July 27th, 2007 by Isaac Straley
NACS is always looking for new ways to protect users on UCInet from network-based attacks. One upcoming strategy is to deny inbound connections to campus computers except the ones that have been approved in advance by faculty and staff. This will protect most campus systems from unauthorized access while preserving off-campus connectivity wherever it is needed.
The process of allowing authorizing specific off-campus connections is called “server registration” although it is not limited to servers in the traditional sense. If you own or manage one of the relatively few computers that needs to accept network connections from off campus, you can specify what kind of access is needed on the server registration form: http://www.nacs.uci.edu/network/servers/registration.php .
The form offers a simplified process for common situations, such as remote access (SSH & Remote Desktop Protocol), or systems that really are servers and are already protected by firewalls. If you manage a large number of systems, you can register them as a group by email request to security@uci.edu .
A more complete description of this service, and frequently asked questions can be found at: http://www.nacs.uci.edu/network/servers/ .
July 27th, 2007 by Francisco Lopez
If you own and use a single Unix or Windows workstation, the effort required for system administration (maintenance, security, software licensing, and user support) is usually not an unreasonable burden. But if you have a group of systems, this can drain precious resources away from your research or other duties.
NACS Distributed Computing Support (DCS) now offers a cost-effective alternative. DCS can help you acquire, set up, configure, and maintain a client/server environment based on SunRay™ workstations instead of individual computers.
SunRay™ workstations are “smart terminals” which boot off the network, and then behave just as if they were independent Unix or Windows workstations. The SunRay™ client machines have jacks for connecting keyboard, mouse, display, and USB devices, as well as local memory, but leave everything else to the server.
The operating system (Windows or Unix), and all the application software your users need are installed on a single server. One copy is much easier and cheaper to keep up to date, and when new applications are needed, installing once is much faster than managing multiple independent workstations. (You still need to be sure you are licensed to run as many copies of the software as you need.)
This service may be of particular interest to people responsible for setting up and maintaining instructional labs, or researchers who oversee a large number of graduate students to whom you supply computers. If you are interested in exploring whether this technology can help you, contact NACS.
July 27th, 2007 by Carol Jackson
I have forgotten my UCInetID password. What can I do now?
- Access the UCInetID Web form at: http://activate.uci.edu/ .
- Click on “I forgot my password.”
- You will be asked to prove your identity with your UCInetID, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number.
- Once you have correctly entered that information, you will be asked the password reset question you supplied when you activated your UCInetID.
If you do not have a password question on file, or if you are unable to answer the question, you will have to visit the NACS Response Center in E2130 Engineering Gateway with photo ID. We can reset your UCInetID, at which point you will be able to reactivate it, choosing a new password and establishing a password reset question.
How do I set up my laptop to connect to the wireless network at UCI?
In most cases, there are three basic steps.
- Determine the network address of your wireless network device.
- Register that address using your UCInetID and password.
- Configure your laptop to connect to UCI’s wireless network, UCInet Mobile Access.
Instructions for finding the network address of your wireless card are at: http://www.nacs.uci.edu/mobile/find_mac.html .
Registration of that address can be done at: http://www.nacs.uci.edu/mobile/registration/index.php .
Advice for configuring your system to connect to UCInet Mobile Access can be found at: http://www.nacs.uci.edu/mobile/configure.html .
Can I change my UCI email address?
Email addresses by default are based on your UCInetID and take the form “UCInetID@uci.edu”.
There are two basic ways you can alter the email address you use at UCI.
- The simplest way is to choose a “My.Name@uci.edu” address. This service allows faculty and staff to choose a more natural email address based on their name, while keeping their existing UCInetID. (This option is not presently available to students.)To make this request, visit the My.Name page at: http://www.nacs.uci.edu/email/my.name.php .
- If you need to, you can change your UCInetID. Please visit this web page for more information: http://www.nacs.uci.edu/ucinetid/change-policy.html .