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Policy summary

All equipment purchased by Research or Departmental funds that is to be added to the network in Chemistry must be configured and set up using standard procedures managed by the IT team.

Situation

Currently some IT desktop equipment purchased by Research Groups is being configured without the standards and utilities that have been developed by the IT team. This leads to many support issues including:

  • No virus software or no virus software updates
  • No O/S updates which represent a major security vulnerability and is also the cause of extra support calls
  • Proliferation of shared accounts which are expressly against the Cambridge University Data Network access policy
  • Excessive time spent by Computer Officers supporting equipment that has not been set up in a standard fashion
  • Lack of automated system monitoring, which means that service threatening events go undetected until they become service affecting and impact the user

With the automated tools that the IT team have developed, (re)installing Windows and Linux machines is a fast and responsive process, resulting in fast turnarounds.

Policy Detail

All equipment purchased by Research or Departmental funds that is to be added to the Network in Chemistry must be entered into the Active Directory.

All Desktop Machines must use the standard build.

For Windows and Linux the automated installation scripts must be used. Exceptions must be approved in writing by the IT manager.

Laptops may use the standard build on user request and are encouraged to do so where possible.

Scope

This Policy applies to all equipment that is purchased by departmental or research funding. Personal Machines may be managed in the same way on user request; however personal machines that are attached to the University Network must still comply with the Department network usage policy.

System status 

System monitoring page

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