WPI Information Technology - Information for New Students

The Information Technology Division would like to welcome you to WPI!

WPI offers its students access to a wide range information technology resources. It may take some time to get acquainted with all the offerings. Bringing a computer to campus and attaching it to our high-speed residential network or convenient wireless network has many advantages but can also generate some questions. Information Technology (IT) staff have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) and their answers to help you get started.

Getting Help	helpdesk@wpi.edu http://www.wpi.edu/+helpdesk

Q: Can I get help with technology-related questions?

A: Absolutely! The Helpdesk exists to answer your technology-related questions and help you make the best use of WPI's IT resources. Whenever you have a question, do not hesitate to check the Helpdesk website at: www.wpi.edu/+helpdesk or contact the Helpdesk directly by calling 508.831.5888 or e-mail helpdesk@wpi.edu.

Please Note: The Helpdesk cannot provide support for personally owned computer issues (like a failed hard drive or broken keyboard), so be sure to keep handy your vendor contact information. If any problems arise, you will want to contact the vendor to invoke your warranty.

Accounts	Maintain Your Accounts: http://www.wpi.edu/+accounts

Q: What should I choose for my WPI username?

A: WPI allows you to choose your own username (up to 16 characters), with this choice comes the responsibility to choose wisely. Once your username has been selected, it cannot be changed. Here are a few things to consider: Does the username accurately represent you to others? Is it something that you want your professors to associate with you? Is it something you’ll want on your resume when you look for a job four years from now?

If your name is	Good potential usernames	Poor choices
John Joseph Doe	jjdoe, jdoe, jjd, johndoe, john, jdoe, johnjosephdoe	doester, doughboy, jd14065, yoda, dawg
Mary Jane Doe	mjdoe, mjd, maryd, marydoe, maryjane, maryjanedoe	mathwiz, hotstuff, mj35672, giggles

Q: What are the WPI computer accounts and how do I create them?

A: WPI computer accounts act as your virtual identity, define your e-mail address, and grant you access to WPI IT resources. To create your WPI Computer accounts, you will need to use your WPI Student ID to login to the Web Information System and set your Personal Identification Number (PIN). (Information on how to do this is provided by the Registrar's Office.)

Once logged into the Web Information System (bannerweb.wpi.edu), locate Personal Information which contains a link to Computer Account Settings. To create your computer accounts, click the Computer Account Settings link and follow the directions to choose a username and password which will create your WPI computer accounts. The username you select will be used for all of your WPI computer accounts. Please review the following webpages for more information:

Q: What is Exchange e-mail and how is it going to help me at WPI?

Exchange offers productivity-enhancing features that are not available in other mailers. The Exchange mailbox provides access to e-mail, and calendars, available via Outlook Web Access (OWA), the Microsoft Outlook client, or any other standard mail reader. Your Exchange mailbox allows you to manage a calendar, a to-do list (tasks), notes, and many other features that support WPI's project-based approach to education.

Web-based e-mail access
Calendar

Helps with time management
Supports project based learning by making it easier to schedule group meetings

Task management with Outlook Tasks
Ability to create rules & junk mail filters
Secure & private e-mail

Networking	Network Operations: http://www.wpi.edu/+netops

Q: How can I connect my computer to the WPI network and the Internet?

Residential Networking - available to students who live in an on-campus residence hall
A GigE switched Residential Networking (ResNet) connection is included in the residence hall room fee. Additional systems can be connected to your port via a hub or switch at the rate of $20 per additional IP address. ResNet enables access to the Internet and to most software and printers available in public labs. Staff will be available during New Student Orientation (NSO) to assist you with setting up your wired ResNet connection.
Wireless Networking - available to all registered students
All the residence halls and nearly every academic building on campus are equipped with 802.11a/b/g wireless networking. Laptops with wireless access are available for loan in the George C. Gordon Library and the Campus Center. Our Network Operations and Security department has wireless cards for laptops available to purchase. For more information, please see http://www.wpi.edu/+netops/Wireless

Q: Are routers or wireless access points allowed on the WPI Network?

A: No - these devices are NOT allowed on the WPI Network. Please read the WPI Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) (http://www.wpi.edu/+aup) to find out more about what is allowed on the WPI Network. The Prohibited Activities page has more information as well.

Q: How can I access IT resources while working from off-campus?

A: WPI provides several services to access our digital resources while working from off-campus. The following section supplies a brief explanation of those services & links to webpages with more information.

VPN

The VPN is a secure connection to WPI that allows encrypted access to the same resources as if you were on campus. With it, you may access network shares (ex: rivet.wpi.edu\applications) or the Terminal Server while working from off-campus. Visit the VPN webpage for more information & instructions on the VPN.

Library Online Resources

The Gordon Library provides access to many of it's periodical's for off-campus perusal. Visit the Searchable Collections webpage to search through their periodicals & the Off-Campus Access webpage for more information on ... off-campus access.

Proxy Server

Once configured, the proxy server treats all of your web traffic as if it is coming from WPI. This allows you to browse the Library catalogs that are restricted to WPI access only. More information may be found at the Using the WPI Proxy Server wegpage.

Terminal Server

The Terminal Server functions as if it is a computer in an on-campus lab, providing you access to most of the programs installed on lab computers. Visit the Terminal Server FAQ webpage for more information.

Outlook Web Access

Outlook Web Access (OWA) offers easy access to your WPI e-mail via a web browser while off-campus. Visit the OWA login page to access your WPI e-mail or the OWA FAQ for more information.

Computers & Software	PC Recommendations: http://www.wpi.edu/+CCC/Student Microsoft® Software @ WPI: http://www.wpi.edu/+CLA

Q: Are students required to purchase their own computers?

A: No, students are not required to purchase a computer. There are hundreds of computers available in on-campus computer labs for students to use. Secure, 24x7 key-card access is available to specific computer labs. However, most students like the convenience of being connected to the WPI Network and Internet in their room.

Q: Can I purchase a computer through WPI?

A: Yes. WPI has made arrangements for special pricing to purchase computers from Dell™ Computer and Lenovo™ (the company that purchased the ThinkPad® laptop series from IBM®). Visit http://www.wpi.edu/+CCC/Student and click Purchasing a Computer through Dell or Lenovo or go to the vendor sites directly:

Dell's WPI website is linked from http://www.wpi.edu/+CCC/Student/dell.html
Lenovo™ website is: http://www.lenovo.com/shop/deals/wpi

Once you are an active WPI student, you are eligible for a general educational discount from the Apple store.

Q: Do I have to purchase a PC through WPI to use it on the network?

A: No. We have students arriving on campus with PCs of all configurations, almost all of which can be configured to operate with the campus resources. Be sure that you are familiar with your vendor’s warranty policy and know how to contact them in the event you need technical support. Also be sure to bring the installation and/or system restore discs with you to campus!
Your PC must be equipped with a ethernet-capable card to connect to the WPI Network. If your computer does not come with one, WPI will have some available for purchase when you arrive on campus in August.

Wired network card requirements	Wireless network card requirements
10/100/1000Base T/TX - Ethernet adapter (RJ-45)	must be 802.11a, b, or g compliant with WPA encryption

Q: Can I use a laptop or tablet computer?

A: Yes. A laptop computer can be used for most of your work at WPI. Tablet PCs are also gaining popularity. It is important to consider the price of a laptop/tablet versus a desktop for the same performance. Also, desktops are generally cheaper and easier to upgrade. Students who find their laptop or tablet lacking the resources they need for a particular project can always make use of the computers in the public labs.

Q: What specifications do you recommend for a computer?

A: The specifications here should provide a reasonable amount of computer power to handle all of the applications presently in use at WPI and will provide a reasonable life span. More detailed information is available on our website http://www.wpi.edu/+CCC/Student under Computer Recommendations

Q: What version of Windows is supported at WPI?

A: Windows XP Pro, XP Tablet Edition, Vista Business and Vista Ultimate Editions all provide the ability to join a Windows domain and will provide full access to all WPI resources. Windows XP Home, XP Media Center Edition, Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium can access many services at WPI but may not be able to access all services and software titles. Students have the option to purchase Windows Vista Ultimate Edition once they arrive on campus.

Q: What if I bring my Mac to campus?

A: Macintosh computers work on our campus network; however much of the academic software that is used here is only available on the Windows or UNIX platforms. We offer a terminal server that is available to Mac users for remote application use for many of the Windows-only software applications. Please note that the Helpdesk does not support dual booting systems.

Q: Do I need to purchase anti-virus software?

A: We have licensed McAfee® VirusScan® Enterprise edition to install on all computers on the WPI network. Most new computers come with a trial version of the anti-virus software. You do not need to purchase the full version of an anti-virus utility, but you should remove the trial version and install McAfee® VirusScan® Enterprise as soon as you arrive on campus.

Q: What software is available for me to use at WPI?

A: WPI offers over 100 academic, design and office productivity software applications. Information about what’s available, including the Microsoft® Campus License Agreement (CLA), can be found at http://www.wpi.edu/+CCC/Software

Maintained by itweb
Last modified: Dec 24, 2009, 09:11 EST