For Cornell computers which are self-supported, you may want some of Chemistry IT's optional assistance. Pick and choose from the deli-order style offerings on this page!Table of contents

See also

Summary

Even if you are self-supporting a Cornell-purchased computer, we can help you set it up, if you'd like. Below are the services we provide.

Choice A: No services, please. I prefer to set up my own computer.

  • If it's new, I would like it just as it comes from Dell, Apple, etc.
    • Chemistry IT requires some information for their departmental inventory. Please ask us about what is required, and thank you for your cooperation.

If it is a used computer, here is what I would like from Chemistry IT:

No operating systemLatest Windows OSLatest MacOS

Latest CentOS
Linux

Notes
    

(To be clear, if it's a brand-new system, you can get the factory install, untouched by Chemistry IT.)

If Chemistry IT installs an OS, it is a "base", factory-like OS (Windows or macOS).

  • Cornell's license requires the Windows OS to check-in with Cornell's license server at least every 6 months.

Please note:

  • Chemistry IT is available for computer and device consultations, low-price purchasing, and advocating on your behalf to select vendors.

  • Some researchers can instead obtain a Windows OS installation via DreamSpark:

Choice B: Yes, please do some set-up for the computer I will self-support.

Here is what I would like from Chemistry IT:

ServiceYesNoNotes

Chemistry IT installs the most current OS (Mac or Windows), with updates. And Chemistry IT temporarily uses the base administrative account for any installs requested, below.

Required, if choosing Choice B.n/a

Required by Chemistry IT to do any set-ups below.

Chemistry IT creates a temporary Admin p/w to user afterwards, for them to change immediately.

  • Chemistry IT staff do not continue having system's Admin p/w.

Anti-virus software (optionally Cornell-licensed)

  

For Macs

Either install free 3rd-party tools. CIT's instructions:

Or request installation of Cornell-licensed Microsoft SCEP for Macs, by Chemistry IT staff.

  • Installation *.dmg file can only be obtained by Cornell staff via download. Not available for download to graduate students, unfortunately.

For Windows

Either install free Windows-native tool (such as Microsoft's Windows Defender). CIT's instructions:

Or request installation of Cornell-licensed Microsoft SCEP for Windows, by Chemistry IT staff.

Microsoft Office (Cornell-licensed)

Mac: If using ChemDraw, see also:

  

Either install Microsoft Office from your Cornell-licensed Office 365 account, using one of your 5 allocations.

Or request installation by Chemistry IT.

  • The installed version requires software to check-in with Cornell's license server at least every 6 months.
Printer drivers and configuration for group printers  

Either install and configure these yourself. Chemistry IT's documentation:

Or request installation and configuration by Chemistry IT, to print to your group printers.

  • Pleas specify printers desired.
Optional: Adobe Acrobat, full version (Cornell-licensed)  

Either install this yourself. It is permitted since it's a Cornell-owned computer. However, there are hoops for user to get a Cornell-funded license.

Or request installation by Chemistry IT.

Optional: Adobe Creative Suite CS (Cornell-licensed)  

Either install this yourself. Permitted since it's a Cornell-owned computer. However, there are even more hoops for user to get a Cornell-funded license. Such as having to provide an account number to the CU Software Team, even thought it does not get charged.

http://www.it.cornell.edu/services/software_licensing/available/adobe.cfm#cloud

http://www.it.cornell.edu/services/software_licensing/available/Adobe-Creative-Cloud-Enterprise-Licensing.cfm#cc

Or request installation by Chemistry IT.

Firefox (optionally ESR)  

Either install this yourself. Chemistry IT recommend installing the ESR version. More on ESR:

Or request installation of the ESR version by Chemistry IT.

 Other considerations for self-supported systems

  • Details related to the above options are captured on this page:
  • Please create and use a user-level (non-Admin) account for your day-to-day user account.
    • Cornell policy requires this, especially of Cornell-owned computers.
  • Back-ups and restore services.
    • User can have group pay for EZ-Backup and ChemIT can assist administratively.
    • Alternatively, ensure user keeps critical files on group's file share or other off-device location.
  • Configure user-level accounts for optimal use, including mail and calendaring set-ups, shortcuts, deleting default-intalled cruft, etc.

A self-supported computer will not have all the capabilities of a managed computer, unfortunately

  • There is no ability to create accounts automatically based on Cornell's Active Directory service, thus enabling single-sign-on (SSO) using Cornell's NetID credentials.
    • In Windows, this enable automatic passing of log-on credentials to networked services, such as most group file shares.
  • There is no admin account for Chemistry IT's use.
  • There is no monitoring and central updates of anti-malware software.
  • There are no updates managed by Chemistry IT of a broad range of OS and applications.
  • There is no automatic or other direct support for the upcoming (Jan 1, 2017) encryption requirement by Cornell. Key escrow services will thus be manual, and perhaps more prone to errors.

Supplemental keywords: self-managed

  • No labels