Jefferson Lab Computer Center News and Updates

jlabl3 out of service until noon today

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:48:29 EDT

Jlabl3 is out of service due to a hardware failure. It should be back in service by Noon today, Friday July 11.

Pager Outage

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:35:52 EDT

Jefferson Lab is currently experiencing a partial outage of paging services. Alpha paging using web-based and e-mail utilities continue to function properly, but dial-up paging is not functional. The service provider does not currently have an estimated time to repair. We will provide additional information as it becomes available, until then please verbally confirm that all pager messages have been received, particularly if they are mission critical.

Pager Outage

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:35:08 EDT

Some WIKI 's unavaliable, 3pm, June 10

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:59:41 EDT

Several Computer Center supported WIKI 's are unavailable due to database hardware failure. Computer Center staff are working on the restoration of these services now. Services are expected to be restored before the end of tonights scheduled maintenance activities.

jlab_secure Wireless Users Must Update their systems BEFORE 5/15/08!

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:00:38 EDT

An important certificate used by jlab_secure wireless clients to establish a secure connection to the JLab network will expire on May 15, 2008. Before 8:00 that morning, the wireless servers will be updated with a new certificate. After that time, jlab_secure clients that have not been updated will not be able to connect to jlab_secure. Instructions for updating your system can be found on the web at: http://cc.jlab.org/docs/networks/internal/guide/wireless/wireless_main.html

SciComp Farm Problems

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:06:07 EDT

Starting at 3pm on Monday, the farm network began having problems. Staff worked until 8:30pm when one of the farm switches was identified as the problem. It was removed from the network, and things returned to normal. Overnight the problem began again. Oncall staff worked to find another switch that was causing problems; it was also shut down and the network returned to normal. But once again, the problem has returned. Staff will work today to find the underlying cause and get this resolved. We appreciate your patience.

Web Server Outages Wednesday Morning

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:14:13 EDT

Due to an unexpected automatic update of the Windows AD servers certificates, various web servers (including misportal and other MIS application servers) could not connect to the Windows AD servers to authenticate users. The MIS web servers and application servers have been corrected. We are working on the remaining web servers.

Web Server Outages Wednesday Morning

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:13:30 EDT

Due to an unexpected automatic update of the Windows AD servers certificates, various web servers (including misportal and other MIS application servers) could not connect to the Windows AD servers to authenticate users. The MIX web servers and application servers have been corrected. We are working on the remaining web servers.

Scratch is Unavailable

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 08:45:03 EDT

The scratch area is currently unavailable. We are working to have it back up by the end of the day. Additionally, we will try to save the data currently stored on scratch, but we can not gurantee that at this time.

Don 't Get Tricked into Downloading

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:32:55 EDT

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of Lab computers with trojans, spyware and other malicious software installed. In many cases, these infections can be traced back to a user who has downloaded and installed something from a shady website. Two big areas of concern are false video CODECs and deceptive system tune-up utilities or spyware scanners. If you visit a website that claims you need to have their special CODEC to view their video clips, IT IS PROBABLY A SCAM. Sites like YouTube have been very successful in delivering video without requiring any special software to be installed, and nearly everyone has copied their technique. In almost every case, there is no legitimate need to install anything other than a common video-viewing program such as Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, etc. to watch video on the web. Anything they want you to install is more likely to give them control over your computer instead. We 've also seen a number of systems with so-called "system utilities " or "spyware scanners. " With names like SafeStrip, System Soap Pro, Spyware Shredder, Spy Sheriff (to name but a few), these applications often do not actually do what they claim. THEY ARE USUALLY SCAMS. At best, they may introduce spyware of their own. At worst, they may contain genuinely malicious software designed to hand over control of your PC. Many even lie about problems they are supposed to have found with your system 's performance or security, in order to entice you to "purchase the full version " to fix them. Remember, JLab already provides Norton AntiVirus software, which includes an excellent anti-spyware component, and our CNI staff are constantly working to keep your computer in good running order. Please remember that the ability to download and install software onto your computer is something that should not be taken lightly. If you are having trouble accessing some online multimedia resources, think your computer is running too slowly or are concerned that there might be some spyware on your PC, the safest thing to do is to call the JLab Help Desk at x7155. The security of the Lab 's computers depends on you!

REMINDER: Office 2007 becomes the default this evening

Tue, 4 Mar 2008 13:12:54 EST

Office 2007 will be installed as the default on all CUE managed desktops that have not already installed it as of this evening, Mar 4th. For those of you who were unable to attend the various training sessions on how to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007, the Computer Center has a limited number of pamphlets available at the helpdesk. Please pick one up if you need it. Instructions to set the format for saving documents to be the same as Office 2003 can be found here. Additional information on how non-Windows users can open Office 2007 format files can be found here. Instructions on how to save documents in Office 2003 formats can be found here. As always, if you have difficulty using this software, please call or visit the Computer Center helpdesk.

PINE configuration changes

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:14:08 EST

Users of the Pine email program are required to make the following changes prior to the Feb 12, 2008 maintenance day.

Instructions to setup Pine as a IMAP client are here.

NOTE: Pine is now only supported on the Linux machines, jlabl1, jlabl2 and jlabl3 (coming soon). Pine is no longer supported on jlabs1,jlabs2, and ifarms1.

Network Registration and Asset Management

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:32:27 EDT

DOE cyber security guidelines require that we maintain a database of machines on the Jefferson Lab network. As part of this, users are required to register their machines at this web page
NetManager

If your machine gets its address automatically (DHCP), your machine name on the registration page may be different than you expect, but please proceed anyway. If you are unsure about your machine 's registration, you may visit the above web page to update your registrations.

After May 1st, user machines that are not registered will be in jeopardy of being removed from the network without notice.

Please note that this does not apply to networks managed by the accelerator controls group or machines in building 98.

Users of laptops who access the network in both wired and wireless modes should register on both networks. Machines that are on the network infrequently, belong to another institution, or are personal machines should be registered the next time they are connected to the network. New machines should be registered as soon as possible.

Further questions should be directed to the help desk, x7155, or helpdesk@jlab.org.

Thank you for your help in this process.