IMSS Systems Maintenance -- Thursday, May 17, 6:30PM-12:00AM

Submitted by wlo on Tue, 05/15/2012 - 00:00

IMSS' bi-weekly systems maintenance will occur Thursday, May 17th from 6:30PM to 12:00AM. Not all systems will be taken offline, but please note that some services and applications may be intermittently unavailable during this maintenance period. If you have a computer that is managed by IMSS, we recommend that you leave it powered on overnight so it can receive updates. Please be advised that your computer will automatically reboot after the updates have been installed. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact the Help Desk (x3500, help@caltech.edu.)

Matlab Servers to be Campus Restricted

Submitted by wlo on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 10:20

Effective May 17th, access to the Matlab license servers will be restricted to the campus networks (same as software.caltech.edu.) This means that if using Matlab from off campus, you will need to use VPN. We are making this change as part of an effort to ensure that Matlab resources are being used only for Caltech purposes and to discourage use by those not affiliated with Caltech. If you have not previously signed up for VPN access, you can do so at http://imss.caltech.edu/help/vpn-signup-form. Existing VPN users can connect to Caltech's network via https://vpn.caltech.edu. If you have any questions about this, please contact the IMSS Software Licensing Group (software@caltech.edu.)

Java Vulnerabilities

Submitted by wlo on Tue, 04/17/2012 - 11:49

All computers with Java installed need to be updated to the current version as soon as possible. Macintoshes are being infected at a rapid rate by a malicious program called Flashback, which exploits recent Java vulnerabilities via malicious websites. Mac users should update using Apple's Software Update as soon as possible. Windows computers are also vulnerable to a variety of malicious programs that take advantage of out-of-date Java plugins. Windows users should update to the most recent Java by visiting the Java site. Mac users who run MacOS 10.5.x (Leopard) or earlier, be advised that your Mac will no longer be receiving updates. Java should be turned off entirely in that case. It's also a good idea to take this time to be sure all of your browser plugins are up to date. In addition to keeping browser plugins up to date, leave them turned off unless actually planning to use them on a given site.

High Performance Computing (HPC) Service

Submitted by wlo on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 00:00

IMSS now offers a High Performance Computing (HPC) pay-as-you-go service. This service is ideal for faculty and research groups that do not have the resources to run their own HPC systems, which usually require large financial resources to maintain the required hardware and infrastructure. With IMSS' HPC service, you simply pay based upon usage and storage. For additional details and pricing, please visit http://imss.caltech.edu/help/hpc or email help-hpc@caltech.edu.

Problems with BeaverNet Connections and Upcoming Linux Versions

Submitted by wlo on Tue, 04/24/2012 - 16:29

Linux users should be aware that pre-release versions of Ubuntu 12.04 have failed to establish certain types of encrypted wireless connections. The encryption used by Caltech BeaverNet is one of them. If you use Linux, and wireless is vital to your life and work at Caltech, please consider carefully before upgrading to the new version. Other Linux distributions are affected as well. Upgrades to your existing Linux version should not be affected.

New Campus Resource: forms.caltech.edu

Submitted by wlo on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 08:32

IMSS announces a new resource for finding campus forms in one central location: http://forms.caltech.edu. The forms site is organized by department and it offers a form search function. To add or update any forms, please e-mail forms@caltech.edu.

Google captchas while using Caltech Wireless

Submitted by wlo on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 09:00

Recently, users on the Caltech wireless networks have had Google searches interrupted by a "captcha", which Google uses to prevent automated software programs from abusing Google's services. Caltech's wireless networks use Network Address Translation (NAT) to conserve public IP addresses, which can trigger Google's detection mechanism, since multiple computers will share one IP address. Encountering a captcha while using Caltech wireless networks does not necessarily indicate that anything is wrong with a user's computer. This is simply a change that Google has made to attempt to verify that a human is accessing their services.

Microsoft Office 2010 Training

Submitted by wlo on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 00:00

Computer based training (CBT) videos for Microsoft Office 2010 are available at http://tutorials.caltech.edu/office2010. Get familiar with the Office 2010 ribbon and with basic tasks in Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access and OneNote. Note that access to these videos requires a Caltech network connection; if you are off campus, please use VPN.

DropBox for Exchanging Large Files

Submitted by wlo on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 00:00

The Caltech DropBox is a file exchange center for files too large to be sent via e-mail. Since the Caltech mail system limits e-mail attachment sizes, DropBox is a great alternative for sending files up to 2GB. DropBox does not require the use of a special client and can be used with all operating systems. The URL for each uploaded file is unique and randomized and files are deleted after 24 hours. To begin using DropBox, go to http://dropbox.caltech.edu.

IMSS Remote Help

Submitted by wlo on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 00:00

IMSS now offers a Remote Help tool that allows you to remotely share your Windows or Mac desktop with our Help Desk support team. For most issues, this tool allows us to assist you without having to make a site visit, so problems are resolved faster and more efficiently. Remote Help is simple to use and secure -- please visit http://imss.caltech.edu/help/remotehelp for more information.

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