IT @ GT
Information Technology
Guide for Students
Help when you need IT
How to use this guide
Welcome to Georgia Tech! This guide will explain and provide you with assistance getting
started with technology associated with Georgia Tech. For the various campus locations
located in this guide, please visit http://map.gtalumni.org/campusmap.pdf.
In addition to this guide - phone, email, and walk-in support is available from the Technology
Support Center and ResNet.
The TechnologySupport Center is located in Suite 215 of the Clough Commons, behind
the Grand Stair, and provides walk-in, phone, and email support regarding many matters
related to technology, including account management, wireless configuration, as well as
The Technology Support Center provides a variety of services like GT
Account management, wireless configuration, virus & spyware removal, OIT
software distribution, How-to clinics, and more!
The highly-trained, courteous staff at the TSC are available
phone, email, and walk-in support Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm.
for
For a complete list of support available & links to other resources or to
request help online, please visit the TSC website.
call
located
email
visit
(404) 894­–7173
Clough Commons Suite 215
support@oit.gatech.edu
http://tsc.oit.gatech.edu
LIVING ON
CAMPUS?
ResNet works exclusively with campus residents, providing support for
residential cable TV, GT wireless (LAWN) and wired (LAN) connections, network
configuration for gaming consoles and a large variety of technical devices upon
request.
ResNet is the only residential technology support group on campus which can
assist you within the residence halls. During Fall move-in week and weekend,
we’ll be knocking on your residence door to offer IT support and technical
assistance.
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ResNet provides technical assistance with on-campus housing wired (LAN)
& wireless (GTwifi) connections, network configuration for gaming consoles,
CATV (cable TV) and support for virtually any technology you need. Campus
cable boasts over 120 channels, spanning a wide variety of programming.
A substantial number of channels are in foreign languages.
Residential networking consists of high-speed connections wired directly
into rooms. There is exceptional wireless coverage in buildings and nearby
outdoor spaces all over campus.
Gamers can find a home on our wired (LAN) network for their PS3, Xbox 360
and Nintendo Wii. Please refer to http://resnet.gatech.edu/gamingsystems/
for console connection instructions as the setup procedure will be different
from a home network. Plan ahead and follow the instructions.
You can register up to five (5) devices on your room wired (LAN) port.
You can also use a router, but be aware that it is against Georgia Tech Policy
to broadcast your own wireless signal.
Don’t get caught broadcasting your own private wireless signal (even with
a hidden SSID).
ResNet offers residents assistance with Windows, Linux, and Mac machines,
including walk-in support for operating system diagnostics/troubleshooting
and malware/virus removal. Additional support for a variety of technical
products (mobile devices, gaming consoles, servers, etc.) is available by
calling the ResNet office or submitting a help request on the ResNet website.
The ResNet professional and student staff wish you good luck as you begin
your journey at Georgia Tech, and remember that help is available when
you need IT. We’ll see you in your residence and in the hallways during
Fall move-in week and weekend! ResNet is IT when it comes to being your
residential technology support staff.
call
(404) 894­–0444
located Freeman Residence Hall
(6th Street entrance)
Monday-Thursday
10am-7pm
Friday 10am-5pm
email support@resnet.gatech.edu
visit http://resnet.gatech.edu
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Getting Started
GT Account
My GaTech
Georgia Tech offers a number
of tools and services for Institute
students, faculty, and staff. To
identify yourself to the campus
network and enable access to
these resources, you have been
assigned a GT Account.
The My GaTech system is the official
campus email and calendar service
operated by the Office of Information
Technology. It is a highly flexible,
Web 2.0 application package that
is powered by VMware Zimbra
software.
Your default email address is your
GTAccount@gatech.edu, but you
can create your own custom email
alias after activating your account
and logging into PASSPORT at
http://passport.gatech.edu
PASSPORT is the user gateway
for all GT Account self‑service
functions, including most account
and password related issues.
You can access My GaTech via the
webclient at http://my.gatech.edu,
Apple Mail & iCal, Outlook, and from
your computer and mobile devices.
To use the My GaTech service, you
must have an active GT Account.
T-Square
T-Square is a collaboration and
learning environment powered by
the Sakai platform, a free and open
source product.
Many instructors use T-Square as
an online collaboration tool to post
announcements, class materials,
assignments, grades, and other
class related resources. Students
can also use it to create their own
collaboration spaces outside of
courses.
Check out the T-Square site at
https://t-square.gatech.edu/portal
Buzzport.gatech.edu
Some campus services may
require your gtID#. You can find
your number under the barcode
on the front of your BuzzCard.
More than just a photo ID,
you’ll use your BuzzCard for
admission to campus events,
purchases, meal plans & more.
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is Georgia Tech’s campus
portal
system.
Buzzport
makes it easier for students
to locate and access the web
resources that they need at
GT.
Buzzport provides one click
access to many of the most
popular web systems at GT
while
providing
students
dashboard views to email,
calendaring, course pages,
and registration.
LAWN (Wireless)
LAWN (Wireless/Wi-Fi) The Georgia
Tech LAWN (Local Area Walkup &
Wireless Network) access is enabled
for all students, faculty, and staff with
a valid GT Account. With very few
exceptions, every building on all three
Georgia Tech campuses has wireless
coverage, including all classrooms
and most labs, common spaces,
and offices. Wired LAWN ports are
available in a variety of locations off
campus as well.
LAWN works with most modern
laptops, smart phones, and other
devices
which
support
Wi-Fi
(802.11a/g/n). All student laptops
must support 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz
802.11n Wi-Fi for use on campus,
and we highly recommend this for
other Wi-Fi devices when possible.
Most Wi-Fi enabled devices and
operating systems can connect to
LAWN using the GTwifi wireless
network (SSID). Once selected,
enter your GT account username
& password, accept the gtwpa.
lawn.gatech.edu certificate, and (if
necessary) select “PEAP” for the EAP
type and designate “MS-CHAPv2” as
the authentication method.
For specific information about
configuring your devices for LAWN
visit
http://www.lawn.gatech.edu,
Resnet, or the Technology Support
Center.
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Computer Labs
The Office of Information Technology supports computer clusters in the
Student Center and the Library Commons. These spaces are designed
for individual and group productivity and include hardware and software
specific to the academic learning environment.
For more information on OIT labs, visit:
http://www.oit.gatech.edu/service/computer-labs/computer-clusters
Library Commons
The Commons at the Georgia Tech Library represents the services that every
Georgia Tech student needs to be successful during his or her academic
career. The Library and the Office of Information Technology (OIT) have
partnered with other Georgia Tech departments to provide comprehensive
support, cutting-edge technology, and facilitating environments to help
students do their best work.
The Commons includes:
-- West Commons (LWC)
-- Multimedia Studio
-- Presentation Rehearsal Studio
-- East Commons (LEC)
-- 2West
For more information on the Commons, including computer availability,
software, and upcoming events, visit http://library.gatech.edu
Library West Commons (LWC)
The LWC Productivity Computer Cluster is equipped with a wide variety of
productivity software such as MATLAB, Microsoft Office, and AutoCAD.
There are also several flat-bed scanners in the horsehoes of the cluster.
computer clusters
East Commons (LEC)
The LEC was designed for group collaboration and has forty workstations
distributed throughout three zones: four visitor computers, six walk-up
computers, and thirty computers at collaborative stations. Anyone can
use the visitor computers in Zone 5, but all other computers in the LEC
require an active GT Account to log on.
Library 2West
The second floor of the Library West Commons was recently renovated
to provide additional group collaboration/study areas including moveable
furniture, whiteboards, walk-up computers, individual study areas, and
hardware and software enhancing the group collaboration process.
VLab
The VLAB (Virtual Lab), funded by the technology fee, is a project whose
primary purpose is to enable remote access to software normally only
available in campus computer labs. Depending on your class enrollment,
you may be eligible for access to virtual computing offered by VLab.
Additional information is available at http://mydesk.gatech.edu
Departmental Computer Labs/Clusters
Additional computer labs and clusters are available across campus and
are traditionally maintained by the respective schools and colleges. Talk to
your program director/advisor for additional information about computer
accessibility within departments, as well as any additional software
requirements as part of your major.
Multimedia Studio
The Multimedia Studio is equipped high-performance Mac workstations
with a wide variety of multimedia applications including much of the Adobe
Creative Suite, iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Maya 3D. The space also includes
DV/DVD decks, large platform scanners, and knowledgeable staff who can
help answer some of your questions related to multimedia projects.
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Printing@OIT
Printers and Options
Much of the printing on campus is managed by the Office of Information
Technology via Pharos stations. Printing options in most locations include
a variation of Black, Color, & Staple (black printer that can staple and
hole-punch jobs).
Every printer has Letter (8½x11”) and Tabloid-sized (11x17”) paper.
Library Commons printers default to duplex (double sided), but this can
be changed in the print dialog.
Weekly Allocation
Students receive an allocation of $2.20 each week for printing in the
Library Commons and Student Center computer clusters. The allocation
resets every Friday at 12:01am, and any remaining balance does not
rollover from one week to the next. Prints are 4¢ per page for the Black
and Staple printers, 19¢ per page for the Color printer.
If you exhaust your allowance, prints are deducted from your BuzzCard
funds. If you need to put more money on your BuzzCard, you can make
cash deposits at kiosks in the LEC (by the elevators), Student Center (by
the Box Office), or with a credit card on the BuzzCard website.
Releasing Jobs
After sending a print job, you must release the print. Release Stations
are located beside the printers, where you are required to login with your
GT Account and swipe your BuzzCard. Pending jobs, the total charge
each print, the amount of unused print allowance, and available funds
on your BuzzCard will populate on the screen. You will have the option of
releasing the prints or deleting them.
Mobile Printing
Students may send print jobs from their own computers by downloading
and installing the OIT mobile print packages available at
http://software.oit.gatech.edu Keep in mind that you must be on the
campus network (via a wired connection, VPN, or on LAWN) in order
to send a mobile print. With the exception of Central-PS, mobile jobs
will be released like other prints.
Central Printing
Central-PS is a print service that does not deduct from your weekly
allowance. This is ideal for larger print jobs that do not exceed the
500 page limit, like class notes and journal articles. Before you print to
Central-PS, you should keep in mind:
•
You must have printed prior to this in the Library or Student
Center to be added to the database of authenticated users for
Central-PS
•
Copyright infringement is strictly prohibited. Failure to adhere to
Institute policy will initiate infringement processing.
•
Anticipate a 2½ hour turnaround. Jobs sent after 3:00pm should
not be expected until the next day delivery time.
•
You do not need to release Central-PS prints
•
You can pick up your Central-PS prints in the lockers located in
the Student Center Computer Cluster*
Delivery Times
Monday
8:00am, 9:00am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm
Tuesday-Friday
9:00am,12:30pm, 4:30pm
Saturday-Sunday no deliveries
* After three days, unclaimed prints will be recycled.
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GT Journey
This project is an opportunity for all members
of the Georgia Tech community to collaborate
on applications and solutions that benefit the
campus. Georgia Tech benefits from the diverse
expertise and interests of its students, faculty,
staff and alumni.
GT Journey is a virtual focal point for students,
faculty, and staff to develop ideas and solutions,
find technical support and resources, advertise
and access campus data, and share applications
and experiences.
Visit m.gatech.edu on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to explore campus
applications built by your fellow students; including bus tracking, maps, directory,
augmented reality tours, and more. To get involved, visit gtmob.gatech.edu
Online Training
Georgia Tech has unlimited online training available for all students. Lynda is an
online subscription service library that offers courses in the latest software tools
and skills through high-quality instructional videos taught by recognized industry
experts. Please visit http://lynda.gatech.edu 24x7 for courses in topics like:
AutoCAD, C++, Adobe Photoshop, XML, Dreamweaver and more.
There are more than 1,100 courses available and new titles being added weekly.
Lynda services are designed for all levels of learners and is available whenever
you’re ready to learn. Certificates of Completion are available for anyone who
completes the course tests. You can view it on your iPhone or iPad, too.
Log in for training using your GT credentials at http://lynda.gatech.edu.
Student Computer Ownership
Recommended Hardware
Form factor: Notebook
Processor: 64 bit Multi-core processor or better
Memory:
8GB or more
HD capacity: 128GB solid state drive or 250GB hard disc drive or larger
Ext HD size: For local backup, an external hard drive with double the size of
the internal hard drive or a subscription to a cloud based backup
solution like Crashplan is highly recommended
Networking: Dual-Band (2.4 GHz/5 GHz) Wireless 802.11n capable
Accessories: DVD writer, USB Flash drive, Ethernet cable, laptop lock
Learn more about Georgia Tech Student Computer Ownership at
http://sco.gatech.edu
Free & Discounted Software
The Office of Information Technology has made agreements with various
software distributors in order to supply the campus with their software needs.
To download available software, including mobile print packages and antivirus
software, and for links to other sources for free and discounted software,visit the
online distribution page at http://software.oit.gatech.edu
Anti-Virus Protection
We recommend that everyone use Anti-Virus Software in the form of the
following software applications. Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) for PCs
http://www.microsoft.com/ and Sophos Anti-virus for Macs
http://www.sophos.com/. MSE can be downloaded directly from Microsoft’s
website.
The preferred method is to download MSE via Microsoft Update in Windows
Update because it ensures that there are no other Anti-Virus products installed
that could cause conflicts later.
This applies to Windows 7 and Windows Vista computers. Windows 8 already
comes with an Anti-Virus product installed, which is the same as MSE, this
product was recently renamed Windows Defender.
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Important Security tips
In an effort to reduce attacks on the Georgia Tech infrastructure as well as the
importance of securing the “end points” that access the Georgia Tech network,
OIT has provided the following tips to help keep your computer and the GT
infrastructure secure.
•
Back up your computer regularly and keep software applications, operating
systems, and security patches current.
Windows: http://www.update.microsoft.com
Apple: http://www.apple.com/support/security
•
Create strong passwords and do not share them with anyone for any
reason. A strong password has a minimum eleven characters, uses a
combination of numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and uses at least one
special character (such as !@#$%^&*).
•
Log off, lock your screen, or use a password-activated screensaver when
stepping away from your computer.
•
Limit the amount of personally identifiable information such as social security
number, income tax records, credit card numbers, and banking information
you store on your computer. If your computer is lost or stolen this can be
valuable information.
•
Limit the amount of personal information you post when using social
networking technologies such as Facebook and Twitter.
•
The purchase of a theft protection service such as LoJack that can assist
with tracking, locating and recovering a stolen laptop or desktop computer
should be considered. Unattended laptops are an easy target for theft.
•
Register your laptop with the GT Police Department by completing the form
located at http://police.gatech.edu/services/property/. This assists
GTPD with returning your computer if found. If your computer is lost or
stolen, immediately contact the GT Police Department at (404) 894-2500 to
obtain a police report.
•
Illegal downloads, uploads, installs, copies, storage, or redistribution of
copyrighted material such as music, movies, software applications, and
television shows is against Institute policy. Take a moment to read the
Georgia Tech Computer & Network Usage and Security Policy.
http://www.oit.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/CNUSP_new.pdf
•
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Access to Georgia Tech’s computers and networks is a priviledge and
students are responsible for reading and being compliant with this policy.