Computer Configuration

The lab computers are to be kept as standard as possible. Individual software updates, patches, and software additions should be considered for all computers at once rather than ad hoc; it is usually the case that something useful in one lab will prove to be useful generally.

There are two basic configurations, advanced and introductory.

Hardware Configuration

• BIOS

  • Set the boot order so that the hard drive is first

  • Set Onboard Network Interface Controller to Enable with PXE

  • Snable Remote Wake Up

  • Sisable Low Power Mode

• Cables

  • Use velcro to fasten power and data cords to the legs of the cart (use other carts as an example of this)
  • Nothing should drag on the floor when the cart is disconnected and moved
  • All USB cables should be attached to the back of the computer. In the case of USB floppy drives, these can be attached on the back of the monitor because of the very short cord

• Labeling

  • Put a fxz<RoomNumber><N> (e.g. fxz33105) label on the upper-right of the monitor and on the (unused) floppy cover of the tower case

  • Computer number 1 (the N above) should be the one closest to the printer, where needed, proceed in ascending order counter-clockwise around the room (as seen from above)

Advanced

Introductory

Images

Lab images are stored, compressed on DRBL. These are in the /home/partimage/<imgName> directory. There are usually about four or five images kept at a time. For details on the images and the imaging process, please see lab_imaging.pdf.

Images of this type are named <level>-<semester><year>-rev<n> on the imaging computer, DRBL. The parts are level, "adv" or "intr"; semester, "fall" or "spring"; year, "2010", for example; n is a revision number, used only for small changes to the same basic image.