The CAT has been busy throughout the Summer, making some substantial changes to our computer infrastructure. These changes may affect both onsite and remote users. Here are some highlights:

• All Windows systems in computer labs have been migrated to Windows 11.
• All Ubuntu Linux end-user systems have been upgraded to the 24.04 (“noble”) release.
• The old Windows Terminal Server has been retired.
• The Windows Remote Lab and FAB 55-17 (the “intel” lab) computers have been replaced with new hardware. The number of computers has been reduced to better reflect peak usage trends over the last 2-3 years.
• Laptop friendly stations have been added to FAB 55-17 – empty desks with monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
• The CAT has taken over running the MCECS locker rental service.

Keep reading for details.

Are you a new MCECS student user?

The front page of the CAT website includes a “Back to Campus Toolkit” section where you will find links to the following guides and more:

• How to activate your MCECS account or reset your password if you’ve forgotten it
  • https://cat.pdx.edu/users/computer-accounts/using-cram/
• How to get 24×7 card access to FAB/EB and many popular computer labs
  • https://cat.pdx.edu/users/getting-help/card-access-and-lockers/
• How to rent a locker in MCECS
  • https://cat.pdx.edu/users/facilities/locker-rentals/
  • Locker management is now being handled by the CAT
• Information about printing in MCECS computer labs
  • https://cat.pdx.edu/services/printing/
  • Personal laptop users can use a system called Mobility Print that provides an easy way to set up printing to a curated list of popular printers
    • https://cat.pdx.edu/services/printing/mobility-print/
• How to set up a VPN to access various internal resources
  • https://cat.pdx.edu/services/network/vpn-services/
• How to remotely run graphical programs from Linux systems
  • Using VNC – https://cat.pdx.edu/platforms/linux/remote-access/vnc-in-mcecs/
  • Using X forwarding – https://cat.pdx.edu/platforms/linux/remote-access/remote-x/
• Watch out for email scams
  • https://cat.pdx.edu/2024/09/19/back-to-school-phishing-campaigns-are-starting-early-this-fall/

Computer Labs (onsite)

• For a list of onsite computer labs, see:
  • https://cat.pdx.edu/users/facilities/computer-labs/

• You can look at the current computer lab reservation schedules at:
  • https://cat.pdx.edu/users/facilities/lab-reservation-calendars/
• FAB 55-17 (the “intel lab”):
  • The computers have been upgraded with new hardware.
  • The seat count has been reduced to reflect the usage trends of the past few years.
  • The computers are equipped with dual displays.
  • Laptop users have some empty tables with monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
• FAB 88-10 (the CS “penguin” lab) has been upgraded:

• New tables
• New 27” monitors on adjustable arms

• Note the lab rules for Food and Drink in MCECS general computer labs – store food on designated tables, only sealed drink containers are allowed at workstations.
  • https://cat.pdx.edu/users/guidelines/lab-rules/
  • Departmental labs may have more restrictive policies.

Computer Labs (remote access)

The Windows Remote Lab:

• Available to all MCECS users.
• New hardware for all computers.
• Computer count slightly reduced to reflect the drop in remote lab usage with more onsite classes and increased onsite lab use.
• Remote lab computers have all the software available in the general lab Windows systems.

The MME MCAE lab still supports some remotely accessible Windows systems. Use of this lab is restricted to MME students.

Access the remote labs using the Intranet remote lab page:

• https://intranet.cecs.pdx.edu/remote_lab/

Instructions on how to use a Remote Desktop program (client) to connect to remote Windows Systems:

• https://cat.pdx.edu/platforms/windows/remote-access/using-remote-desktop-at-mcecs/

The old Windows Terminal Server has been retired! If you were a user of the terminal server, please switch to using the Windows Remote Lab.

Software

• In Windows Labs – https://cat.pdx.edu/services/software/windows-labs/
  • Windows labs (including the remote lab) are running Windows 11 Enterprise  23H2
  • Currently known Windows 11 caveats in our environment:
    • The sign out button is now harder to find
    • Users moving between supported systems running Windows 11 and Windows 10 may experience some graphical anomalies
    • Moving the centered start menu to the left won’t stick after logging out
    • Getting to the software list requires clicking on the “all apps” selection in the start menu
• In Linux Labs – https://cat.pdx.edu/services/software/linux-labs/
  • Ubuntu systems have been upgraded to the latest LTS release – 24.04 (Noble)
    • Python 2 has been completely deprecated
    • We have set up Plasma (KDE) as the default desktop. Gnome Shell can still be selected if needed
    • The xrdp service has been installed on all primary end-usee Ubuntu and Centos 7 systems – provides easier path to getting a remote graphical desktop
  • ECE CentOS systems still run Centos 7
• Software for users to install on personal systems – https://cat.pdx.edu/services/software/users/

Networking

New firewalls and core networking hardware have been configured and are now operational. This will enable us to deliver more fine grained network access control to various complex undergraduate instruction and research related projects.

Student workers and volunteers of the CAT were instrumental in the preparation of these systems for the Fall 2024 rollout and generated much of the documentation you are reading. If you are interested in joining the CAT, visit our Braindump Website:

https://braindump.cat.pdx.edu/

If you have any questions, please contact the CAT at:

• Email – support@cat.pdx.edu
• Chat – https://support.cat.pdx.edu/
• In Person – FAB 82
• Phone – 503-725-5420