CAEN

This is an update on several significant to CAEN computer labs that occurred during the Spring/Summer 2009 semesters.

CAEN Wireless Update

CAEN has begun updating its wireless network.  Substantial completion is expected by the end of the fall term.  Improvements include support for the IEEE 802.11n standard, higher capacity, and support for a new authentication method based on "WPA2 Enterprise".  In addition to readily supporting laptops, the new wireless should be readily compatible with iPods and other hand held devices.  The new service will be available as a separate "SSID" service name.  Further announcements (including an updated website at www.engin.umich.edu/caen/network/wireless/) will be sent once the service is in full production.

Remote Access to the CAEN Computer Labs Software Environment

CAEN is in the process of expanding access to its remote CAEN computers available through the Virtual Sites service.  Completion of the expansion is expected in late September or October and will increase the pool size from 24 to 96 computers.  First introduced last year, this service gives you remote access to a system that is identical to the CAEN Windows computer lab environment.  You can access the remote CAEN computer labs software environment from the webpage http://virtualsites.umich.edu.  A formal description of the service can be found at www.engin.umich.edu/caen/connect/virtualsites.html.

Printing

CAEN would like to remind you that you can print documents to select CAEN lab printers from your laptop.  You need to be connected to the campus network when using this service.  For more information see the website www.engin.umich.edu/caen/printing/webprint.html.

The CAEN lab printers also have the capability of scanning documents to PDF and emailing them.  In addition, the color models of the CAEN lab printers will automatically recognize the words scanned and create a text-based PDF.  More information on using this capability can be found at the website www.engin.umich.edu/caen/printing/xerox/scan.html.

New Desktop Computers in CAEN Labs

Several CAEN Labs have been updated with Hewlett-Packard Z400 computers.  These computers are significantly faster over what was previously available.  They each feature quad core Intel "Nehalem" Xeon W3520 2.66GHz processors, 6GB RAM, and NVIDIA Quadro FX580 512MB graphics cards.  The Z400s are located in the following CAEN labs: CSE 1620, CSE 1695, EECS 1230, FXB B085, GGBL 2505, IOE G610, Shapiro B100.  In addition, there are Z400s in the following Duderstadt Center locations: LLE, 2S, 2SW.  An overview of the desktop hardware available in the CAEN computer labs can be found at www.engin.umich.edu/caen/computers/labchart.html.

CAEN Lab Changes

At the end of last semester, CAEN closed the computer lab located in Autolab.  A new CAEN computer lab has been opened in EPB (located next to FXB).  A map of the building location is available at www.engin.umich.edu/facilities/maps/epb.html.  A picture and brief description of the lab is available at www.engin.umich.edu/caen/computers/labs/coelabs.html#224.  This lab is open 24x7 and has 44 new HP xw4600 computers.  In a separate area of this lab, 3 of the computers each have a 42" LCD monitor and a large table for group seating.  These 3 computers will generally be available even when the lab has an active reservation for a class.  Priority for these computers should be given to groups of students doing collaborative computing work.

The GGB 2505 (Dow Connector) was updated with new carpet and chairs.

CAEN Hotline Live Help (Online Chat)

CAEN is introducing a new service for online support.  You can now contact a CAEN Hotline consultant via online chat.  You can access CAEN Hotline live help by going to the main CAEN website (www.engin.umich.edu/caen) and clicking on the "Contact CAEN" button in the upper-right corner of the page.  From there, click the "Live Chat" icon.

Feel free to send me any comments or suggestions you may have.

Mark Giuffrida
Director of CAEN
markg@umich.edu