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Introduction to the MBARI Computer Network
Last Updated: 06/13/05
Welcome to the MBARI computer network! This document has been prepared to help you get acquainted with the computing resources at MBARI, and to help you find the answers to any questions you might have.
Your Desktop Computer
Every employee at MBARI has a primary desktop computer. This is usually a Windows XP or Windows 2000 PC, or a Macintosh. This desktop computer was delivered with all of MBARI's core applications installed. Enhancements to the hardware configuration (additional RAM, hard drives, DVD-RW drives, etc.) may be made by IS when requested and approved by your supervisor and subject to budget availability. You may also be given access to additional computer resources that are user supported.
Loading Additional Software
There may be applications you need that are not included in the core applications installed on your desktop. You may install additional applications that have been acquired by your department or project group on your primary computer. You are responsible for ensuring that you load only legally licensed copies of software on your desktop. Please be aware that software licensing is strictly enforced at MBARI. For more details, see the "Installing Specialty Software" FAQ. For secondary computers, all software is purchased by your department. In order for you to be able to load such additional software that may be required for your job, your login account is granted Administrative rights to your primary desktop computer if it is running Windows XP or 2000.
A Note of Precaution
Your primary desktop computer's hard drive was imaged at the time of delivery to facilitate repairs. Please be aware that if your operating system becomes corrupt and unserviceable for any reason, and cannot be restored to working order reasonably quickly, the hard disk will have to be reformatted and restored to the state it was in at time of delivery. If this happens, you will need to reinstall any applications you installed after the machine was delivered, and any data that was on the hard drive will not be recoverable. See Data Storage section for details about where to place your data files for safe storage.
Network Accounts
Two network login accounts have been created for you, one for the Windows domains and one for Unix, with a default password. You will be required to change the password the first time you log in. You are also encouraged to change your password periodically. We recommend using the same password for both accounts to prevent confusion. See the Network, Accounts, and Passwords FAQs for more information about changing your passwords and keeping them synchronized.
Your email account has the same name as your MBARI login name, plus the suffix @mbari.org. (Example: login name jsmith, email address jsmith@mbari.org). All shore-side MBARI e-mail mailboxes are hosted on Microsoft Exchange Server. Microsoft Outlook is the application primarily supported by IS for accessing e-mail, as well as providing calendaring and other functions. Your e-mail and calendar information may also be retrieved via the web from anyplace in the world with internet connectivity. The mail servers also support POP and IMAP, and you may use e-mail clients other than Outlook if you prefer. See the "Email and Calendaring" FAQs for more information.
Network Servers
MBARI uses a combination of UNIX and Windows based servers for a variety of purposes. For an overview of network servers and their assigned functions, refer to our list of Unix servers and Windows servers.
Data Storage & File Servers
All of your data files should be stored on a network file server. This is because all Windows and UNIX based file servers are fault tolerant, easily accessible, and backed up nightly. IS does not backup desktop workstations. If you work with extremely large files and access time over the network is a problem, copy the file or files to your local computer for manipulation and copy them back to the file server when you are done working with them for the day. For further information about backups, see the "Backup and Restore" FAQs.
Network Shares (Network Appliance File Servers)
MBARI currently employs two Network Appliance file servers, Tornado and Tempest. Network Appliance Filers are high-performance devices designed for storage of large amounts of data. The Network Appliance file system can either be NFS mounted or accessed through a Windows share.
All MBARI users have a home directory on Tempest, 1GB in size and named to match their login accounts. This directory is your home directory when logged in under Unix (the directory is automounted to the Unix machine you log into), and is mapped as your U: drive when logged in from a Windows machine. You have sole access to your home directory - other users cannot access it. This is the place to store data files that you wish to have protected by backups, but do not need or want to share on a regular basis with others in the institute.
Your division will also likely have one or more Division Shares. Although Division Shares have size limits, varying by division, their capacity can be scaled, by request, as need arises. You are encouraged to keep all work-related files in your Division Share. See your Division Administrator for more details. Read and Write access to Division Shares is restricted to members of the division or group only.
Additionally, there is a variety of project shares, specific to some of the larger projects at MBARI. Your co-workers will be the best resource for determining which project shares may be relevant to your work.
There is also a share on Tempest called "tempbox." \\Tempest\tempbox is accessible to anyone with an MBARI login, and is intended to be used for temporary storage and exchange of files. Contents of tempbox are cleaned out automatically, removing anything older than 30 days.
You may want to create permanent drive mappings to the shares on the Network Appliance servers that you will be using regularly.
Other Network Shares
\\Tornado\Apps contains a variety of useful applications. You can find printer drivers and the latest versions of utility software, software patches, etc.
If you are using a Macintosh as your primary machine you will occasionally be asked to go to the "MacShare" for updates to software. This share can be found on Macserv, our Apple server at MBARI.
Printing
For information on locating and accessing printers on the MBARI network, see the MBARI Network Printers FAQ.
Electrical Power
Due to the unpredictable power supplied to MBARI, we utilize backup generators and UPS (uninterruptable power supply) units. UPS units provide protection for sensitive equipment (like computers) from power spikes, surges and sags, as well as provide uninterrupted power flow when the power goes out, covering the gap between when the power stops and the MBARI generator starts. Only computers and network hubs should be plugged into the UPS outlets. Monitors and printers should not be plugged into UPS outlets. Do not plug any other equipment into UPS outlets.See the "Electrical Power" FAQ for more information.
Getting Help
The MBARI IS department has developed an informational website to help you with many of your computer needs. Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with this web by clinking here or the link on the Canyon Head. We recommend bookmarking this site for quick access when the need arises. When you have a question or encounter a computer problem, try looking it up on this website. The search function is particularly powerful. If you are unable to find what you need on our website, then please submit a "Help Ticket." The Help Ticket FAQ describes how to submit a ticket. Of course, in the event of an emergency, please contact the IS supervisor immediately. (An emergency is defined as a problem that threatens personal safety, compromises institute data security or integrity, or threatens to delay a cruise or major project deadline occurring in the next 24 hrs.)