Other ACCC LAN Services

The big advantage the ACCC LAN servers give us is that we maintain a single copy of each program on the server, for example Microsoft Word, and all the client computers use that single copy. (We do, however, pay for as many licenses as we have client machines!). But it's much easier to upgrade a single copy when newer versions are released than it is to upgrade 100 different machines. This is the same philosophy behind the Server Services mentioned in What LAN Services Are Available?.

We would be glad to set up your server, clients, and printers for a fee, or if you are technically capable, you can do it yourself. We can also provide maintenance on a contract basis, or on a per service call at an hourly fee. Available maintenance service includes troubleshooting, loading new software, updating hardware, and changing configurations.

Server Services is available for a small monthly fee, and provides access to the same software packages and other services as are available on the PCs and Macs in the ACCC public labs. (And we do the software upgrades automatically, of course.) Disk space for file sharing can be obtained for an additional cost; of course, you decide whom to share your files with. Server Services can be purchased by an individual or an entire department. Several departments and departmental microcomputer labs already take advantage of this service.

Do you already have Novell LAN software, or some other vendor's? The Novell upgrade path from earlier versions of Novell NetWare or from other operating systems of other vendors also is available under the site license.

And if you're worried about the cost of upgrading your Novell LAN when the time comes, we also offer a Novell software maintenance program. The fixed yearly fee for this program covers the cost of future upgrades. Without it, new versions (not maintenance releases) must be purchased at the upgrade cost in effect at the time of the upgrade. Please send email to consult@uic.edu or call the Client Services Office for prices and additional information on the upgrades and upgrade maintenance.

In addition to providing public access to software that the ACCC has purchased for the campus, such as Word or Access or Maple or SAS, we also install software on our servers, at a faculty member's request (licensing permitting!), to be used by their students. Typically, this software remains on the servers for one semester. We can install software in our labs for shorter periods, perhaps to support a conference, tutorial, or other university sponsored activity.

For more information or to request software for your course, send a message to software@uic.edu. Installing new lab software takes two weeks or more, so make sure you get your request in as early as possible. And remember that all software installed on our servers must be licensed for network use.

Please fill out this form. At the end of a semester, all class files and software will be removed, unless they are needed on an ongoing basis; this should be indicated when the request is made.

We also provide long-term storage to support research projects, and would be happy to talk to you about providing other research-related support. (See below.)

Please let us know what kind of services you would like to see in our public micro labs and on our servers, and how we can improve our existing setups.

• Your suggestions, compliments, and complaints are welcomed by suggest@uic.edu, or call the Client Services office, (312) 413-0003.
• For more information or help with any Server Services- or LAN-related problem, send an email note to lan@uic.edu.