Computing in the Stat-OR Department

Francisco Chamú
Last updated: 09/29/2004

Introduction

This document provides an overview of the computing resources available in the Stat-OR department. More comprehensive documentation is already available at this page, however it needs to be updated. We complement the current documentation with up-to-date information and discuss the current status of the computing facilities in our department.

Contents

Hardware

Servers mantained by the High Performance Computing group:

Sun machines in the department (maintained by OASIS):

Debian GNU/Linux machines in the department (mantained by COMPUTER COORDINATOR, currently Brian Lopes):

Setting Up Accounts

The following is information on how to set up accounts in each of the Unix servers. It is assumed you already have an ONYEN.

StatApps, Baobab:
To subscribe to these services, go to https://onyen.unc.edu. Scroll down to the section ``Other Services''. Click on the button ``Subscribe to Services''. Enter your ONYEN and password and then subscribe to the services you need.
savage, seymour, tucker:
Request access to these servers at http://oasis.unc.edu/remedy (you will be asked for your ONYEN and password).
bayes, bose, maxwell:
Send email to COMPUTER COORDINATOR.

Logging On

You must connect to the Unix servers using the secure shell (SSH) protocol. If you use SecureCRT make sure to specify SSH2 as the protocol in the "Session Options Window". More details at http://help.unc.edu/?id=4182

The AFS File Storage System

"AFS is a file system used by UNC to provide personal and group disk storage to anyone with an Onyen. Graduate students, faculty and staff get 250MB of disk space." More details at http://help.unc.edu/?id=142.

Note: Save all of your work in your AFS space! Why?

  1. You can access your AFS space from anywhere
  2. Files stored in your AFS space are backed up nightly
  3. It is not safe to store files in the local hard drives of the computer labs: OASIS may clean the local hard drives.

Accessing Your AFS Space

Software

Email

The email server of UNC is isis.unc.edu. You can access your email with several email clients, such as:

pine:
pine is the safest (low risk of getting a virus) and the fastest (text-based). To use pine, login to isis.unc.edu. If you have the menu enabled, choose option 2. If you do not have the menu enabled, just type pine at the prompt. For more information see http://help.unc.edu/?id=98
Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Mail, Mulberry:
Documentation for configuring these email clients is available at http://help.unc.edu/?id=760
Webmail:
See http://help.unc.edu/?id=89. Remember that:
UNC Webmail is designed as a supplement to, and not a replacement for, your desktop email client (such as Mulberry, Netscape Messenger, Outlook, etc.). Webmail should be used in situations in which you don't have access to your usual desktop email program—when traveling or using computer labs, for example.

Asking for Help