Catalog and Student Handbook 2007-2008

Rensselaer has diverse computing resources that rival or exceed many systems currently installed in other educational institutions and industries. Technical and Information Services (TIS) provides technical support services to students, faculty, and staff for their academic, instructional, and research endeavors. TIS is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of a state-of-the art computing environment for the Hartford Campus community.

To meet this challenge, we have developed a computing environment based on a distributed network of personal computers (PCs), high-end workstations, and fileservers using a client-server model, combined with high-speed networking. Using this model enables us to provide a multi-user computing environment that is capable of handling demanding database management and compute-intensive applications for students and staff.

A variety of computing facilities, general access labs, and technology classrooms are available for student use. Our facilities have consistent equipment installed (Sun Workstations, PCs, etc.) and numerous software packages. TIS offices are located on Level 2.

Network and Servers
The Hartford Campus computing infrastructure is based on an open TCP/IP client-server architecture and uses Cisco System s 7206 and 3600 routers and Catalyst 6500, 2950, 3500 and 2960 switches to support a high-speed 10/100/1000 Mbps switched network. All servers connect to the network via a dedicated 1000 Mbps full duplex link. Workstations and PCs connect to the switched network via dedicated 10/100/1000 Mbps links.

Users may access Hartford Campus network services from either home or office via their Internet service provider. Robust Internet access is provided via redundant, high-speed connections to the Troy campus and a gigabit connection to the Connecticut Educational Network. (CEN). An additional T1 links Hartford to the Groton Site. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) service is available for secure remote access to internal campus resources.

Wireless Access (802.1b/g) is available at the Hartford Campus. All wireless connections are secured eitiher using PEAP/GTC 802.1x security protocols or via a wireless VPN service. The following areas feature wireless access: Level 2 (Plaza Building, Cafeteria, and courtyard), Level 3, Level 4, Level 5 (Cole Library) and Level 7 with additional areas and full campus coverage planned within a year.

The Hartford student file server is a Sun Microsystems' Enterprise 450, a high-performance, four-processor server with 362 GB of raid disk storage. Additional file service for faculty, staff, and the Groton Site is provided by a Sun Enterprise 220R file server. In addition, Sun Enterprise 450, V120, V240, V440, V480 and V1280 servers supply specialized network services and Web access. To complete the computing environment, the Hartford Campus has high-speed, publication-quality printers. All printers are networked and accessible throughout the building.

Personal Computer Laboratories
Students have access to several PC-based laboratories and technology classrooms. These facilities are located on the first, second, fourth, and sixth levels of the main building, in the Cole Library, and at the Southeastern Connecticut Site. The PCs in these facilities are connected to our local area network, giving students access to the Internet as well as file and print services. The technology classrooms are available for individual student use when they are not reserved for classes. Contact TIS for availability of PC-based labs and the technology classrooms.

UNIX Workstation Laboratory and Classroom
The UNIX workstation laboratory on Level 1 and classroom on Level 2 contain SunBlade 1500 workstations from Sun Microsystems. These workstations are connected to our local area network, giving students access to the Internet as well as file and print services. They feature high-speed I/O throughput, large amounts of memory and disk capacity, plus graphics acceleration. Technology classrooms are available for individual student use when they are not reserved for classes.

Software Library
Each PC/Workstation has a variety of industry standard application software installed. The following describes some of the application areas covered: programming languages/tools, office suite (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, and database applications) Web interface and virus protection.

Distributed Education and Multimedia
The Distributed Education and Multimedia Department provides the instructional technology infrastructure for the educational programs offered. The Department is responsible for distributed education, multimedia design and production, multimedia classrooms and auditoriums, and audiovisual services. The Department's production, technical, and logistic staff provide comprehensive instructional design, production, and technology services.

Faculty and training staff from a number of disciplines and producers from the Distributed Education and Multimedia Department work together closely to integrate proven content with instructional strategies designed to make effective use of distributed education technology. These design activities are complimented by the technical and logistic support provided by department staff. These efforts provide the exceptional instruction integrated with advanced instructional techniques, delivery systems, and support. The result is rich and rigorous instruction at a location convenient to the student.

Students choose to participate in courses offered via distributed education because they:

In addition to distributed education activities, the Distributed Education and Multimedia Department staff are responsible for a variety of other instructional technologies and facilities including auditoriums, multimedia classrooms, and audiovisual services. They design and produce single and multimedia instructional materials for use in classes and training programs where technology is integrated into the instructional process. These integrated technologies include internet broadcasts, Web-based materials, computer and video projection, video conferencing, audiovisual, and interactive multimedia technologies.

The Cole Library provides users with information resources and services that focus in the areas of management, business, computer science, and engineering. Its specialized collection of print and electronic resources consists of 55,000 volumes; 400 print journals; and a variety of bibliographic and full-text online databases that offer access to over 36,000 e-journals.

The Cole Library shares an online catalog with its sister library, the Folsom Library at Rensselaer in Troy, New York. The Cole Library Web site provides access to both regional academic library catalogs and those across the nation. The Cole Library has full membership in OCLC, Inc., an international bibliographic system, and has borrowing privileges with over 5,000 member institutions.

Of particular interest to students and faculty are the publications of professional associations such as the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Special online collections include proceedings of the ACM and IEEE.

Reference
The professional staff is available to assist students and faculty with research and reference needs using both the Cole Library and other resources. Quick reference by e-mail form is also available. Referrals to other libraries in the area augment in-house resources. Students and faculty may request material not available in the Cole Library through Interlibrary Loan.

The Cole Library's instruction program offers subject-specific sessions on a class and individual basis. The staff is especially attuned to the research needs of the adult student.

Electronic Access Resources
The Cole Library provides on-site and modem access to its resources. An open computer area provides online databases that support both the management and the sciences curricula. A full gateway to the Internet is available through PC workstations.

The Cole Library's home page is regularly updated. It offers tutorials and serves as a guide to course-related resources. The information may be reached from remote locations through an Internet Service Provider.

Use of the Library
Students must register with the Cole Library to borrow materials. The Rensselaer ID card, issued at registration, also serves as a Library Card. Material in the open collection is loaned for the entire term. Reserve materials are available for shorter loan periods determined by the faculty. Students may contact the Cole Library at (860) 548-2490; (800) 433-4723, Ext. 2490; e-mail: lib-info@ewp.rpi.edu; or visit our home page www.rpi.edu/ewp/hartford/library