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Workstation Standards and Migration Policy

Desktop Computer and Printer Hardware Standards

 Migration Policy for FY 09

 

Introduction

The Office of Information Technologies (OIT), in cooperation with the Information Technology Steering Committee and the Rider Community, will annually publish recommended configurations for new computer and printer purchases and minimum configurations for existing desktop computers and printers.  The standards will help to hold training and support costs and make it possible for people across campus to work together using technology.  Standards also guide divisions making new purchases and assist in planning equipment life cycles.

 

Hardware Standards 

There are two types of standards: desktop computer and printer standards for general-purpose computing (Email, word processing, and spreadsheets), and desktop computer and printer standards for administrative system access (access to DATATEL, HRS, FRS as well as general purpose computing).  For each standard, recommended configurations for new purchases and minimum configurations for existing computers and printers are described.  OIT will review and update these standards each year evaluating University needs and industry changes.  OIT does not recommend mixing Macintosh and Windows computers within an office where a single standard is much easier and less costly to support.  Generally speaking, application software products and peripherals (printers, scanners) are not 100% compatible and more costly to maintain in a mixed environment.

 

Support Timetable

OIT will guarantee full support of desktop computers and printers purchased using the recommended configuration guidelines through July 1, 2009.  As updated desktop computer and printer standards are issued, support timelines may be revised.  Full support means training, documentation, hardware parts, and software support will be provided. Partial support means limited hardware and software support will be provided. Limited hardware support means, if an OIT technician cannot solve the problem or determines that repairing the unit is too costly, OIT will recommend the unit not be repaired.  If the user chooses to purchase new equipment in lieu of repairing it, OIT will contribute the cost of the repair towards the purchase of new equipment.  Limited software support means, if an OIT technician cannot resolve the software error, OIT can install an older version of the software in order to solve the problem.

 

OIT does not support standalone printers (printers attached directly to a workstation).  In general, the cost to repair a standalone printer (time and material) is greater than or equal to the cost of a new printer.  Standalone printers (like a Hewlett Packard DeskJet) are not built to withstand the demands placed on it in an office environment


Computer Migration Policy

 

 

 

Desktop computers and printers may be redistributed throughout the University. Any such redistribution should be performed according to the following guidelines:

·       A given division may decide to move an existing computer or printer within that particular division provided it meets or exceeds the “Standards for Existing Desktop/Laptop Computers and Printers” described in this document. 

·       Contact OIT Help Desk at x3000 or via the web at http://easypass.rider.edu  to schedule the installation. If there is more than two machines involved, department should contact Facilities Management prior to the installation to complete the physical move of machines.

·       OIT will install and inventory the machines and network printers.

 

 

However, a division may choose not to move a computer or printer that becomes available and meets the minimum standard.  In that case, the division should return the equipment to the Office of Information Technologies (OIT) for migration.  Available machines that do not meet the minimum standard should be returned to OIT.

 

Machines returned to OIT for migration will be placed in the migration pool.  Computers and printers in the migration pool will be distributed monthly to faculty and staff whose machines don’t meet the minimum standards. Faculty and staff requesting the machine from the pool must submit a written request at E-Support http://easypass.rider.edu 

Machines will be distributed on the first in/out basis.  Machines distributed from the pool are to be used exclusively in University offices only. 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Desktop Computer Standards for New Purchases

 

 

Below are the recommended configurations for desktop computers used for general-purpose computing and higher end usage. Buying the best desktop computer you can afford usually pays off in extra years of support from OIT and service from the computer. To avoid any incompatibility and support problems faculty and staff must contact OIT Users Support at X3000 to obtain a price quote for a new machine.   All new equipment purchases must be reported to OIT for inclusion in the Capitol Equipment Inventory along with its location.

 

 

Recommended Configuration Desktop Computers (new systems)

 

 

 

Hardware

Brand

Dell Optiplex GX740 Desktop

Apple iMac

 

Processor

Pentium 4/AMD  2.9 GHz

Intel 2.0 GHz 

 

Memory(RAM)

2 GB

2  GB

 

Hard Disk

160 GB

160  GB

 

Monitor

19” Flat WS

20” Flat WS

 

Miscellaneous

DVD+RW /CD-RW

 Headphones or Speakers

DVD+RW/CD-RW

Headphones or speakers

Software

Operating System

Windows XP Professional

Mac OS 10.5  (Leopard)

 

E-mail client/Browser

Thunderbird, Internet Explorer 7 , FireFox

Thunderbird

Safari, FireFox

 

Application Software

MS Office 2003 Professional\2007

MS Office  2004\2008

Network

On-campus

Built-in ethernet

Built-in ethernet

 

Off-Campus

PPP- External US Robotics 56 Kbps

PPP - Built-in 56 Kbps modem

Miscellaneous

Warranty

4 Years

3 Years

 

Est. Price(as of  4/1/08)

$882.00

$1,358.00

 

 


Printer Standards for New Purchases

 

Below are the recommended configurations for printers used for general-purpose computing (word processing, Email, Internet) and administrative system access (Datatel, HRS, FRS).

OIT recommends that divisions buy workgroup printers, i.e. shared via the campus network. Buying the best printer you can afford usually pays off in extra years of support from OIT and service from the printer. To avoid any incompatibility problems faculty and staff must contact OIT Users Support to obtain a price quote. All new equipment purchases must be reported to the General Accounting Office for inclusion in the Capitol Equipment Inventory along with its location.

 

 


Printing from Administrative Systems Configuration - New Purchase

 

Hardware

Brand

Dell

 

Model

5310N

 

Options

512  MB Ram, 85 Envelope Feeder, Duplex (2 side printing)

500 sheet feeder tray

Specss

Memory(RAM)

128 MB

 

Pages Per Minute

50

 

Postscript

Yes

 

Paper weight

up to 110 index

 

Resolution

1200x1200 DPI

Media

Capacity

2600 sheet universal trays via 4 optional 500 sheets drawers

 

Sizes

Letter, legal, A4, B5, executive. 

 

Types

Plain paper, envelopes, card stock

Network

Ethernet/Localtalk

Internal Jetdirect 10BaseT  and parallel interface

Misc

Support Guarantee

5 Year

 

Est. Price as of 4/1/08

$2218

 

 

General Printing (Email, word-processing) Configuration - New Purchase

 

Hardware

Brand

Dell  

 

Model

1720DN

 

Options

128 MB

 

Specs

Memory(RAM)

32  MB

 

Pages Per Minute

30

 

Postscript

Yes

 

Paper weight

up to 37 lb.

 

Resolution

1200x1200 DPI

Media

Capacity

800 sheets

 

Sizes

Letter, legal, A4, B5, executive. 

 

Types

Plain paper, envelopes, card stock

Network

Ethernet/Localtalk

Internal Jetdirect 10BaseT and parallel interface

Misc

Support Guarantee

4 Year

 

Est. Price as of 4/1/08)

$445.00

 



Standards for Existing Desktop Computers

 

The following configurations for existing general-purpose desktop computers were defined using the minimum hardware and software requirements needed to connect a desktop computer to the campus network

 as well as run the CORE Software Suites (Windows XP, Mac OS 10.X, MS-Office XP/2001,  and Netscape 7.2., Internet Explorer, FireFox  for Internet access).

 

Minimum Configuration for an Existing Desktop Computer

 

Hardware

Brand

Dell Optiplex GX270

Apple

 

Processor

Pentium 4 2.8 GHz

iMac 1.83 GHz

 

Memory(RAM)

512 MB

512 MB

 

Hard Disk

40 GB

40 GB

 

Monitor

17”color VGA

17” color SVGA

Software

Operating System

Windows XP

Mac OS 10.X

 

Network Software

Thunderbird, FireFox, IE6

Thunderbird, Safari, FireFox

 

Application Software

Microsoft Office 2003 Professional

Microsoft Office 2004

Network

On-campus

Ethernet- 3COM 10BaseT with RJ45 connector

Ethernet- RJ45 connector

 

Off-Campus

Hayes compatibles 28.8 Kbps modem

Hayes compatible 28.8 Kbps modem

Miscellaneous

Full Support Guarantee

1 Year

1 Year

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Configuration for Existing Laptop Computer

 

Hardware

Brand

Dell Latitude

Apple Macbook

 

Processor

Pentium 4M 1.86

Intel 1.83

 

Memory (RAM)

512 MB

512 MB

 

Hard Disk

20  GB

20 GB

Software

Operating System

Windows XP

Mac OS 10.X

 

Network Software

Firefox, Internet Explorer, Thunderbird

Firefox, Internet Explorer, Thunderbird

 

Application Software

Microsoft Office 2003 Professional

Office 2004

Network

On-campus

Ethernet- 3COM 10BaseT with RJ45 connector

Ethernet- 3COM 10BaseT with RJ45 connector

 

Off-Campus

Hayes compatibles 28.8 Kbps modem

Hayes compatibles 28.8 Kbps modem

Miscellaneous

Full Support Guarantee

1 Year

1 Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standards for Existing Printers

 

 

The following standards for existing printers were defined using the minimum requirements needed to connect a printer to the campus network and perform multipurpose printing from the Standard Software Suite and administrative applications (HRS, FRS and Datatel).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Printing Minimum Configuration - Existing Printer

 

Hardware

Brand

Hewlett Packard

 

Model

4200

 

Options

Envelope feeder

Specifications

Memory(RAM)

4 MB

 

Pages Per Minute

4

 

Postscript

Yes

Network

Ethernet

Internal/external Jetdirect 10BaseT and parallel interface

Miscellaneous

Support Guarantee

1 Year

 


 

Laptop Guidelines

 

Generally, laptop computers cost more than a similarly equipped desktop computer and lag at least one generation behind in technology.  If you plan to buy a laptop to use as your primary desktop computer, it should comply with the appropriate general-purpose or administrative standard configuration.

Support for laptop computers is no different than for desktop computers.  The following represents OIT’s recommendations for laptop computers:

 

Guidelines for Laptop Computers – General purpose

 

Hardware

Brand

Dell Latitude D630

MacBook Pro 

 

Processor

2.0 GHz

2.4 GHz

 

Memory(RAM)

2  GB

2 GB

 

Hard Disk

80 GB

80GB

 

Misc.

DVD+RW /CD-RW), port replicator, external keyboard, mouse, 19” WS monitor

DVD+RW /CD-RW)

 

 

Weight

4.3 lbs

5.6 lbs

 

Monitor

14.1” wide screen

15” wide screen

Software

Operating System

Windows 2003 Professional

Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard)

 

Email Client & Browser

Thunderbird, Internet Explorer 7, FireFox

Safari, FireFox, Thunderbird

 

Application Software

MS Office 2003 Professional

MS Office 2008

Network

On-campus

Built-in Ethernet (both wired and wireless)

Built-in Ethernet (both wired and wireless)

 

Off-Campus

Built-in 56 Kbps modem

Built-in 56 Kbps modem

Miscellaneous

Full Support Guarantee

4 Years Limited Warranty

3 Years

 

Est. Price(as of  (4/1/08

$1822.00

$2038.00

 

 

Guidelines for Laptop Computers – Presentation & multimedia purpose

 

Hardware

Brand

Dell Latitude D630

MacBook Pro

 

Processor

2.0  GHz

2.4 GHz

 

Memory(RAM)

2.0 GB

2 GB

 

Hard Disk

80 GB

200GB

 

Weight

4.3 lbs

5.6 lbs

 

Misc.

DVD+RW /CD-RW)

DVD+RW /CD-RW)

 

Monitor

14.1” Wide screen

15” wide screen

Software

Operating System

Windows 2003 Professional

Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard)

 

Email Client & Browser

IE 7, FireFox Thunderbird

Safari, FireFox, Thunderbird

 

Application Software

MS Office 2003 Professional

MS Office 2008

Network

On-campus

Built-in Ethernet (both wired and wireless)

Built-in Ethernet (both wired and wireless)

 

Off-Campus

Built-in 56 Kbps modem

Built-in 56 Kbps modem

Miscellaneous

Full Support Guarantee

4 years Limited Warranty

3 years

 

Est. Price(as of  (4/1/08)

$ 1822.00

$2,038.00

 

 

 

 

 

                                        Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s)

 

  OIT provides the following support for Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to University staff members:

 

  • Syncing of PDA’s with the University's Corporate Time Calendar via Corporate Sync  (to ensure that your PDA is compatible with the Corporate Time
  • Check Oracle's Documentation site at  http:// bigip-eltor.oracle.com/notes/csync.html to see the latest release notes for your operating system, and read the System Requirements for your PDA model.

 

 

  OIT does not provide:

 

  • Quotes for PDA’s
  • Support for problems related to the device (such as battery outages and lost information retrieval).