====== McEuen Group Computing FAQ ======

===== Getting Started =====

The first thing that you need to do when joining the group is get a computer account from a computer administrator. The current administrators are Isaac and Arthur.

Once you have an account you can log in to any desktop computer in the lab, remotely connect to the network, and use the lab printers/scanners.

If you have a laptop, be sure to register your computer with CCMR.  


===== P.C. vs Mac =====

All of the lab computers run Windows. This is because most of the lab software we want is supported in (or only in) Windows, and all Windows is easier than trying to get Windows & Mac to play nicely. As such, these suggestions and protocols are aimed at P.C.s. If you’re using a Mac, the current administrators (group or CCMR level) won’t be very useful. (However, Melina or Peter may be able to offer some advice.  See below for instruction on how to connect to Wheatley on a Mac.)


===== Connecting to the wireless network =====

If you have a laptop, you may wish to use the wireless network in the lab. There is a wireless router in B54A near the end of the black counter, next to the printer. The name and password are written on the router itself. This is the preferred wireless access point; contact a computer administrator if you have trouble accessing it.


===== Using the group server =====

The server for the McEuen Group network is called wheatley. After getting a network account from a computer administrator, you can access the user directories on wheatley from any lab computer on the domain by entering \\wheatley\data into the address bar of a folder window (aka windows explorer).

To access wheatley from your windows laptop or any other computer connected to the network (but not in the domain), type into windows explorer either \\wheatley.ccmr.cornell.edu\data if you're connecting from Red Rover or \\wheatley.mceuenlab.ccmr.cornell.edu\data if you're connecting from a McEuen lab network. When it asks you for credentials, you may need to prepend the name of the domain to your username, i.e. use "MCEUENLAB\username" instead of just your username.

To access wheatley from your Mac laptop, connect to mceuen wireles.  Then open Finder, select Go->Connect to Server...  A dialogue box will appear.  In the field marked "Server Address:" type "smb://wheatley", and hit "Connect".  It will then prompt you for your username and password.  You should not need to prepend the name of the domain to your username.  (Note: this has only been tested on OS X 10.9.3)

You can use the windows method to access wheatley from any other windows computer on campus (i.e. a computer in another lab, Duffield, etc). **However, you must remember to log out of the computer afterwards!** Otherwise, anyone who uses the computer after you can access everything on wheatley. If, for whatever reason, you don't want to log out of the computer afterwards, you should instead use "map network drive" to access wheatley. Then, you MUST remember to "disconnect network drive" when you are done.

You can also access wheatley from off campus (i.e. your home computer) using Cornell VPN. Follow the instructions at http://www.cit.cornell.edu/services/vpn/howto/index.cfm to install the VPN client and connect to the Cornell VPN, then follow the instructions listed above to connect to the server, using the same wheatley address as you would use when connecting from Red Rover.

The first thing you should do after you get access to wheatley is to make a directory for yourself. Name it whatever you want, but something that easily identifies you, like your first or last name. You should then use that directory to store all of your data and work-related files. **DO NOT USE WHEATLEY TO STORE PERSONAL FILES!**

There are currently two different user groups for the network: McEuen Group, and Outside Users (which includes collaborators and REUs). If you are a member of McEuen Group, you have access to all directories on wheatley, but if you are a member of Outside Users, you only have access to your own directory and a couple of common group folders. If you are collaborating with someone, or you want to have access to their personal directory, talk to a computer administrator (like Isaac), and they will add you to the permissions for specific folders.


===== Backup =====

The former group server (caliban), has been repurposed as a backup server for wheatley. It is running Symantec Backup Exec, and is currently configured to do a full backup every month, and differential backups every day. Storage space permitting, you should be able to access previous versions of your files for every day of the last month, and every month of the last 6 months. If you have questions about the backup, or want to restore a file, talk to a computer administrator.

**DATA vs DATA VAULT**. The preceding backup scheme only applies to files stored in the "DATA" directory on wheatley. Since this scheme involves multiple redundant copies of a file being backed up, **please do not put large files in DATA**. Instead, use the "DATA VAULT" directory. New files in DATA VAULT are backed up to caliban on a daily basis using a program called SyncBackSE, but no version history is stored. Use this for large raw data files (e.g. videos) that only need to be backed up once.

Note that with this backup system, your data is safe from hard drive failure and accidental deletions, but wheatley and caliban are kept in the same physical location (E17 Clark Hall), so your data is NOT protected from bigger disasters like fire, flood, etc. At some point CCMR is going to acquire a server room in another building and move caliban there.

Also, please note that data stored locally on all other lab computers is NOT backed up. If you want to make sure your data is safe, be sure to put it in your directory on wheatley.


===== Size limits =====

The maximum capacity of the "data" drive on wheatley is 7.27 TB, and the maximum capacity for backups on caliban is 8.84 TB. This means that if wheatley fills up completely, we will only have enough space for one full backup. Please do not hesitate to put important work-related files on wheatley (we can always buy more hard drives for caliban), but again, **no personal files!**


===== Playing media on the Samsung HDTV over the network =====

First, you need to download and install the Samsung PC Share Manager, which can be accessed from this link:
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/UN55C8000XFXZA

Run the PC Share Manager. Then, go to Share -> Set Device Priority, find the device called TV-55C8000, and click Accept. After that you should be able to share any folder on your computer. To play your media files, press "source" on the TV remote and navigate to the appropriate DLNA entry.



**NOTE: All following sections are outdated.**

===== Printing =====

We have a black and white laser printer in B-4 and a color printer in C-2. The way to set up a computer to print is:

 1.  Make sure you can connect to the network.

 2.  For color printing, type “\\caliban” into the address bar of a folder window.

 3.  For color printing, double click on the “hpdeskje” icon.

 4.  For Black and white printing, Double click the “Carbon” icon.

 5.  You should now be able to select carbon or color printing when printing a document.

 5.  Delete all references to heffalump in your old printer settings.

For Mac People:

 1.  Make sure you can connect to the network.

 2.  When printing, add printer.  Go to appletalk, and select the HP Laserjet 4050N

Replacing Printer Toner:

 1. Place new toner cartridge in printer and pull the return shipping label out of the box.

 2. Place old toner cartridge in the new one's box, and affix the return shipping label.  (And write in our lab's address in the sender field!)

 3. Take boxes that are ready for shipping to Lenny's office in Clark G38.


===== Software =====

We have a variety of software available to users in the McEuen Group. You can find the software in a cabinet in PSB B54A.

We also have most things installed on the lab computer in PSB B54A.  (For example, L-edit for mask design, Gwyddion for analyzing AFM data, etc.) Talk to Kathryn about what's available, or if you need anything else installed on this machine.

Useful software is stored in \\wheatley\data\software. The old server, Caliban, may also contain useful software:  check the \\caliban\storage\installs folder. Remember that each piece of software has different license restrictions, and we can’t necessarily install it on more than one machine. Use your best judgment.

Useful open-source software (also on the lab computer) includes:
  * [[http://gwyddion.net/|Gwiddion]] (analyzes AFM data)
  * [[http://www.klayout.de/|klayout]] (open-source version of L-edit)
  * [[http://www.virtualdub.org/|VirtualDub]] (handles video files)
  * [[http://www.openchemistry.org/projects/avogadro2/|Avogadro2]] (molecular modeling)
  * [[http://www.blender.org/|Blender]] (make gorgeous 3D representations of your experiment)
  * [[http://www.docear.org/|Docear]] (a great reference and all-around project manager)







===== Scanner =====

The lab scanner can be found in room B-4 next to the computer “wizzle”. In order to run the scanner, follow these directions:

0. DO NOT press the green button on the front of the scanner. This will get you nowhere.

1. Place document to be scanned in the scanner

2. In Wizzle, open photoshop.

3. In the file drag down menu, select: import - WIA - Epson perfection 1650

4. Select whatever type of file you want

5. select scan


=====Computer administration=====
A compendium of common computer administration tasks can be found [[Computer Admin|here]].