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Computing Science Department

Computing Science Department

Computing Resources

CSCI Machines and Accounts

Computing systems used by CSCI faculty and students include:

  • otter (GNU/Linux)
  • pupN (GNU/Linux)
  • cscidb (GNU/Linux)

Users of the above systems are subject to VIU's Statement of Appropriate Use of Information Technology, Facilities and Services. In addition, users are subject to the following Lab and Computer Usage rules.


Unix Accounts on otter

Computing Science students have access to a Dell R710 running GNU/Linux. Linux accounts will be issued to students registered in courses requiring such access.

Students may access their accounts on-campus through

  • Neoware X-terminals located in the Network Computer Lab in Building 315 Room 102

The availability of the PC labs and the X terminal lab is posted in the library and outside Building 315 Room 102.


Printing

Two laser printers are available in Building 315 Rooms 102 and 115. The printer in Room 102 is called csci-lq. The printer in Room 115 is called csci-lqa.


PC Labs

Computing Services operates a number of PC labs on campus. A complete listing and availability is displayed in the library and outside Building 315 Room 114.


Computing Science Systems Lab

This lab is located in Building 315 Room 115. It is used to deliver several Systems Courses, including CSCI 261, CSCI 355, and CSCI 360.


Computing Science Project Lab

This lab is located in Building 315 Room 215. It has an evolving hardware/software configuration that facilitates various courses and on-going projects in the Computing Science department.


Off-Campus Access

See the Technology home page.

Card Key Access

Computing Science students can gain access to CSCI labs in the Physics Building by purchasing and registering their card-key.

Different Levels of Access

There are two levels of access:

Level 1

Doors: Building 315 Room 102 and the north-end ground floor entrance.
Access: 8am to 10pm 7 days a week including weekends and holidays. Students registered in the following CSCI courses are eligible for Level 1 access:
160 161 162 171 172 173

Level 2

Includes Level 1 access and:

Doors: Building 315 Room 115
Access: 8am to 10pm 7 days a week including weekends and holidays.

Students registered in the following CSCI courses are eligible for Level 2 access:
251 260 261 265 310 311 320 322 330 331 340 355 360 365 370 375 405 420 435 454 460 461 485

Process

  1. Purchase a card-key from the bookstore if you don't already have one.

  2. From your account on otter, send email to cscicard@csci.viu.ca (no attachments). The email message must contain 3 lines. The first line must contain your student number (no spaces), the second line must contain the card-key registration number (number on the card; note that the letters are UPPER CASE) and the third line must contain the desired level of access (just the digit):

    <student number>
    <card-key number>      // Eg. XSF(01)49:43210
    <level>
    where <level> is either 1 or 2

    Example: student with ID 123 456 789 wants to enable card XSF(01):49:76543 for level 2 access (bold text indicates input data):

    student@otter:~$ mail cscicard
    Subject: card key request
    123456789
    XSF(01)49:76543
    2
    .
    CC:
    student@otter:~$

    The fourth line of the message body is a period on its own - this signals the end of the message body. At the CC: prompt simply hit the <Enter> key without any other text.

Notes
The email must be sent from your account on otter.csci.viu.ca for the request to be accepted.

All cards will "expire" on the last day of term. Card key users must adhere to the following rules:

  1. The key is not to be used by anyone other that the student it is registered to.
  2. You are not to allow any other student access to the Physics Building or Computing Science labs using your key.


Lab and Computer Usage Rules

Computing Science students are subject to the following Lab and Computer Usage rules. In addition, all computer users at VIU are subject to VIU's Statement of Appropriate Use of Information Technology, Facilities and Services.

Lab Usage

  • You will not bring food or drink into the labs.
  • You will not allow unauthorized individuals to enter locked labs.
  • You will not play or invent games, unless required for a Computing Science course.
  • You will not conduct yourself in a manner disruptive to the use of the lab by others.
  • You will not take any action to circumvent lab security e.g. propping open of doors, tampering with security cables.
  • You will only use equipment designated for your use.
  • You will use this computing resource only for course work and for non-course related computing of an educational nature e.g. exploring the internet for materials related to but not strictly required in Computing Science courses. In the latter case, you must relinquish the computer to a student waiting for a machine on which to do courseworks.

Computer Usage

  • You are responsible for all activity on your account.
  • You will not tamper with the operating system security or accounting nor disguise your identity while using the system.
  • You will not permit any other individual to use your account.
  • You will not interfere with other users nor attempt to obtain access to another account.
  • You will not permit processes to accumulate excessive amounts of compute time or resources.
  • You will not modify the system configuration (e.g., xterm configuration) or install or save software other than programs you create or install as part of your course work.
  • You will not broadcast messages on any of VIU's systems. You will not write (anonymously or otherwise) on another user's screen.
  • You will not use your computing privileges for commercial gain.