University of ConnecticutHuskyPC Windows
[HuskyPC Windows Team] [HuskyPC Windows Proposals]
Ad Hoc Team for HuskyPC Windows Proposals
2006
2005
Overview
The HuskyPC program allows UConn faculty and staff the ability to purchase a
standard, supported computer which will be powerful, secure, and reasonably priced.
As new models are made available via Dell's lifecycle process, it is
necessary to review the current offering to be sure the standard PC on campus is
in line with UConn's business needs.
Current Configuration Currently, there are 2 HuskyPC models available:
- Dell Optiplex GX-280
- Dell Optiplex SX-280 (Ultra-small form factor)
The Optiplex 280 line will be at end of life in September of 2005.
Both of the current HuskyPC models are available with the standard software
and hardware configuration. The table below outlines the current default
hardware and software offerings.
| Hardware | Software |
|---|---|
| Pentium 4 Processor - 2.8 GHz | Microsoft Windows XP SP1 |
| 800 MHz Front-Side Bus, 512K Cache | Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition v9.0 |
| Intel Gigabit NIC | Internet Explorer 6 SP1 |
| Windows XP Professional, with media | Netscape Navigator v7.2 |
| 512 MB DDR2 RAM - 2DIMMS | Hummingbird Host Explorer v9 |
| 17" UltraSharp Flat Panel Monitor | WS_FTP LE |
| Onboard Intel Video with DVI Adapter Card | Adobe Acrobat Reader v7 |
| 40GB Serial ATA 7200 RPM Hard Drive | Macromedia Flash Player v6 |
| 1.44MB Floppy | QuickTime v6.5 |
| Dell USB Keyboard | Microsoft Office 2003 Professional |
| Dell USB 2-Button Optical mouse with Scroll | Sun Java 1.5 |
| AS501 Sound bar for UltraSharp Monitors | Roxio EZ CD Creator Basic v5.3.5.10 |
| CDRW/DVD Combo Drive | Windows Media Player 10 |
| 3 year Gold Technical Support | |
| 3 year Limited Warranty, 3-year NBD on-site service |
Next Models
The following Optiplex models are now available, but are not yet configured as HuskyPC's:
- Dell Optiplex 520
- Minitower
- Desktop
- Small Form Factor
- Dell Optiplex 620
- Minitower
- Desktop
- Small Form Factor
- Ultra-small Form Factor
Recommendations
The following recommendations are made by the HuskyPC ad hoc group with the
intention that they will be incorporated in the next model of HuskyPC.
Hardware Recommendations
Models:
In order to allow the greatest flexibility for the greatest amount of users, at the lowest possible cost,
it is recommended that the following three Optiplex models be offered as a standard: Dell Optiplex 620
- Minitower
- Desktop
- Ultra-small Form Factor
The proposal is not to offer any of the 520 models as a standard configuration (although they would still be available via special request), since the 620 models have all the capability of the 520 models, and more. Looking towards the future, the belief is that this will allow most users to use the PC for a greater period of time as standards and application requirements change.
Hardware Componenets:
The following are changes to the current default options:
- Floppy Drives
- Default: no floppy drive
- Upgrade option: Floppy drive available on all systems
- Processor - Single or dual core
- Default: Single core default
- Upgrade option: Dual core available
- Processor - Hyperthreading
- Default: Hyperthreading turned on
- Informational: Publish on HuskyPC web site information on taking
advantage of Hyperthreading as well as disabling it.
- Optical Disc drives
- Default: DVD\CD-RW combo
- Upgrade Option: DVD-R\W
- Note: No option for CD-ROM or CD-R\W drives
- USB Flash drives
- Default: None
- Upgrade Option: On all systems
- RAM
- Default: 512MB default (2 x 256MB modules)
- Upgrade Option: Typical upgrade options to 1GB, etc.
- Video
- Default: Intel on-board VGA\DVI, add-in card for DVI slot
- Upgrade Option: ATI Video Card
- Downgrade Option: No DVI add-in card
Additional Hardware Components:
- Monitor
- Default: 17" Flat Panel Monitor
- Upgrade Option: Standard upgrade options to larger size
- Upgrade Option: Dual monitors
- Downgrade Option: No Monitor
- Note: No CRT monitors available
- Hard Drive
- Default: 40GB Serial ATA 7200 RPM Hard Drive
- Upgrade Option: Larger hard drives available on all systems
- Upgrade Option: Second hard drive
- Keyboard
- Default: Dell USB Keyboard
- Upgrade Option: None
- Mouse
- Default: Dell USB Optical Mouse
- Upgrade Option: None
- Speakers
- Default: Sound bar for UltraSharp Monitors
- Upgrade Option: Standalone Speakers
- Warranty
- Default: 3yr Limited Warranty plus 3 Year NBD On-Site Service + Gold Support
- Upgrade Option: Upgrade to 4 and 5 years on warranty and Gold Support
Supported Software
UConn Applications
The following application providers were consulted in forming this recommendation:
- WebCT Vista
- PeopleSoft
- BRIO
- WinJa
- VPN (No Response)
- ePortfolio (No Response)
- Payroll Timecard system (No Response)
- Electronic Course Reserve (No Response)
Software Additions:
It is recommended that the following software packages be added HuskyPC package:
- Symantec Antivirus 10
- Upgrade current version to latest available
- Firefox
- Should replace Netscape as the secondary system browser
- Should be tested to work with all UConn-supported applications
- When official security warnings\notifications are issued, Firefox
should be included
- FileZilla
- FTP and sFTP client
- Will be used to replace WS_FTP
- Free license (to be approved by Purchasing)
Software Removals:
It is recommended that the following software packages be added HuskyPC package:
- WS_FTP LE
- Outdated software - cannot perform sFTP; FTP only
- Replace with FileZilla
- Netscape
- Replace with Firefox
- Roxio\CD burning
- UConn is not licensed for Roxio on new drives, since the company was purchased by Sonic.
- It is recommended that most users use Windows native burning
tools for basic creation of CD's - If customers order a DVD-RW drive the Sonic Record Now Deluxe
burning software will be included - If ordering a DVD\CD-R\W combo drive an option should be
available on the Premier site which allows customers to order Sonic
Record Now Deluxe software at an additional cost.- Customers will receive a boxed version of the software, which will need to be installed after the PC is installed.
- Microsoft Java Virtual Machine
- Replace with Sun Java
- WinJa no longer requires the Microsoft JVM
Configurations
The following software and operating system configurations are recommended:
- Default web browser: Internet Explorer
- Necessary BRIO Configuration:
- Internet Explorer Security settings: enable "Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls"
- Advanced Security options: "Allow active content to run in files on My Computer"
- Browser pop-up blockers enabled
- Allow all pop-us for *.uconn.edu
- Allow pop-ups for 137.99.109.21 (BRIO)
- Include all Excel add-in components
- Disable Remote Desktop
- Add scripts to start menu
- Start Remote Desktop
- Stop Remote Desktop
- Remote Desktop Access only available from 137.99.*.*
- Remote Desktop from off campus must be through VPN
- Pre-configure Windows firewall to allow access
- Turn on remote assistance
- Add scripts to start menu
- Services
- Remote Registry disabled
- Windows messenger service disabled
- Software Update Services
- Microsoft Update should be used to replace Windows Update Services, as Microsoft Update will patch both Windows and Office products as well as other Microsoft software installed.
- Microsoft Update services should be configured to download updates automatically each day.
- Configure Symantec Antivirus to download virus updates daily.
Additional considerations
- Java 1.5 causes problems with WebCT Vista
- Java v1.4.1 and 1.4.2 known to work well
- WebCT frequently releases fixes
- TSS should have a WebCT account for testing, ensure functionality
- Ensure that PDF files are able to be opened, forms filled out in Firefox