Service catalogue

Our Service Catalogue is a list of services provided by IT Services to members of the University of Sussex and certain categories of visitors.

Each service within the catalogue typically includes a brief description of the service and how to access it, who is entitled to use/request the service, details of availability and service maintenance, and links to further information. This is intended to help improve knowledge within the University of the range of services we currently provide and to help users get more out of them. The range of services offered is reviewed annually with the University IT Consultative Group.

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Teaching and Learning
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Network and Storage

Linux Service

Service ID

8

Summary

Provides staff (and eligible postgraduate students) with a Linux client environment, comprising software applications supporting personal productivity and Teaching & Learning programmes provided by the University.

Permitted users

  1. Staff members of the University of Sussex.
  2. Research postgraduates.

Gaining access

Access to the service requires an IT Services username and password. This is issued as part of the enrolment/employment process. 

Hours of operation

This service is accessible 24 hours a day, subject to building opening hours.

Supported period

Normal working days.

Scheduled maintenance

Updates to the Linux desktop are made automatically.

Change control

Software application changes (upgrades, additions or removals) follow a procedure described here:

Software@Sussex FAQs.  Changes will be advertised in the normal ways.

 

ITS Responsibilities

  1. To monitor security issues and take appropriate action should any problems arise.
  2. To investigate and fix any campus-wide issues arising within Linux desktop software on IT Services-managed machines.
  3. To repair/replace broken Linux workstations.
  4. To consult with teaching staff and students annually to review software requirements (see #26 Applications Software Management).
  5. To remotely deploy additional Linux software where this is required by a number of staff members.

Service user responsibilities

Users are expected :

  1. To know how to use Linux systems and software; 
  2. to report faults as they arise via the webform:  http://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/help/;
  3. To use the Service responsibly;
  4. To log-out when leaving a workstation.

              

Service dependencies

Service depends on Data Network (#1); Managed Filestore (#2).

Detailed service description

The Linux desktop service provides a Linux client environment on Staff and Research postgraduate workstations across campus.  It comprises a set of software applications supporting personal productivity and Teaching & Learning programmes provided by the University. The Linux service software for staff is detailed here:

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/services/software/list?filter=linux

 For workstations without a networked home directory, a software application is provided to enable back-up of data stored on the local home directory:

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/services/staffservices/crashplanpro

The Linux service further  ensures a secure and stable working environment for staff and research postgraduate desktops across campus via the remote deployment of appropriate security updates to all managed desktops.

Links to ITS documentation

Definitions

Normal working days
These are defined for all ITS services as Monday – Friday inclusive, but excluding Bank Holidays and University Minimum Service Days.
Scheduled Maintenance
IT username and password
These are the login credentials, issued by IT Services to registered students and current staff of the University of Sussex, enabling access to email, workstations and other services requiring authentication.

New and changed services

Information about changes to services including any scheduled maintenance, are posted on the IT Services website and distributed by the IT Services Facebook, Twitter and RSS feed. Current service status traffic light information is also displayed on the IT Services website.

If the service you are enquiring about is not described below, please get in touch.

User responsibilities

All service users are expected to abide by the rules and regulations described in Regulations for the use of Information and Communication Technology and to report faults, as they arise, to IT Services.

Updated on 17 October 2013