Using Microsoft Windows in the ENS Labs

The PCs in the ENS labs (identified by a black computer tower) run Windows 7. The Sun Rays in the labs (identified by slim silver boxes about the size of a small book) connect directly to servers which run Windows Server 2008 R2, and may also connect to Linux and Solaris servers.

More information about general Sun Ray use can be found here.

Some things you should know about using Windows in the ENS labs:

• Please be sure you have read the ENS lab & classroom use policies.
• ENS maintains some specific restrictions on tasks that normal users are allowed to access. This is normal and expected of public computer labs and includes things that affect settings for all users, machine security settings, etc.
• You must use an Engineering account to log into an ENS lab computer. The Engineering account is normally the same as your eID.
• Windows PCs will log you off after 20 minutes of inactivity. This is so others can use this valuable resource. (No, you cannot lock a machine to run simulations for hours or days. There are other resources for this.)
• Please click the Log Off icon on the desktop when finished with your session.
• For "legacy" applications, that is, older software applications that do not work properly with newer versions of Windows, ENS uses a virtualization solution to provide you with legacy application software. In the Windows Start Menu, you will see a folder called "Legacy Apps". Shortcuts in this folder will open in a virtual Windows session, and may have some limitations. Please see the Legacy Applications page for more information.
• Some software is restricted by department, class or major. If you receive a message that you do not have permissions to run a software application, please see the list of lab software to determine if you are eligible to use it (and how to obtain it if not.)

Legacy Applications

For "legacy" applications, that is, older software applications that do not work properly with newer versions of Windows, ENS uses virtualization solutions to provide you with legacy application software. Please see the Legacy Applications page for more information.