Overview
Lab and Classroom Software
Software On Personal Machines
Hello World!
ETS Provides a multitude of software. Please see the Software List for the software we install. If you need software that is not on the list please contact ETS. If you need software installed on a certain machine, please put in a service request.
Lab Software Requests
To ensure that we do not continue to purchase or install software that will not be used, faculty and staff must request what they need before each semester starts. Students must route requests through a faculty or staff member. The cutoff for spring semester software requests is the last day of the Fall semester. The cutoff for Fall semester requests is May 31.
Unless a software package is specifically requested each year, the software package will not be installed – even if it has been installed in the past.
We understand that certain special events may require special software or changes to the software configuration already in the labs, once these deadlines are past. If you need special software installed or configured, please allow a minimum of 2 weeks for setup.
Who Pays for Software?
Software that is not free will require a CSU account code to purchase. ETS does not fund software. If non-free software is requested, the faculty member has two choices:
- Provide a CSU account code to purchase the software. ETS will obtain a quote from the software vendor if desired.
- Ask your department to fund the software. This is the most typical case. ETS compiles all software requests and provides them to your department for you. It is in your best interest to communicate with your department head and provide justification for the software. Please understand that ETS does not make the funding decision, rather your home department will make that decision and supply the necessary funding.
Where is Software Installed?
Software to be installed in any Engineering College computer lab will typically be installed on Windows computers in all ETS-managed College labs, including the Virtual Classroom (if possible), unless requested otherwise. “All for one, one for all!”
If software is available for Linux, we can usually install it on the Linux Compute Servers. Please specify on the request form that you want it installed on those servers.
If you would like the software installed on other computers, for example your office computer, please fill out a service request to have it installed.
How Can I Get Software Installed?
Where do you need software?
In a lab or the Virtual Classroom?
- If you are a faculty or staff member, please use our request form. Please be aware of the our install deadlines.
- If you are a student, please route any install requests through your professor or department. We cannot install anything in the labs or classrooms without a staff or faculty request.
On the Windows/Linux compute servers or on the cluster?
- Please put in a service request. All requests for installation on the compute servers must come from a staff or faculty member.
On your office computer?
- If licensing permits, please put in a service request. and we can install it for you!
How Does Network Licensing Work?
We typically use a form of network licensing called concurrent, or floating, licensing. This means that while there are a finite number of licenses available, we can install the software on all of the lab computers. A server keeps track of how many licenses are “checked out”, and when that number reaches the maximum capacity, no one can open the software on another computer until someone “checks in” the license by closing the program on the other computer.
For example, say there are 30 concurrent licenses of SuperMathProgram available. We install SuperMathProgram on 200 lab computers. The software can only be used in 30 places at once. If you have a class of 34, you will not have enough licenses for all of the students in your class to open SuperMathProgram. If you have a class of 20, you’re probably fine, as long as you don’t expect more than 10 other users throughout the labs to be using the program at any one time. (Keep in mind other instructors may be using the same program at the same time!)
The other form of network licensing is a site license. This allows an infinite number of licenses for a specific software package. It is usually much more expensive but easier to manage.
If you’re curious about the number of licenses we have available for a particular software package, go to the Software List and click on a specific software package. It will show the number of licenses, or indicate if we have a site license available.
Although ETS manages the license servers, we do not manage the licenses themselves. In other words, we do not decide who gets to use the software licenses or when. Licenses are checked out on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of licenses for each software package are determined by those who purchase the software package (see “Who Pays For Software?”, above.)
Software Specific Notes
Please Use Firefox for your Browser
Mozilla Firefox is our recommended web browser and is used throughout the ETS labs.
Office Productivity Software
Microsoft Office is the College’s standard office productivity software package. It is site-licensed software, so it may be installed on any CSU-owned computer. Professor Fontane has developed a Microsoft Excel and VBA Tips web site.
Adobe Acrobat Pro is only licensed for faculty and staff.
MATLAB
MATLAB is a teaching and research software tool used heavily within the College of Engineering. Learn more about MATLAB.
Mathcad
Mathcad is a mathematics modelling software package used by several Engineering classes. Mathcad is available in the college computer labs and the Virtual Lab. However, there are a limited number of licenses available, and at peak times, you may have to wait to have your turn with the software. You can purchase and install your own Mathcad at a special student rate.
ANSYS
ANSYS is a flow and heat transfer modeling software tool used in some courses and for research. Tutorials are available on the ANSYS Student web site. There is also a FREE download of a student version of ANSYS available through the ANSYS Student web site.
Autodesk / AutoCAD
Some Autodesk products, including AutoCAD, is available as a site license for CSU. Students, faculty, and staff may download free copies of Autodesk products, including AutoCAD. More info
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Please let us know by emailing us at help@engr.colostate.edu or by contacting us via the ETS Freshservice site.
