Supported Operating Systems

Current Builds

All new computers purchased through ETS will be installed with Windows 10 Enterprise.

All college Window computer labs now use Windows Server 2012.

All college Linux labs now use CentOS 7

Computers connected to the Engineering network must have a supported operating system and, if Microsoft based, be added to the Engineering domain. Computers with unsupported operating systems risk being disconnected from the physical network.

Supported

CentOS 7.x or greater
Mac OS X 10.10 or greater
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise
Mint is the preferred, Ubuntu and CentOS if necessary (latest two releases)

UnSupported

Mac OS X 10.0 – 10.9
Microsoft Windows 8, 8.1, and RT
Solaris variants
BSD variants

Disallowed

Mac OS 8 & 9 (all releases)
Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows XP Home
Microsoft Windows 7
All other operating systems not in the “supported” or “unsupported” lists

Support Rationale

A lack of support for operating systems is due to many factors, including recent Microsoft Windows security updates, the difficulty of integration into our network, Microsoft’s planned obsolescence of its older operating systems, and the natural obsolescence of software. More recently, the advent of more persistent computer viruses and related Spyware and other Malware mean that older operating systems pose a threat to the security of the entire network. For this reason, please work with ETS to ensure that older operating systems are phased out.

Common Questions

Q: “What does ‘unsupported’ mean? If I have an Engineering-owned computer with an unsupported operating system, does that mean I cannot ask ETS for help?”: A: ETS will make a reasonable attempt to configure your computer to interface with the Engineering network for Internet access only. As a result, access to services provided by ETS will not be available. We will not be able to help install applications or troubleshoot problems with the operating system. If you wish, we will help you upgrade your operating system to one that is supported. However, there may be a cost associated with the upgrade, for which you may be responsible.; ETS does charge a fee of $46 per hour for work outside our normal scope. This includes working with unsupported operating systems.
Q: “What does ‘disallowed’ mean? Does that mean I’m not even allowed to use that operating system?”: A: These computers are not allowed to connect to the university network, because they pose a significant security risk to the entire network. You may still use these operating systems, just not connect them to the CSU network. We understand that there are some cases where outdated operating systems are still needed to interface with old equipment. In such cases, we will work with you to determine a solution that allows you to access your computer’s data without exposing the network to security risks.
Q: “Am I required to upgrade my version of Windows if I am using an unsupported operating system?”: A: No. Please realize, however, that we will be limited in our support to your computer, as mentioned in the previous question.
Q: “I have a personal laptop I want to use to get onto the Engineering network. Can you help me configure it?”: A: No. ENS is unable to support personal computers.