MICROCOMPUTER TEACHING LABORATORY - 220 JCH

This college facility is used primarily for teaching both general and specific computing skills. When a class is not using the lab it is open for both graduate and undergraduate students. Usage does not require an account.  Graduate students have unrestricted access after hours through a keyless entry system. Undergraduate students are restricted to open lab hours.

• Equipment

Computer - 33 Dell Optiplex computers. Each computer has an Intel Core 2 Duo 3.33 GHz processor, 22” flat panel display, 160 GB disk storage, 4 Gb RAM, and a DVD+/-RW drive.

Network - All computers in the lab are networked using Ethernet cabling, Windows XP, and a file server located in room 216A. The file server has a Quad Core Intel Xeon 2.8 GHz processor, 2.5 Tb of disk storage, and 4 GB of RAM. The server enables users to share files and have centralized printing capabilities.

Printer -There is a Dell laser printer connected to every computer via the network.  Usage of the printer is through a university based pay system (Hokie Passport, see www.hokiepassport.vt.edu for setup) and the cost is 10 cents per page.

• Software

Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Office 2007
ESRI GIS software
SAS
Various compilers
Erdas Imagine
Other miscellaneous software

• File storage

Users are allowed to store files on either the local hard drive of the computer they are working on, or the network "Home" folder. However, periodically the local and network drives are deleted of all files. Graduate students that have large storage needs may apply for a user account on the CEARS laboratory server, which can be accessed from the Microcomputer Teaching Laboratory.  This will allow them a password protected storage area that is backed up nightly.

• Microlab hours

• After hours access

After hours access is available to faculty, staff, and graduate students using our card reader entry system. See Lon Weber to be enrolled so that you may have after hour’s access.