IT Facilities for Students

Computing and IT Facilities

Hartpury College provides two main facilities to support students with their studies; the Academic Computing Service and the ResNet Service.

Academic Computing Service

The Academic Computing Service is a combined set of services (network, computing & printing) for educational use only.  The college supplies and supports several computer suites, based at various locations around the site, providing users with access to approximately 160 computers connected to the academic network service.  The Microsoft Windows XP operating system[1] and the Microsoft Office 2007 Office productivity software suite[2] is installed on these computers, which are connected to the academic network.  Access to this service is free of charge.  The service also provides users with access to chargeable printing facilities in every computer suite location.  All students have access to the academic computing service, which provides users with the ability to;

  • browse web sites[3] and the Internet,
  • access the college email system via a web browser,
  • access other Internet provided services,
  • prepare word processed documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

Every user is issued with a personal computer account which provides a unique username and password allowing use of the computers on the Academic Computing Service.  Users are also issued with a personal email account (if requested) and file storage space (space is reserved on the network to save files).  A self-service booking PC service, and a staff moderated PC booking service, is operated by the college on computers installed in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) to ensure all students have fair and equal access to these resources. 

The Residential Network (ResNet) Service

The ResNet Service is provided by Hartpury College in the Learning Resource Centre and in all onsite residential accommodation free of charge.  The service provides users with the ability to:

  • browse web sites3 and the Internet,
  • access the college email system via your web browser,
  • access other Internet provided services.

The service should be viewed as an “ADSL like” service you might have at home.  Bandwidth restrictions may be imposed to ensure fair and equal access is available for all students. 

ResNet – Equipment requirements in onsite accommodation

Students wishing to make use of the ResNet service must supply their own computers fitted with wireless networking cards supporting the 802.11b or 802.11g wireless networking standards.  Most modern laptop computers have wireless networking technology built in to the laptop.  Most desktop computers are not supplied with wireless networking cards installed as standard.  Users with desktop computers will probably need to purchase and install a separate wireless networking card.  These wireless cards typically cost £30 or less.  Please note there are limited areas in the New Vicarage and Catsbury accommodation where a wired connection is available.  Residents with their own desktop computer in these locations may not need to purchase a wireless network card, just a Cat5e UTP cable which typically costs £3 or less.  Basic PC requirements include:

  • a desktop or laptop computer,
  • a wireless networking card supporting the 802.11b/g standard,
  • anti-virus software,
  • personal firewall software.

Apple Mac computers running OS X should work on the ResNet service, but this has not been tested and the IT Helpdesk cannot offer any support.

ResNet – Equipment requirements in offsite accommodation

The offsite ResNet service is accessed via a wireless connection in the same way as the onsite ResNet service.  Hence the equipment requirements are the same as those for users in onsite accommodation.

Information and IT Security on ResNet

Users are responsible for the security of their own computers and data. The college does provide a basic firewall service on the border of the ResNet service, but it is highly recommended all users install and use a firewall on their own computer.  Nearly all modern operating systems such as Windows XP, Windows 7 and Linux distributions provide built in firewall services.  Also it is highly recommended all users install an anti-virus product.  There are lots of free versions available on the Internet and users are advised to search the Internet for the latest recommendations and product reviews.  Alternatively you can purchase these products from your local PC store.

Support

The ResNet service is supported and maintained by the IT Team at Hartpury College.  Support is provided via the IT Helpdesk and users of the service can request help and assistance either via email or telephone.  The IT Helpdesk is available from 08:30 hours until 17:00 hours Monday to Friday and unfortunately can only provide the necessary support to enable users to establish a connection to the ResNet service.  Users with any other problems with hardware and software will need to contact their vendor for support.

Rules & Regulations

The following rules exist in order for the IT team to operate and maintain the ResNet service and the Academic Computing service effectively and securely, and to provide the best service possible to all users. 

All users of IT and computing facilities, the Academic Computing service, including all users of the offsite and onsite ResNet service must abide by the Hartpury College Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).  The Hartpury College ICT AUP is available on the student portal.

Additionally, because Hartpury College is connected to the Internet via the Joint Academic Network (JANET), which has its own Acceptable Use Policy, users must also agree to abide by the JANET AUP.   The JANET AUP can be viewed at; http://www.ja.net/services/publications/policy/aup.html

Disclaimer

Use of college IT equipment and networks is entirely at the user’s own risk and the college will not be liable for any loss or consequential loss arising from the loss or corruption of data and files or damage to hardware however caused. 

[1] Likely to be upgraded to Windows 7 at the beginning of the 2010-2011 academic year

[2] Likely to be upgraded to Office 2010 at the beginning of the 2010-2011 academic year

[3] The College operates a web content filtering policy and blocks access to unsuitable sites in line with its’ child protection responsibilities

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