Welcome to the University of Arizona College of Engineering! IT support services at UA are shared by several providers, including a central IT organization (UITS), various campus IT departmental units (ENGR-IT), and other, more specialized service units. Here's a summarized guide to how to get started with some of the most commonly-requested services. It's very long, sorry! We tried to cover a lot of different types of questions. But don't worry too much if you don't find your question below! You can always get in touch with us directly, and we'll make sure you get connected with the best resources for your IT needs.
Wired Network Services (Firewall, IP)
Web Interface
To quickly get access to your UA email, you can point a web browser here:
To sign in, use your full email address (netid@arizona.edu), and your NetID password.
Desktop/Mobile Clients
You can also access your email on all kinds of mail clients. UITS has a very comprehensive guide here:
https://uarizona.service-now.com/sp?id=kb_article_view&sys_kb_id=57c93adf970c7194b41055b00153af0d
Websites
Personal
ENGR-IT has long supported hosting of basic HTML/PHP websites. If you like you can have a personal website in the public_html directory of your Unix home directory.
Research Lab
ENGR-IT is also happy to support hosting your research website in a similar manner. Please let us know if you’re interested in this service. There is no charge for this service, but you would be the sponsor and would be responsible to see that the site meets University standards for access and media.
Below please find links to a few HTML/PHP websites hosted on College of Engineering Servers:
http://mwca.ece.arizona.edu/index.htm
If this service fits your needs, then we are happy to help get this going. Please send information about the name of the URL for the site such as:
http://www.YourLabName.engr.arizona.edu
There are branding resources for UA websites that can be found here:
If you are looking for a hosting service that includes database services or cPanel access or support hosting for web applications like Joomla, WordPress or Drupal, please see the list of services provided by several campus groups below.
The newest offering for faculty web sites is called Arizona Faculty Sites:
CALS does some web services and may be able to help:
https://cct.cals.arizona.edu/services/web-development
The University also offers a service for a fee called UA Sites:
There are some other groups on campus that also will build custom sites:
http://biocom.arizona.edu/service-type/web-development
Procuring Computer Equipment
Recommended Computers
ENGR-IT maintains a list of recommended computers for office and lab use here:
We can usually administer alternatives to these recommendations, but we strongly recommend enterprise models from either Dell, Lenovo, HP, or Microsoft. The College of Engineering IT does not administer or directly support MacOS computers, but they are permitted on the campus network and we are happy to help select and purchase them for you.
High-performance computing needs will vary by application, and we can help with selecting appropriate hardware. Please get in touch with us and we'll arrange a quote for your specific needs.
Placing Orders
ENGR-IT can always provide guidance on compatible equipment and accessories, and we can order equipment for you. This is usually easier for your accountants than processing a personal reimbursement or using a department purchasing card. Just let us know what you're looking for and we'll help find a good fit at a good price!
New Computer Setup
ENGR-IT can configure new (or old) computers as managed domain systems. This process usually only takes from a few hours to a business day. As part of this configuration, you get:
- Windows Enterprise or Fedora/CentOS/Ubuntu Linux
NetID-based login (no account management necessary) - UA licensed software including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, MATLAB, Ansys, and SolidWorks
- Managed software/OS updates and antivirus
- Seamless access to ENGR and UA resources
After initial setup, you can administer the system with your own account credentials and add or remove software as needed. We just want to you to be able to spend less time setting up your computers, and more time using them!
Obtaining Software
Existing Licensed Software
UA has campus licenses for many engineering software applications, including MATLAB, Ansys, and SolidWorks. Download links and licensing information for campus-wide licenses are available here:
https://softwarelicense.arizona.edu/
The College of Engineering has a STEM Academic Alliance account with Microsoft called the Imagine program. A link to the login is here:
https://aka.ms/devtoolsforteaching
If you're looking for software for your home/personally owned computers, the University has a faculty/staff portal for best pricing that can be found here:
New Licenses
If you're looking for software that isn't already on a campus license, please get in touch with us so we can help coordinate licensing. Here's why:
- Many engineering applications use a floating (or network) licensing model, which usually requires a dedicated server to keep track of license usage. We can provide the server, but we need to be able to interface with the vendor to download software updates and to provide technical information about the server.
- Many academic software vendors require a signed license agreement to affirm that the software will be used in compliance with their usage restrictions. Only the UA Contracting Office is authorized to provide a physical signature for agreements on behalf of UA. This process is lengthy, but ENGR-IT can help navigate it with you.
Lab Resources
Shared Storage
ENGR-IT manages high-availability Windows and Linux storage for personal and lab files in our data center in the ECE building, and UA manages web-based cloud storage (Box@UA) for collaboration with non-UA parties. Please let us know if you'd like us to set up native Windows or Linux shared file storage for your lab. You can get started with Box here:
https://it.arizona.edu/service/boxua
There are of course lots of ways to share files with colleagues and with your lab, and most are at least acceptable for unsecured data. You're welcome to use whatever works for you, but please consider risks regarding data loss (reliability) or data theft/falsification (security) when selecting a storage solution. Please also be familiar with UA data security requirements here:
https://security.arizona.edu/data-classification-and-handling-standard
Quick reference:
https://security.arizona.edu/data-classification-and-handling-standard#filesharingguide
Secure Infrastructure
For research projects with ITAR, CUI, HIPAA, or other data security requirements, ENGR-IT can help you work with the UA export control office or other compliance offices for a suitable Technology Control Plan, and we can help manage a secure environment that satisfies these requirements. Failure to meet data security requirements on research projects can incur both civil and criminal penalties, so please get in touch with us if you are interested in these kinds of projects.
Poster Printing
All ENGR faculty are entitled to poster printing services in support of their research or academics. We can provide up to three posters per year per faculty at no cost, or you can purchase additional posters on non-sponsored UA funds. More information about that program is here:
Printer Sharing
ENGR-IT can host lab printers on our print server to provide access to your whole team. Here's a list of our recommended printers, by the way:
PLEASE NOTE: Wireless printers will not work on the UA wireless network. If you want your lab to have access to a network printer, it needs to have a wired network port.
Code Sharing/Version Control
ENGR-IT can host and manage Git for your research group.
High-Performance Computing
The UA HPC research center provides access to its HPC cluster to faculty at no cost, and you can buy into the service for additional compute time and priority. There's lots of information about the program here:
Linux Shell
ENGR-IT can configure and support full Linux installations on lab computers, and we also have a couple of shared Linux shell servers for occasional needs. Here's info on how to use those:
How can I access my College of Engineering shell account from home?
Server Colocation
ENGR-IT can host physical servers in a secure, climate-controlled environment in our datacenter in the ECE building. Servers must be rack-mountable, and we recommend dual power supplies to reduce downtime.
Wired Network Services (Firewall, IP)
ENGR-IT manages the requests for firewall changes on the wired network environments in Engineering offices, labs, and classrooms. The University manages access to the UA network via Wired Network Registrations using the protocol 802.1x. More information can be found here:
https://uarizona.service-now.com/sp?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=ac521541db347c109627d90d689619c8
If you need a static IP or firewall exceptions, or if you have other special networking needs, please contact ENGR-IT for assistance.
Instructional Resources
Teaching With Technology
Most UA classrooms have equipment for recording and publishing class lectures using Panopto, Zoom, or Teams. Classrooms have widely varying recording capabilities, however, so please let us know right away if you intend to record your classes, especially if you have distance students in any of your classes. We have gear like microphones, webcams, and document cameras for instructional recording needs.
OIA has more info about the various instructional technology offerings on campus here: https://oia.arizona.edu/content/6
Classroom Support
Most UA classrooms are supported by Classroom Technology Services, but some are supported by ENGR-IT or by other groups (e.g., the UA Libraries). Most classrooms will have support contact information clearly marked on the computer monitor or around the instructor station, but just in case:
CTS Phone: (520) 621-3852
ENGR-IT Phone: (520) 626-7094
D2L Support
You can find lots of helpful links about using D2L here:
http://help.d2l.arizona.edu/instructors
We're not experts in D2L but you're also welcome to contact us with any specific questions and we'll do our best to help out!
Instructional Computer Labs
ENGR-IT manages several computer labs around campus for instructional use. Software needs for these computer labs should be addressed before each semester begins to ensure proper installation and configuration, as well as minimizing downtime during semester usage.
Additional Resources
UA IT has a very thorough list of computing services available to you on the IT Service Catalog:
https://it.arizona.edu/getting-started/faculty
...and that's not even all! If you don't see what you're looking for here or in the catalog, or if you're not even sure what you're looking for, we're here to help! Feel free to get in touch with us with any tech questions and we'll help you get going. Thanks for being part of the UA Engineering family!