Desktop/Workstation Support

Level of support

We are able to address your needs if you want to setup a dedicated workstation for your research work. This dedicated workstation will be purchased by the requester own funds. Our team can help you setting up the Operating system, Network configuration and Software installation/configuration. Due to limited human resources, however, Linux desktop support is offered on a best-effort basis.

Requesting Linux/Windows Non-Domain Machine on Network

You need to follow below procedure to request Linux or any non-domain machine on network.

1. Provide us with your Workstation Information
   1. MAC address of the device
   2. Research discipline – Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical or Petroleum
   3. Name of responsible researcher
   4. Name of responsible professor
   5. Name of machine
   6. Purpose of machine
   7. Operating system
   8. Room number
   9. DHCP or Static IP address
2. Supervisor Approval
   1. We will require approval from your supervisor indicating his willingness to allow this machine on network. Please also mention the users who will have access tho this machine.
3. Export Control
   1. You need to have export control done for your machine and if you will be using any software on it. Please email lina.masad (at) qatar.tamu.edu and specify the details of your workstation and software which will be used.
4. Your machine will be part of Research VLAN. Please specify for how long you will need this workstation on our network? A rough estimate will be okay too.
5. We need your Server Details
   1. Operating System type and version.
   2. Operating System Patch schedule/Plan
   3. Installed services, applications, and their patching mechanisms.
   4. Server/machine physical location.
6. Please go through Security Controls and Compliance with University Rules:
   1. User accounts access/control and management - local/remote, root/administrative/non- administrative accounts:
   2. SAP 29.01.03.M1.03S
   3. AP 29.01.03.M1.04 c. SAP 29.01.03.M1.14
   4. Server Hardening (OS, applications, and services, etc.) and best practices: SAP 29.01.03.M1.20
   5. Local firewall configurations (iptables, etc.): SAP 29.01.03.M1.20
   6. Host-based Intrusion Detection/Prevention and Antivirus: SAP 29.01.03.M1.23
   7. Logging (services, access, applications, etc.): SAP 29.01.03.M1.18
   8. Data classification and protection (in-transit, at-rest): SAP 29.01.03.M1.29
   9. Scanning Requirements - The machine will be periodically scanned/assessed for vulnerabilities: SAP 29.01.03.M1.01
7. You will need to fill yearly ISAAC Report to make sure you are regulating university IT Polices ISAAC: Owners/Custodians of the system must complete yearly assessment through ISAAC: SAP 29.01.03.M1.26. All these SAP rules are listed here [TAMU SAP RULES http://rules-saps.tamu.edu/TAMURulesAndSAPs.aspx]

Once you have gathered all the information, please email at helpdesk (at) qatar.tamu.edu. You need to attach supervisor and export control approval emails in this request.