Desktop and Mobile Computing

Service Description

isginf provides services fo the full life cycle of the offered and supported operating systems. This includes installation, hardware configuration, software management and maintenance. We also take care that all the relevant security patches and bug fixes will be (automatically) installed as soon as they are available. Usually maintenance of the machines is done in background or during off-hours, e.g., in the evening.

The life cycle of an operating system begins with an installation request (Installation Form). Multi-boot systems (i.e. Linux and Windows) are usually possible. The operating systems are configured with specific settings following isginf best practices and specific group needs. For example, identity management (i.e., user accounts), $HOME-folders, and default printers are pre-configured.

Desktop Computers

On desktop computers with permanent network connection to the ETH network we offer Windows, Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora Linux. Dual-boot installations are possible. Usually you choose between Red Hat or Fedora. Tripple-boot installations are done on Student Lab machines only.

Mobile Computers

For mobile use we only support Windows. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is not recommended for mobile use, but we will offer it on a best effort base.

Software

We install a basic set of software containing the most important and common applications. Additional software can be requested. For the OSes we support, we already have a long list of software packages ready for automatic deployment. Extra software can be packaged on request.

Administrative/Root Rights

Normally isginf keeps exclusive administrative rights on the machines it manages. If needed, we can provide ITC or users with administrative rights. In this case the support will be on a best effort base. If desired we can still provide automatic updates to the system.

Policies for "End of Life" of the Supported Operating Systems for Desktop and Mobile Devices

RedHat Enterprise Linux

• The approximate RedHat release cycle is 18 months
• End of installation for release N: when isginf introduces release N+2 (approximatively 36 months after introduction of release N)
• End of support for release N: when isginf introduces release N+2 + 6 months (approximatively 42 months after introduction of release N)

Fedora Linux

• Support for Fedora is limited.
• The approximate Fedora Linux release cycle is 6 months
• End of installation for release N: when isginf introduces release N+1
• End of support for release N: when isginf introduces release N+1

Microsoft Windows

• The approximative Microsoft Windows release cycle is 3 years
• End of installation for release N: 2 years after isginf introduces release N+1 (approximatively 5 years after introduction of release N)
• End of support for release N: when isginf introduces release N+2 (approximatively 6 years after introduction of release N)

Currently Supported OSes

Service Documentation

For more detailed description have a look at the subtopics concerning Windows and Linux.

How to Request this Service

To request a fresh installation or re-installation of your computer just ask your ITC and he/she will then fill out the Installation Form. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask your IT Coordinator or isginf.