Skip redundant pieces
KUMC Policies, Procedures and Operational Protocols  :  Information Resources Policies and Operational Protocols

Desktop Computer Standard at KU Medical Center: the Dell Optiplex Line

To purchase a new computer visit http://www2.kumc.edu/dell for more information

Hardware and OS Standards | Software Standards | Security Standards

It is important to use common desktop computing tools at KU Medical Center for a number of reasons, including:

  • facilitating the sharing of documents and applications among members of the KUMC community
  • improving the reliability and stability of our networks
  • focusing our training, development, and other computer support activities
  • containing the costs associated with computer support

Hardware and operating system.

The standard desktop computing system at KU Medical Center is a Dell OptiPlex running Windows XP. To purchase a new computer visit http://www2.kumc.edu/dell for more information. Everyone who uses a computer for typical productivity purposes (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation development, desktop database, e-mail, WWW "browsing," desktop publishing, standard graphics applications, and other comparable applications) is expected to use this platform. These standard Optiplex computers will be supported by the technology support services from the perspectives of:

  • network connectivity and remote network access
  • help desk
  • limited hardware support [comprehensive hardware support is available from 3rd-party sources]
  • training and consultation
  • student access to computers
  • assistance with the development of software programs, WWW documents, and other information management tools and resources.

Some software applications, particularly those used in research areas, may require an alternative platform (Macintosh, various forms of UNIX, Alpha, etc.) These platforms will be supported from the perspective of network connectivity.

Computer Hardware Standards

Recommended PC Configuration Standard (Use for purchasing a new Optiplex system)

Minimum PC configuration to be connected to the KUMC network

Processor

Pentium 4 Core 2 Duo, 1.8Ghz or greater

Pentium 3 800 mhz

Operating System

Windows XP Professional

Windows XP

RAM

2GB preferred

512 MB

Hard disk storage

80 GB or greater

  

DVD drive

48X DVD (or DVD-RW)

 CD-ROM Read/Write

Multimedia features

Standard Sound card, inexpensive speakers

  

Network Card

IntelPro 10/100/1000+

10 MB Network Card

Removable high-density storage
(recommended)

USB flash memory drives variously known as JumpDrives, Flash Memory Keys, Flash Drives, etc. (see Operational Protocol regarding flash drives)

 

Monitor

17" flat panel or larger

  

Computer Software Standards

Category

(who needs this)

Recommended Purchase Standard

Use If Purchasing A New Machine or Components:

Minimum Computer Standard

Use to Evaluate a Machine You Already Own:

Where to Acquire

Productivity Software

(students, employees)

Microsoft Office Professional 2007 or Office 2003

Microsoft Office 2003

KUMC departments: Your department tech or KUMC Networking Department;
Students & home use: E-Academy via myKUMC Services tab

Browser

(students, employees)

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, or Firefox 2.0 or higher

Included in Windows operating systems; updates at Microsoft.com or for Firefox at Mozilla.com

KUMC Standard Browser Plug-ins

(students, employees)

 

Adobe Acrobat  Reader

RealOne Player

Shockwave for Director

Chime 2.0  beta 4
(First year medical students only.)

Flash Player

Links to vendor's download sites available in myKUMC under the Services tab.

Email - on campus

(employees, students in ITC)

GroupWise

GroupWise

KUMC Networking Department

Email - off campus

(employees, students)

Groupwise WebAccess

Groupwise WebAccess

webmail.kumc.edu

Remote Access

Broadband Internet connection with VPN client

Windows Dial Up Networking or
broadband internet connection with VPN client

Call (913) 588-4900 for details

WWW development
(anyone creating web pages)

Adobe Contribute

Contact Internet Development

Anti-Virus
(students, employees)

McAfee ViruScan

McAfee ViruScan

KUMC Networking Department

Communications Software
(special purposes only)

PCAnywhere

PCAnywhere

See Purchasing Desktop Software

Note to students, including distance-ed students: If you are an enrolled student at KUMC, and live within the local calling area, you can subscribe to KUMC Remote Access service. Call (913) 588-4900 for details.  If you are outside of the Kansas City or Wichita area, you must have your own Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Please note that KUMC Remote Access is a dial-up service. Generally, you will find your remote computing experience faster and more efficient if you have a broadband (cable, DSL) Internet connection from your local broadband service provider. Major providers in the Kansas City Metropolitan area include Time Warner, Comcast, and SBC Communications. The only advantage of a dial-up connection is lower cost.

Local students may use the extensive computing resources of the Dykes Library of the Health Sciences.

Site licenses for Microsoft Office, Publisher, GroupWise, McAfee:

All University employees have access to Microsoft Office Professional Enterprise (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, InfoPath), GroupWise, and McAfee AntiVirus through site licenses. You can secure these products from your departmental technician or the Networking Department (x87995).

Security Requirements

Security management tools protect the integrity and confidentiality of the university’s computer networks and network-attached systems. Common security tools must be used at KU Medical Center in order to:

  • assure operating system, virus protection, and other standard software is installed consistently
  • deploy operating system, virus protection, and other standard software updates to computers in a timely manner
  • provide centralized monitoring to detect computers compromised by virus or other malicious misuse
  • diminish impact and facilitate remediation when a computer is compromised

Each Windows computer connected directly to the network must run:

  • Windows XP
  • automatic patching through Windows Software Update Services (WSUS)
  • Novell Client32 software
  • Zenworks software enabled for remote support
  • current McAfee antivirus engine and current virus signatures (DAT) file

Each Windows computer that connects to the network via KUMC Online or VPN must run:

  • Windows XP
  • automatic patching through Windows Software Update Services (WSUS) or Windows Update
  • antivirus software with current updates
  • a password-protected screensaver

When connecting a Macintosh or Unix computer to the network, the user must:

  • ensure operating system patches or service packs are current
  • assure that the following protocols and services are disabled unless approved by security administrator: mailserver, dns, snmp, finger, ftp, tftp, http, and r-services. For assistance, call Customer Support 87995
  • control access using TCP Wrappers
  • maintain current antivirus software on Macs (site license provides Virex for computers on campus)

This page last updated: April 2007

Related Links

University of Kansas Medical Center Operational Protocol: Purchasing Desktop Software
University of Kansas Medical Center Operational Protocol: Software Licensing

top of page