FAQs
ARCS can arrange for a database to be created and stored for you for teaching or research purposes.
Teaching
There is a MYSQL database hosting server called teachdb.newcastle.edu.au on which you can have a database created or have a number of database created for students for teaching purposes.
The lecturer can contact the 17triplezero IT Service Desk to request this service. Ensure you ask to 'log the job to ARCS'.
Research
IT Services can host MSSQL and Oracle databases on behalf of researchers. Please contact the 17triplezero IT Service Desk with the details of your request.
ARCS also has a MYSQL database server for research purposes on resdb.newcastle.edu.au. Please contact the17triplezero IT Service Desk to request this service. Ensure you ask to 'log the job to ARCS'.
Australian Research Collaboration Services
The national body called ARCS also provides database services. Please see for more information.
Last updated 10/08/10
How to get a research web page set up
To get a research web page set up:
1. Contact Web Services to discuss your web page needs. They can also talk to you about web site design and University web design policy. If the Web Services team cannot meet your requirements then they will direct you to ARCS.
2. Install your web pages into your U: drive if you are an inidividual researcher or your S: or R: drive. If you do not have either,contact 17triplezero IT Service Desk to organise one.
3. Log a job through 17triplezero IT Service Desk marked 'for ARCS team'. We will organise to host you web pages through the web server resweb.newcastle.edu.au
Last updated 10/08/10
How to get storage for research data
There are a number of ways you can obtain storage to hold data that you are generating through your research activities.
1. Apply for Research Storage by submitting an online request :
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/data-storage/research-data-storage-application.html
If your application is successful, you will be provide with a storage share similar to your U: drive but big enough hold your research data.
2. Contact the Australian Research Collaboration Services. This national body can provide a number of data services including storage on the data fabric, database services and data transfer services.
3. If you do not have access to an S: drive available through your school or discipline, access can be requested by completing a Request access to existing Shared/Network drive form. The Head of School will need to approve this.
4. You can purchase your own NAS device. This last choice is IT Services' least preferred option as your data may not be best protected on such a device. The first three options all provide the below capabilities.
Advantages to options 1,2 and 3
- RAID capability - A NAS device will need to provide RAID capability at least to mirror level to protect from a disk failing.
- Shadowcopy/Snapshot - The NAS device should provide shadowcopy and/or snapshot services so that changed files that are deleted can be restored by the user.
- Tape Backup - You will also need to provide backup to tape of your data. The tape has to then be stored offsite to minimise the risk of fire destroying your NAS and the data stored there.
- Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) - This stops your hardware from being damaged by power surges and outages.
Please refer to the Resposible Conduct of Research policy for more information.
Last updated 10/08/10
ARCS provides access to Red Hat Linux under an unlimited site licence to staff and students of the University of Newcastle.The University hosts a satellite server from which you can download your security updates.
If you want to install Linux onto your server or desktop computer then we can provide the latest version of Red Hat and we can install this for you or you can install if you prefer.
If you have a laptop computer we recommend you use the latest version of Ubuntu as it is handles laptop drivers better than Red Hat.
ARCS has most experience in supporting Red Hat and Ubuntu. You are welcome to install any flavour of Linux you prefer, but our ability to support you will be limited.
Last updated 11/08/10
What software can I access for free?
There are a number of software packages avaialble to all staff and students of the University.
- Windows Office Products
All MOE computers are supplied with the Microsoft Office package.
Microsoft Visio and Project can also be installed by contacting the 17triplezero IT Service Desk. - JMP
The University has a site licence for this statistical package. - Mathematica.
The University has a site licence for this scientific, engineering and mathematical computing environment. - Microsoft Visual Studio
The University has a site licence for this Integrated Devlopment Environment (IDE). - Matlab
The University has a site licence for this numerical computing environment. - Minitab
The University has a site licence for this statistical package. - Nvivo
The University has a site licence for this Qualitative Data Analysis system. - MSDNAA
Certain faculties of the University have free access to a limited number of MIcrosoft products through the Microsoft Development Network Academic Alliance license (MSDNAA). - SAS, SAS Mobile
The University has a site licence for this statistical package. - SPSS
The University has a site licence for this statistical package. - VMWare
Certain Faculties and Schools of the University have free access to a limited number of VMware products through the VMWare Academic Program (VMAP).
Operating Environments
- Red Hat
The latest version of Red Hat linux is available for free via the CAUDIT Red Hat License Agreement. - Windows Server
A site licence for Windows Server has been purchased by the University.
For the above systems, please contact the 17triplezero IT Service Desk to check availability.
Other software products with limited licences
Last updated 11/08/10
A virtual server is like any other server except that it runs in a virtual environment rather than directly on a physical computer. There are two main virtual environment products used by IT Services - VMWare and MS Hyper V. These are installed onto a physcial server as the host and a portion of the CPU, RAM and HDD is made available to each guest OS installed into it. The virtual environment makes it much easier for IT Services to create, grow and decommission servers without having to manage a physical server for each guest.
Short term projects
In certain circumstances researchers may want a server to carry out a specific task for a specific amount of time, for example 6 months or a year. Instead of purchasing or leasing this hardware, the researcher can ask for a **free** virtual server for a specific, limited time on ARCS infrastructure.
ARCS has a physycal server called vbox.newcastle.edu.au that has 64GB RAM, 12 CPUs and a modest amount of HDD space. This sever can host a virtual server of whatever operating system you require, 32 or 64bit, as long as it runs in the x86 environment.
This services is a first come first serve basis so if VBOX is full, you'll need to wait until one of the existing virtual servers completes its run.
Long term teaching or research requirements
ARCS can negotiate for a Virtual Server to be created on a permanent basis in the IT Services VMware ESX or MS Hyper V environments on your behalf.
In both cases the application you require to run will need to be compatible with virtual environments.
Please contact the 17triplezero IT Service Desk to log you request.
Last updated 10/08/10
