Michael Hooker Microscopy Facility (MHMF.ORG)

Network Access to MHMF Server computers

Introduction

• On campus access to MHMF computer resources requires an MHMICROSCOPY domain account.  This is the same account name and password used to log onto MHMICROSCOPY image acquisition computers, image processing work stations, solid dye color printer and user directory shares on the network.  An account name and password is usually issued to users during training session.  (By the way, it is not the same as the 4 digit booking number).  The details of making connections depends on multiple factors (including operating system version, membership of a domain, correct specification of domain, correct user-name, password).  This can be an intricate process laced with computer jargon, concepts and idiosyncrasies.  Below is an attempt to describe, making network connections.

What Can Be Accessed

• Resources which can be accessed are:
  • Image acquisition work stations (e.g. confocal & wide field microscopes)
    • Network - shared directories  e.g. \\computer\users1  \\computer\users2
  • Image process work stations
    • Network - shared directories  \\computer\users  \\computer\users2
  • File server for MHMICROSCOPY called \\minsky
    • Network - shared directories 
      • \\minsky\users1  (Read only public space to all MHmicroscopy users)
      • \\minsky\users2  (Public space accessible to all MHmicroscopy users )
      • \\minsky\yourname  (Created by arrangement. Accessible to specific user only)
      • \\minsky\yourlab (Created by arrangement.  Common lab. access)
      • \\minsky\yourgroup (Created by arrangement.  Common group access)
      • \\minsky\yourdepartment (Created by arrangement.  Common department access)
    • Color printer  \\minsky\Phaser8550DP
    • B/W double sided printer \\minsky\HP1320-MHMF
  • File server for MHMICROSCOPY called \\marvin - mostly a backup of \\minsky shares (carried out daily at ~9 PM)
    • \\marvin\yourname  (Backup of \\minsky\yourname)
    • \\marvin\yourlab  (Backup of \\minsky\yourlab)
    • \\marvin\yourgroup  (Backup of \\minsky\yourgoup)
    • \\marvin\yourdepartment  (Backup of \\minsky\yourdepartment)
  • What can not be accessed
    • The Leica Laser Micro Dissection system
    • The Atomic Force Microscope
• Note access from off campus requires an internet connection (e.g. modem dialup, DSL, cable) and Virtual private Network (VPN) software.  VPN is only available to UNC student, staff & faculty.

Connecting

• The details of accessing these resources is dependent on the computer client you are using and whether it is a member of a domain or not.  Also multiple methods exist for connecting.  Please note that for security reasons some computers are protected by firewalls.  So if you are not successful connecting please contact Dr. Michael Chua.
  • Windows 2000 can access \\minsky easily.  The image acquisition & processing workstations can be connected to if MHMICROSCOPY\ is entered before your user name.
  • Windows XP can access \\minsky and the image acquisition & processing workstations (e.g. \\laplace) directly.  MHMICROSCOPY\  may need to be entered before your user name.
  • Windows Vista/7 - access is possible, but some details are different.  Please contact Dr. Michael Chua if you would like help.  Note that we are not very familiar with Vista, and Windows 7 is an unknown.
  • Windows 98 requires a domain enabled network setup.  At initial logon type in your MHMICROSCOPY user name, password and MHMICROSCOPY in the domain line.
  • Mac OS X can access MINSKY via Windows connections.  Apple Talk is no longer supported.
  • Limited FTP access is available (various operating systems).  Contact Dr. Michael Chua for more information.
  • VPN access is provided by UNC - VPN is only available to UNC student, staff & faculty.
  • Planned for the future SSH (secure socket shell) - all transferred information is encrypted.  Will replace ftp (restricted ftp exists, but is not officially supported.).

How to Establish a connection

• From Windows 2000  |  Windows XP  |  Windows 98/ME
  • Open a "My Computer" window
  • If the address bar does not exist, open one by pulling down "View" --> "Toolbars" --> "Address Bar" and clicking on it the make that box checked
  • type "\\computer name" and press enter  (e.g. \\fermat )
  • if current user name and password on the computer you are working on do not match the MHMICROSCOPY domain name you will either be 1. prompted for a user name and password to connect with, or 2. if your name matches but password does not, the account will be locked out.  If 2. happens either change your password on the local machine or log onto an MHMICROSCOPY machine and change your password so that the passwords are the same.  Log off and wait at least five minutes before trying to reconnect.
  • When you are prompted for a username and password  mhmicroscopy\  must be entered before your user account name, viz:
  • Note: if your password is older than 90 days you may be prompted to change it, or you may have to come to the facility and log onto an mhmicroscopy computer and then change your password. 
  • Note: off campus access through your internet service provider (isp - broad band cable modem, dsl or dial up) requires a VPN connection to UNC.  An information sheet are available on the door of 6007 Thurston Bowles.

   

• From MacOS 9 - Apple Talk is no longer support as of Aug 7, 2009

• From MacOS X
  • Please consult an OS/X expert.
  • Method 1, Connects to our AppleShare server (Users1 on Minsky):
    • Choose menu item Go
    • Connect to Server...
    • Type in the IP address (see Michael) and press Enter
    • At the password prompt, enter your MHMicroscopy username and MHmicroscopy password
    • Choose users1mac from the list of options

• Linux/Unix
  • Use Samba to connect to shared resources on the Microsoft network (Lan Manager)
  • Limited FTP access is available, but will be phased out.  Contact Dr. Michael Chua for more information.
  • NFS (network file system) is not currently available

What users can do

• To streamline the connection process users can make their usernames and passwords identical on the MHMICROSCOPY domain and their computer's local account, or, if applicable, desktop computer domain account.  User names can only be changed by facility directors, while passwords may be changed by users directly, once logged onto a facility computer by pressing control-alt-delete and choosing Change Password.

• Update Onyen

• Some Concepts:
  • Domain - a group of computers that are administered by a central computer
  • Universal Naming Convention (UNC) = e.g.  \\computer_name\share_name  or  \\computer_name\share_name\subdirectories   or  \\computer_name\printer_name
  • Share - directory/folder or printer available on a remote computer over the network.  Your computer will typically be running MS-Windows.  Shares are given a name (e.g. users2) and are on a specific computer (e.g.  Minsky).  A double backslash, \\, is added before the name, and denotes that the name refers to a unique computer name (e.g. \\Minsky).
  • Logon account = user_name  password  [domain]   note [domain] can be optional  This information can be requested at console logins (at the computer keyboard and screen) & access over the network.  In some situations this information is transferred automatically and silently.  No interaction is offered.  This can cause problems since the wrong domain name can be sent multiple times, causing the MHMICROSCOPY domain to lock your account out for a fixed period.  It is always better to explicitly provide a domain name to avoid being locked out.

		Copyright 2001-09  Dr. M. Chua, Office of Research, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
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