1. Summary
The standards and support levels in this document are developed and maintained by
the Technology Support Committee (TSC) and ratified by the IT Oversight Committee.
The TSC will regularly review and revise these standards based on emerging hardware
technologies, software development, and the needs of the University.
2. Rationale
Hardware and software standards have been established to benefit the University as
a whole and are based on the current technology available combined with the current
needs of the students, faculty, and staff of UVU. The primary considerations for hardware
& software standards are:
- Improved levels of support
- Reduced cost of support and service
- Improved reliability and stability
- Economies-of-scale relevant to hardware and software procurement
- Security
3. Standards
3.1 Desktops, Laptops and Convertibles
- All computers should be purchased through the Computer Shop. This site also lists standard configurations for Windows based and Apple computers.
- TSC determines standard configurations and updates these configurations as needed.
- The use of procurement cards or limited purchase checks for the purchase of computers
or parts for the purpose of assembling computers is prohibited.
- Laptops are defined as portable devices with at least:
- Intel i3 / i5 / i7
- 4GB RAM
- 128GB HDD/SSD
- Windows 7 Pro / 8 Pro / 8.1 Pro or OS X
- Eligible for 3 year warranty
- Devises that meet this criteria will be fully supported. They are also subject to
hardware standards and to the campus infrastructure fee.
3.2 Tablets & Sub-laptops
This class of computers includes devices such as, but not limited to iPads, Galaxy
Tabs, Surface, Netbooks, Chromebooks, etc There is no hardware standard for this class
of computer other than the following:
- Tablets are defined as mobile or portable devices with a screen size of between 7"
and 12" and are below the following hardware configuration:
- Intel i3 / i5 / i7
- 4GB Ram
- 128GB HDD/SSD
- All tablets should be purchased through the Computer Shop. There is no hardware standard
for this class of devise. These devices are partially supported and have a limited
ability to run campus supported software. Tablets are exempt for the campus infrastructure
fee.
- MS Surface RT are not recommended for campus use.
3.3 Cell Phones & Cellular Devices
There is no standard for PDAs, or smart phones. Refer to the support section of this
document for more details regarding these devices.
3.4 Printers & Peripherals
- HP is the standard for all printers including Inkjet, Laser b/w & color and multi-function
printer/copiers. Workgroup printers must have a built in Ethernet card and be compatible
with HP Web Jet Admin (version 10.1)
- Admin Password for all printers should be the same. Consult knowledge base for more
information.
- A recommended list of the latest printers can be found here: https://www.uvu.edu/computershop
- Area Techs should be consulted before any technology purchase in their area.
- Wireless printing capability of all printers needs to be disabled in order to prevent
conflicts with the campus wireless network.
- Wireless only printers, are not supported.
- There are no standards established for monitors, keyboards, mice, imaging equipment,
digital & web cams, USB hard drives, USB flash drives, memory cards, etc other than
these items must be compatible with existing standard computers.
3.5 Software & Operating Systems
3.5.1 Software General
3.5.2 Windows
3.5.2.1 Operating Systems
Windows 7 Enterprise 64 bit is the current campus standard. See the Support section
for information on other versions of Windows
3.5.2.2 Standard computer load:
- 7 Zip
- Adobe Flash
- Adobe Reader
- Chrome
- Cute PDF
- Firefox
- HD Folder created on Hard drive
- Java
- K-Lite (or other Codec package)
- McAfee Agent all parts
- MS Office 2013 Professional Plus Suite & Outlook
- Quicktime Player
- Silverlight
- VLC Player
- Relevant software and operating system updates and patches Operating Systems
3.5.2.3 Configuration
Windows Computer Name
The campus standard for the Windows “Computer Name” has 2 formats.
- The computer inventory number only or
- Computer inventory number plus the room number. This will be at the Area Technician's
discretion.
- Windows Update Procedures
- Automatic updates are being done through SCCM. These updates are for security vulnerabilities
and often require a re-boot of the computers. Computers will require mandatory re-booting
within the week after the update is available and downloaded to the computers. There
will be a warning and an ability to delay it during the first week but not afterwards.
Many people are never re-booting their computers during a week. [2]
3.5.3 Mac
3.5.3.1. Operating System
OS X 10.7 and above is the current campus standard. See the Support section for information
on other versions of the Mac OS.
3.5.3.2. Standard computer load
MS Office 2011
3.5.3.3. Configuration
None specified
3.6 Networking & Wireless
Definition: Networking devices - any hub, switch, router, etc., that routes or gives
access to a network for other computing devices.
3.6.1 No hardwired or wireless networking devices may be plugged into the UVU network
unless it is done by UVU IT Network personnel and follows UVU networking standard
or is an approved exception.
3.6.2 Any necessary networking device outside of the standards will be approved and
installed by UVU IT Network personnel and marked with a sticker to identify it as
an authorized device.
3.6.3 Any networking device found that is not identified as an authorized device will
be immediately confiscated by IT personnel. Personally owned devices will be returned
to the owner and UVU purchased devices will be either retained by the IT Network group
or installed as per 1 and 2 above if deemed appropriate.
3.6.4 Wireless printers must have their wireless WiFi turned off and installed by
a qualified technician. If wireless is found turned on, it will immediately turned
off and a note left.
3.6.5 Repeat Offenders will lose network privileges that will not be restored until
there is a conversation with the employee, the appropriate UVU executive, and the
CIO. [3]
3.6.6 Network Infrastructure Fee (This is an IPC standard) [4]
Desktop, laptop and ultrabook computers purchased by UVU shall be charged a one time
network connectivity fee of $65 per device at the time of purchase.
This fee does not apply to tablets, servers, printers or other devices (as defined by the Computer Shop).
3.7 Servers
Dell only - with a 5 year manufacturer warranty. HP for parts/repairs only. [2]
The Infrastructure Planning Committee maintains this standard
3.8 Active Directory
Refer to the Active Directory Standards document
3.9 Media Equipment
3.10 Computer Labs
- All computer labs or high density computer areas need to be approved by the IT Oversight Committee.
- Printers used in computer labs must be compatible with the print system.
4. Support
4.1. Fully Supported
Fully supported defines the highest level of assistance that can be provided by UVU
Area Technicians. The level of support for UVU owned hardware and software that meets
the technology standards and is less than 4 years old will be supported by the technical
support staff.
4.2. Partially Supported
Partially Supported defines a level of assistance that varies based the Area Technicians
skill set, work load and the depths or breadths of responsibilities. Technical staff
may offer limited support in an advisory capacity, but are under no obligation to
support the following:
- Hardware and software that formerly met the technology standards but is now more than
4 years old.
- Operating systems other than the standard Windows 7 and Mac OS, these may include:
- iOS, Android, Linux, Windows 8, Windows RT, Vista, XP & Server
- Non-standard and enterprise copier/printers
- Wireless connectivity support on personally owned computing devices
- UVU owned software and systems support on personally owned computing devices
- Personal accounts on cloud based services that provide: file storage and sharing,
collaboration tools, social media, etc. These include sites such as: icloud, dropbox,
google apps, MS 365, facebook, Skydrive.
- Software that is free/shareware, personally owned or not previously approved as supportable
by the area technician.
- Non-native operating systems hosted on supported or unsupported hardware, utilizing
software conversion, abstraction, or hypervisor utilities (Apple BootCamp, Parallels,
VMWare, etc);
- Equipment used for research purposes.
- Department level systems software and servers.
4.3. Unsupported
Unsupported is defining a level of assistance should not be given by UVU Area Technicians.
These include:
- Personal owned computing devices and computing devices without a UVU inventory tag.
- Equipment used at personal residences for official or unofficial business (due to
legal, liability, connectivity, and other issues).
- Equipment owned, operated, or maintained by departments outside the UVU with the exception
of those entities that have contractual agreements with UVU.
- Equipment or technologies not owned by UVU with the expectation of limited support
for wireless connectivity.
- Equipment prohibited for use in UVU facilities.
- Software applications in violation of legal, licensing, or copyright agreements.
- Use of hardware, software, or any other technology in violation of UVU Appropriate
Use, Information Security, or other policies.
- Printer hardware service and repair. We recommend HP Managed Print Services for printer service and repair.
5. Asset Control and Inventory Procedures
5.1. Useful life of equipment
Computers, printers and related devices typically have a useful life of approximately
4 years. After this time the cost in time to area technicians of supporting and maintaining
this equipment increases beyond what is reasonable. Therefore every effort should
be made to replace computers that are over 4 years old.
5.2. Surplusing and Transfer of computer equipment
5.2.1. Hardware available to be reused on campus after being surplused:
- Computers: Anything newer than 4 years old
- Monitors: LCD
- Hard drive: SATA
- Memory: DDR333 and newer
5.2.2. Hardware NOT available to be reused on campus after being surplused:
- Computers, monitors or printers that are more than 4 years old
- Support for computers that do not meet this minimum standard will require a standards
expectations.
5.2.3. Exceptions
It is understood that occasionally there needs to be exceptions to established standards.
Standards exceptions and changes can be granted by completing the Technology Standards Exceptions/Change Form, obtaining the required signatures, and submitting it to the Office of Information
Technology.
6. Relevant Technology Policies
