Christopher Newport University's Computer Setup

Some major changes have occurred with upgrading at CNU lately. The math lab has received 20 new IMacs, each with a 333MHz G3 processor, 96MB RAM, and a 6GB HDD. Also new are 20 tower IMacs with 350MHz G3 processors, 128MB RAM, 6GB HDDs, and 17" monitors. The Hunter Creech Lab (for physics and computer science) has also had a few machines changed out for Ultra 5s.


The Hunter Creech Lab

Updated 6-27-99

Machine Name Machine Type Processor HDD Space RAM
america3 Ultra 2 Dual UltraSPARC 200MHz 39.8GB 1GB
atalanta Ultra 1 UltraSPARC 143MHz 1GB 64MB
aurora SPARCStation 5 SPARC 110MHz 1GB 64MB
bow Ultra 5 UltraSPARC-IIi 333MHz 9GB 128MB
cambria Ultra 5 UltraSPARC-IIi 270MHz 4GB 128MB
courageous SPARCstation 5 SPARC 85MHz 400MB 32MB
defender Ultra 5 UltraSPARC-IIi 270MHz 4GB 128MB
intrepid Ultra 5 UltraSPARC-IIi 270MHz 4GB 128MB
madeleine Ultra 5 UltraSPARC-IIi 270MHz 4GB 128MB
mayflower Ultra 5 UltraSPARC-IIi 333MHz 9GB 128MB
mischief Ultra 1 UltraSPARC 143MHz 1GB 64MB
puritan Ultra 5 UltraSPARC-IIi 270MHz 4GB 128MB
reliance SPARCStation 20 SPARC 100MHz 1GB 64MB
resolute Ultra 1 UltraSPARC 143MHz 1GB 96MB
shamrock Ultra 5 UltraSPARC-IIi 333MHz 9GB 128MB
sovereign SPARC Station LX SPARC 50MHz 1GB 24MB
valkyrie SPARC Station LX SPARC 50MHz 400MB 24MB
vigilant SPARCStation 5 SPARC 85MHz 400MB 64MB
volunteer Ultra 5 UltraSPARC-IIi 270MHz 4GB 128MB

There are roughly nine computer labs, with several serving multiple purposes. The main labs are located in McMurran Hall. One is a UNIX lab, and the other is a PC lab. Both the main PC and UNIX labs have undergone major upgrades within the last year. The PC lab contains about 30 P133 machines with 64MB RAM, 2GB hard drives, and 17" monitors. They are currently running Windows 98. These provide general service for students to complete homework assignments. Another Windows 98 lab is in Gosnold hall, with about 30 machines there as well. Each machine is a P75 with 32MB RAM, 1.3GB HDD space, and 15" monitors. It servers as the Office 97 lab.

The UNIX lab has 15 Sun Ultra 1 machines, each with 167MHz UltraSPARC processors, 128MB RAM, 2GB ultra-wide SCSI hard drives, and 19" Monitors. They are currently running Solaris 2.5. Each UltraSPARC has a terminal connected to it, and these terminals have 21" monitors on them. The main server for this setup (and really the entire university) is a SUN Enterprise 5000 backplane server, with 7 168MHz UltraSPARC processors, 1.7GB RAM, and over 100GB of hard drive space. It provides for all student accounts.

The backbone for CNU is now a Gigabit ethernet, which transfers information at 1,000 MBits per second (125MB/second). The Hunter Creech Lab operates somewhat independently of the rest of the university. They plan on acquiring their own Gigabit ethernet switch in the near future. The majority of hubs and switches are utilizing 100-Base TX, which transfers information at 100 MBits per second. Most 10 Base-2 cabling has been converted, which only runs at 10 MBits per second. For individual machines, network connections vary all around, from 10-Base 2 to 10-Base T to 100-Base TX.

There is one last mention of computer equipment. The student and faculty's main account information (i.e. academic progress) is stored on an older HP mainframe. It will eventually be replaced, probably with another Enterprise 5000 server like the one that serves the students' and facultys' work accounts.

Also a point to note: CNU is now connected to the internet via ATM ethernet. It acts the same as a 10-Base T connection in a network. This allows for a data rate of 10 MBits per second, or 1.25MB/second, and it is 6.48 times faster than a T-1. This connection is also scalable up to the bandwidth of a full OC3 line.



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