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Technology Requirements and Specifications
The following listing of requirements and recommendations are intended specifically for telecommuting arrangements. They may or may not be appropriate to consider for other situations or work arrangements.
Desktop Configurations
Configurations are divided into "standard" and "graphics/resource intensive."
Recommendations between these two categories are determined by the type of work the staff member expects to do. For example, use of Adobe Photoshop would require the graphics/resource intensive configuration. Also, within these two general categories, a minimum and optimum configuration is listed.
Please consult with LITS before purchasing any equipment for use with telecommuting.
STANDARD DESKTOP CONFIGURATION
Minimal Hardware Requirement--NOTE: see above, this is a minimum requirement—specific tasks may have higher requirements (e.g., work that requires Adobe Photoshop, other memory intensive operations would require more RAM and faster processor). Also, note that this is the minimum requirement as of November 2001, the minimum requirements will change with the regular workstation replacement schedule used by the Library.
Optimal hardware recommendation:
Operating System:
Application Software
Security Software
Internet connectivity:
Other:
GRAPHICS/RESOURCE INTENSIVE CONFIGURATION
Minimum Hardware Requirement:
Operating System:
Application Software (NOTE: Specialized software required depending on the duties performed, e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, etc.)
Security Software
Internet connectivity:
Other:
OPTIMUM CONFIGURATION RECOMMENDATIONS: (dependent on work to be performed) Same as Standard plus:
NOTES:
Problems with internet connectivity (ISP) are the responsibility of the telecommuter NOT LITS. Persistent connectivity problems may be a reason to discontinue telecommuting arrangement until corrected.
Hardware compatibility for OS selected is responsibility of telecommuter (advice by LITS available).
Wireless configurations not supported at this time.
Security and disaster recovery planning procedures are the responsibility of the telecommuter and need to be followed very carefully and consistently (should be verifiable by LITS staff).
It is unclear if and how Library/University "appropriate use" policies would apply to this hardware.
Connection to OCLC through the dedicated tcp/ip network available on campus may not be guaranteed to off-campus locations. There may be budgetary implications for using the standard internet connection to OCLC which would need to be considered by RS.
A laptop configuration MAY be considered, with additional security requirements. The following represents some of the issues related to use of a laptop for telecommuting purposes:
LAPTOP CONFIGURATION
Laptop configurations, which are intended to be used both at the workplace and at the telecommuting site, impose extra requirements on both the staff member and LITS staff.
First, the staff member must be competent and comfortable with changing networking configurations from one site to the other. Training in the procedures involved will be provided by LITS, but the staff member must take responsibility for learning these processes along with learning basic trouble-shooting techniques. Wireless configurations are not recommended or supported at this time.
Second, the laptop represents a unique security problem for an enterprise network. It provides a physical vector of malware (viruses, trojans, and worms) transmission into the on-site network. All precautions taken at the network level can be defeated by the physical introduction of a improperly secured laptop into the network environment. For this reason, staff who wish to use a laptop both at home and at work must take the responsibility of ensuring that it meets the same security standards met by workstations in the on-site environment and will be required to verify/demonstrate that these precautions are being followed to LITS staff.
Third, by virtue of their portability, laptops can be stolen or misplaced. Aside from the financial costs suffered by the owner of the laptop, this can present a loss of work-product to the organization. Data-security procedures (regular backup procedures as well as anti-virus procedures) must be carefully followed to protect against this vulnerability.
Laptop hardware requirements:
SAME AS MINIMUM AND OPTIMUM REQUIREMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DESKTOP CONFIGURATION. CONSULT WITH LITS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/RECOMMENDATIONS.
The employee and supervisor must verify that a network port is available at the work site which can be used by the employee’s laptop. If one is not already available this may involve additional costs for installation.
We do not recommend purchasing a laptop for graphics/resource intensive operations at this time.