Computers

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The Office of Information Technology welcomes you to STRI.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) provides a suite of IT services and productivity tools to the STRI’s community in support to its research mission.

The current suite of IT common services includes: a robust wired network (including access to Internet and Internet2), wireless network in must buildings and strategic open common spaces, accessible and dedicated desktop support personnel (help desk), applications development and web services, voice network and other IT consulting services.

How to contact OIT Customer Services

There are a number of methods available for contacting the OIT Primary Care Customer Service team.

  • Call our Service Desk: +507 212-8000 – Ext. 24357 | Internal: 24357
  • Fax: +507 212-8118
  • E-mail to report an incident: strihelp@si.edu

The OIT Help Desk staff serves as your single point of contact for OIT. If you have any problems, requests, or questions regarding OIT services, please contact the OIT Help Desk.

E-mail and Network accounts

A Smithsonian network account (SInet) provides access to the network, email, and a variety of optional services that may require additional authorization.

What is it?

Smithsonian network accounts grant access to the network, email, shared drives, and the si-staff wireless network. Microsoft Exchange is the email system used by Smithsonian.

Who can have an account?

Any staff, fellows, visiting scientist or volunteer with an approved visit.

How to register for an account

  1. Log in to the STRI Visitor’s Registration System portal: https://visitors.stri.si.edu
  2. If you have an active visit you will see the “Request a STRI/SI network account”. Click on the green button at the right-hand panel.

    Note: The option “Request a STRI/SI network account” will only be available to you one week before your approved arrival date and during your entire visit.

  3. Please review your visit information and click continue.
  4. Read the Smithsonian Directive 931 and click continue.
  5. Read and digitally sign the accompanying User Agreement, click on continue.

Your request will be submitted to the Help Desk for processing. You will receive a confirmation e-mail and instructions on how to access your account in the e-mail address you indicated in your visit profile. Please make sure you have access to this e-mail account and check it often.

You must complete the online Computer Security Awareness Training (CSAT) within 30 days or your accounts will be deleted.

Your STRI’s Sponsor (if you have any) will receive a notification e-mail too.

Smithsonian’s staff follows a different process to request e-mail and network accounts. Please contact your supervisor and/or Human Resources Office for more information.

Connecting your personal PC to the network

If you plan to connect your personal computer to the SI/STRI production networks, please bring your equipment to the Help Desk office for a physical inspection. The STRI network is a U.S. government network and it is highly regulated.

The Help Desk will check to ensure that:

  1. You have an updated antivirus application on your computer
  2. You have the latest OS patches installed and
  3. No Peer-to-Peer (P2P) software is running on your computer.

As a security policy, you cannot use any P2P software on the Smithsonian network. OIT Help Desk personnel will remove or disable any P2P software on your computer. Please remember that users are not allowed to break any copyright laws while connected to the SI/STRI network. Any software without a license must be removed from the computer by the user before the computer can be allowed on the SI/STRI network.

OIT personnel have the authority to audit, without warning, all computers connected to the STRI network. If your visit at STRI ends and you end up returning in the future, the Help Desk will need to inspect your laptop again. Otherwise you won't be able to access the STRI network.

All non-Smithsonian employees who request access to computers and network resources must be sponsored by a Smithsonian employee.

The Smithsonian has a comprehensive portfolio of enterprise applications that support the efficient operations of the Institution, which reside in the SI/STRI production network. These systems support management of human resources, financials, procurement, grants, facilities, travel, and safety.

Some interns, volunteers, visiting scientists and contractors may not require access to the production network. If you only require Internet access, you may choose from one of the open wireless networks available on selected locations (see: “Public Wireless Internet Access” information below).

Schedule to check laptops

We are available to receive your laptop or PC from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and we will return it to you by 3:00 p.m. the same day. If you bring your equipment after 11:00 a.m., it will be ready the following day at 3:00 p.m.

The Help Desk will accept your laptop for inspection only if the equipment is under factory warranty.

OIT support staff will not attempt to troubleshoot problems with computers that are using unsupported operating systems, such as Windows XP or MacOS 10.5.

OIT support staff will provide "best effort" assistance with computers that are using new operating systems not yet approved for production use at the Smithsonian.

Secure wireless Access Points in STRI

STRI provides secure wireless network access points in most of its facilities. If you have a wireless-enabled laptop you may observe several wireless networks options SSID (Service Set Identifier) when you are close to one of the Access Points (APs).

  1. “SI-STAFF”: Which connects you directly to the SI/STRI production network, including network drives, Prism, Internet access and other enterprise applications. Anyone with a Smithsonian network user ID and password can log onto this wireless network. The computer must be checked by the Help Desk to configure the connection. See “Connecting your personal PC to the network” for more information.
  2. “SI-INTERNAL”: This network (formerly called si-guest) is intended for use by temporary visitors/invited guests, who require Internet access but do not have Smithsonian network accounts. Also used by staff for applications, such as Skype, which for security reasons are blocked on SInet. It requires a shared password that is periodically changed.

Public Wireless Internet Access

Public wireless internet access SI-VISITOR is available in the public areas of Corotú Plaza, cafeteria, library, conference center (auditorium and exhibitions room), Tupper meeting rooms (Small Meeting Room and Large Meeting Room), upper level of the Gamboa School, Bocas del Toro dorms, Bocas laboratory and dining facility. This wireless Internet connection is free and no registration is required. This connection will not provide access to our production network. Note: Computers connected to the STRI network will not be able to use this service.

Eduroam

Eduroam is a roaming Internet access service developed for the international research and education community. Created initially in Europe, it is now present in the United States and across the globe, providing wireless (WiFi) Internet access to users of participating institutions, including Smithsonian.

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