Computing Accounts Get Leaner and Simpler
by Autumn Bouck
 
EZ accounts. FZ accounts. SZ accounts. Old Style LoginIDs. New style LoginIDs. UCD LoginIDs. If all of this sounds like alphabet soup, read on. Information and Educational Technology has initiated a project to clean up these acronyms, convert old accounts, and streamline access to campus online services. When this project is completed on April 23, you'll need to remember only three terms: computing account, UCD LoginID, and Kerberos password.

Although everyone who's opened a computing account since September 1996 has been assigned the same type of LoginID, there are still some people who, for a number of reasons, have the older style. The IET project team is working with these people to convert their accounts to the newer style. Those who need to convert their accounts are being notified by email about the change. Approximately 400 people campuswide will be affected.

Background
Prior to 1996, UC Davis computing account holders were assigned computing accounts that began with "ez," "fz," or "sz." These accounts cannot access secure (i.e., Kerberos-protected) services, such as MyUCDavis , Banner Student Information System, and AFS. Anyone who signed up for an account after September 1996 received the new style ID which, unlike its predecessor, can be any two- to eight-character combination of letters or numbers. You can choose something like "jdoe" for your LoginID.

After the new style IDs were introduced, anyone with an Old Style account who wanted access to Kerberos-protected services was given the option to "reserve" a UCD LoginID. This enabled those people to continue accessing services such as email with the old ID and to use the new UCD LoginID for Banner, modem pools, MyUCDavis, and other Kerberos-protected services.

Benefits of Making the Switch
There are several benefits of converting older accounts.

  • One Username and password access. The UCD LoginID and Kerberos password are all you need to gain access to most UC Davis computing services. (Exceptions: those who have departmental computing accounts and those who access DaFIS will continue to use more than one LoginID.)

  • You can add more services to your UCD LoginID. A ServiceID gives your computing account access to different computing services, such as the modem pool, email and computer rooms. To add a ServiceID, go to http://mothra.ucdavis.edu/services/ and select "Grant New Services to Your LoginID". Then enter your identification information and your UCD LoginID. Follow the prompts to choose the service you would like to grant to your UCD LoginID. This will not only show you what ServiceIDs you already have, but what ServiceIDs you can add. For more information on ServiceIDs, see http://mothra.ucdavis.edu/ServiceID/. (Note: you will need to wait 24 hours after you convert to the new ID to add services.)

  • You can add more disk space for your email. The UCD LoginID will also allow you to add up to 20 MB more disk space for your email. For information on how to obtain this extra email space, see the QuickTip on Updating Your Account.

  • Change your UCD LoginID to something else, after you have made the conversion. If you don't like your reserved UCD LoginID, you have a one-time opportunity to change your UCD LoginID by emailing accounts@ucdavis.edu and requesting a new name. Your LoginID must be 2-8 characters and can include both letters and numbers. (Note: please wait 24 hours after completing the conversion process to make this request.)


What You Can Do
  • If you have an Old Style LoginID and a reserved UCD LoginID, you will receive an email from the account conversion project team explaining how you can convert. If you have an Old Style LoginID and never reserved a UCD LoginID or used Kerberos services, your account was automatically converted. Now, you're ready to add ServiceIDs to access Kerberos services such as MyUCDavis and the modem pools with your original LoginID. See above for information on how to add ServiceIDs.


 
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Previous Issues
New Accounts Could Be Affected by ISUN ServiceID Change (Sep/Oct 2000)

What is a ServiceID? (Sep/Oct 2000)

 
Other Resources

Mothra Services Menu

ServiceID Information

QuickTip on Updating Your Account

 

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