Volume 3. No 3 Information Technology News of the University of California, Davis Spring 1995

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Changes Implemented to Keep Pace with Computing Needs

by Dana Drennan, Information Resources

To keep pace with the growing demand for both local and global information resources, Information Technology is constantly looking at ways to better manage central computing systems, while maintaining system security and accessibility.

To achieve these goals and satisfy the diverse needs of the campus community, Information Technology will be implementing several changes in computing services over the next few months. Changes include the following:

• E-mail Storage: Information Technology is now enforcing quotas on the amount of e-mail you can store on central computing systems. If your electronic mail file on the central campus computer system (e.g., Rocky, Bullwinkle) reaches 2 MB, you will be able to compose mail, but messages sent to you will be returned to the sender with a note explaining that the recipient's mail file has exceeded its quota.

  The quotas will be enforced automatically by the operating system. The policy directly affects those who use Pine and other e-mail programs that run on central computing systems. It also will affect Eudora users who have the program configured to store messages on a central campus server. Information Technology encourages those interested in archiving large volumes of electronic mail to use Eudora or another e-mail program that allows you to store electronic mail on your personal computer. Programs like Eudora (available free of charge to campus users) allow you to store electronic mail on your hard disk.

  Information Technology recognizes that there are special circumstances that would require you to use additional diskspace on the central system. To apply for an additional allocation of diskspace, you can retrieve the "Application for Additional Diskspace " from the Campuswide Information System. Using gopher, follow these paths: The Campus /Using Computers.../Computing Policies. Send the completed application to sysadmin@ucdavis.edu.

• VMS System Upgrade: To accommodate the need to run new software used for scientific and statistical analysis, the Open VMS operating system will be upgraded to 6.1 this summer. There will be minor changes in some DCL commands (e.g. the /PAGE qualifier), but don't expect to see a lot of obvious changes. Any modifications made as a result of the upgrade will be posted to the online help and to the CWIS.

• Restriction of .rhost Files: To protect the security of campus computing systems, Information Technology will enforce its policy restricting the use of .rhost files. Because they allow users to connect to certain hosts without a password, .rhost files can pose a threat to system security. Currently, the only allowed .rhost files are those needed for specific applications to run, in which case they are allowed to remain on the system only while the application is running.

  Beginning June 19, 1995, all .rhost files will be automatically removed from central campus computing servers. In Fall 1995, Information Technology will implement a .rhost-registration program for those users with a demonstrated need to use .rhost files. We will not allow .rhost files solely for the convenience of logging onto the Information Technology servers without having to provide a login-ID and password.

  Beginning Fall Quarter 1995 users caught violating the .rhost policy will have their accounts suspended without warning.

• Password Improvements: The use of the proactive password checker, passwd+ , written by Computing Sciences Professor Matt Bishop has enabled Information Technology to extend password lifetime to one year. The system will inform you when your password needs to be changed.

• New Login Name for Accessing Central Servers: You no longer have to pick a server (e.g. Chip, Dale, Rocky & Bullwinkle) when logging into the campus computing system. You can now login by typing the node name ISUN at the Request prompt. ISUN will connect you to the server with the least amount of traffic at the time. For more efficient access and better performance, we urge you to login with the ISUN name.

For further information contact Dana Drennan at 752-0235 or dldrennan@ucdavis.edu.