Requesting New Computers

New computers are supplied by the Computer Group, but are charged against various WBSs. This document is to give you an idea of the categories of new computer deployments, any additional overhead in setup, and a rough idea of the time to deploy once your computer request reaches the top of the queue. Remember that the computer group often receives several new computer requests per week. For supportability reasons, the Computer Group would like to identify the lowest rated category your need requires. This will save you, the lab and the computer group time and effort.

Category 1

This is a standard stock Desktop deployment. It uses computers in stock in standard hardware configurations. The Windows base image or standard Linux install is used. For Windows, no more than two extra packages are added, and they are part of our standard supported software.

These setups usually require a weeks notice to prepare. A WBS is necessary to charge the hardware and labor against.

Category 2

These are a stock deployment that:

• Requires non-standard software
• Requires a license for an extra package to be purchased
• Requires 3 or more extra packages
• Requires extra standard hardware, like large amounts of RAM, or an extra Hard Drive, or a second video card for QUAD display.
• Is a standard stock Laptop deployment

These setups may require additional software overhead and additional labor to setup and maintain. A WBS is necessary to charge the hardware and labor against.

The setup time is usually an additional 2 weeks over Category 1. Laptops will require ongoing checkups every 6 months and will require scheduling some down time to do so.

Category 3

These are:

• Multiple Category 2s
• Special order computers, such as dual CPU or higher RAM requirements than Stock computers can support.
• Special software that is complex, unusually expensive, duplicates existing supported software functionality etc.
• Configurations that are against Cornell Policy 5.10.

These setups may require additional software overhead and additional labor to setup and maintain. A WBS is necessary to charge the hardware and labor against.

These usually take 4-6 additional weeks over Category 2 setups due to vendor lag in building PCs, scheduling lag for meetings, extra time for complex or unusual setups.

Category 4

This is a special category. It is mostly here for multiple Category 3s, or for systems that may fall into it due to other layered documents that add categories on to the normal categories above. These systems are usually going to be rather special case, and labor intensive all around.

The time does not necessarily increase however to put together one of these systems over Category 3, but it might. As these will be very special case, plan ahead, and ask for information in the service ticket.

-- JamesPulver - 2010-01-15