BioMicroCenter:NetworkInformation

The BioMicro Center’s computing mission is to support a core set of bioinformatics applications and also to provide advanced computational, data storage, data security and data backup services.

From BioMicro Center home page.

Biomicro Center Public Storage Server
This new pilot project will offer inexpensive server based storage in one terabyte increments and above to labs and centers. Terabytes are available at $500 per year. This service included MIT's TSM backup as well as network administration services. Detailed information about this service can be found HERE. Contact Stuart Levine or Stephen Goldman for more details.

Departmental Computing Services
Biology and BE have been offering lab and centers on a NETAPP system known as Bionet. Labs were offered file sharing space up to 100G on a multi protocol NetApp filer known as Bionet. This device supports SMB, CIFS and NFS connectivity to facilitate lab data management. This device is snap mirrored to another device on campus. See below to apply for these accounts. This system is currently off maintenance contracts due to cost. Labs and Centers are encouraged to review PUBLIC SERVER offering above.

Win Athena
Many labs in the Biology and BE have "organizational units" on MIT's WIN ATHENA environment. These "OU's " are a logical collection of multi user Windows machines that utilize MIT Kerberos username and passwords for sign on. Additional benifits include:
 * Centralize monitored security updates
 * Two Gigs of private free data storage
 * Centrality deployed applications
 * Roaming Desktop environment on other Win Athena machines on campus
 * Security hardened operating system

Use of this system is supported and highly encouraged.

Accounts in "DNA-NET"
To request a DNA-NET account, please to sgoldman 'at' mit.edu with subject "new user" and the following information:


 * First/Last Name:
 * Athena Username:
 * Lab PI:
 * Department:
 * Room Number/Address:
 * Phone Number:

A lab presentation can be made of the environment.

You will receive a confirmation email when your account is created.

New users and labs are highly recommended to contact Stephen Goldman directly to discuss there data storage and networking needs. Stephen is located at: We will need to meet briefly so you may take control of your storage account.


 * Stephen is the system administrator for the Department of Biology supports BE labs as well in conjuction with Aran Parillo, BE System Administrator.

Gateway to MIT Specific Resources - Certificates
Windows Installing certificates is a must at MIT.

Start with Internet Explorer- required for Outlook Express


 * Go to http://web.mit.edu/ist/topics/certificates

The Site Certificate


 * Select  Install :


 * For Internet Explorer – a dialog box will pop up – Install Site certificate – take defaults
 * For Firefox – Check all three check boxes – take defaults-
 * 

Personal Certificates-


 * Enter your Kerberos name, Password and MIT Number-
 * 

Macintosh
 * 
 * Go to http://web.mit.edu/ist/topics/certificates
 * http://itinfo.mit.edu/article.php?id=8628 for Safari

TESTING

Go to the MIT Software page:

http://web.mit.edu/software/   select your operating system

After installing it - restart your machine-
 * Download and install VPN CLIENT - Virtual Private Network Client- ( This is the test)- Highly recommend this program

This program is to be used off Network 18- MITNET to create a virtual circuit to MIT's Network)

This would allow access to the server off MITNET (sign on with email name and password) You want this functionality later.

Connecting to Network Resources
Windows Platform There are different ways to connect to network resources. Network resources for this conversation is Bionet inside "DNA-NET" or a Lab Server inside Win Athena. Both Macintosh and Windows machines can connect to either resources. The methods include from a :
 * standalone private laptop
 * standalone workstation
 * workstation inside WIN ATHENA

To connect to a file server inside the Win Athena environment from a private Windows or Macintosh laptop or workstation. Users are required to change their WIN ATHENA password at this certificate enabled site

https://wince.mit.edu/changepasswd/index.jsp -


 * When the page opens : in the middle of the page in BOLD TEXT: Confirm
 * that the message reads:
 * Change Password for User      yourname@MIT.EDU
 * Enter a password below the User Confirmation- twice- (recommend a good password it for this )
 * For the reason - select - other - and add remote access.
 * Select Submit-
 * exit the page

Connect to WIN-ATHENA
USER will need to know:
 * Name of your lab server
 * Default directory lab members attach to.


 * Right click My Computer
 * Map network drive:
 * Pick a drive letter: example Z:
 * Folder: \\name of your host@mit.edu\default drive (or use IP address: )
 * "Connect using a different username"
 * You will be prompted for your username and password.
 * Note the syntax :
 * Username:  yourname@win.mit.edu
 * Password:  enter your password
 * Finish

Connect to WIN-ATHENA Server - from machine in Win-ATHENA
USER will need to know:
 * Name of your lab server
 * Default directory lab members attach to.


 * Right click My Computer
 * Map network drive:
 * Pick a drive letter: example Z:
 * Folder: \\name of your host@mit.edu\default drive (or use IP address: )
 * "Connect using a different username"
 * Finish
 * Look under "My Computer"

Macintosh DNA-NET
!!!Connect to DNA-NET with OSX !!!


 * Press Apple+K in Finder to connect to server.
 * Type in: cifs:\\bionet\qtreename
 * Hit the + to save it
 * select the path - depress - connect
 * Confirm : workgroup or domain = DNA-NET
 * NAME = your email name (important)
 * PASSWORD = email password
 * Select home directories and test access to the folder with you name on it.

Macintosh WIN-ATHENA
Connect to WIN-ATHENA with OSX


 * Press Apple+K</tt> in Finder to connect to server.
 * Type in: cifs:\\servername@mit.edu\datashare</tt>
 * Hit the + to save it
 * select the path - depress - connect
 * Confirm : workgroup or domain = WIN
 * NAME = your email name (important)
 * PASSWORD = email password
 * Select home directories and test access to the folder with you name on it.

OFF Campus with MIT VPN

 * Download and install VPN client for your operating system from MIT Software Distribution
 * Establish a VPN connection to MIT
 * MAP the drive either by way of Windows or Macintosh

Hosts and websites

 * Webhosting for static site and co-location services are available. Please contact Stephen Goldman.sgoldmanAT.mit.edu