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Computing Facilities For
Visiting Astronomers

The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes has an intricate network of computers and peripherals that are available for use by visiting astronomers.  Although we expect our visitors to have a basic understanding of the use of information systems we do realize that systems vary not only between sites but often within the same site.  Thus, the mechanism that one may use to print a document on one system, for example, may be very different for that used on another, albeit similar, system.  For this reason we have prepared the following documentation to aid you with the use of the ING computers and computer network.

These facilities are maintained by the Computer Facilities Group.  We provide a number of computers for general use.  In order to use these machines for purposes other then observing, you will need a valid account with a password.  The details of the account will be provided by your ING contact which will usually be your Support Astronomer.  Please complete this form for each account that you require.  Certain access restrictions are applicable when using these guest accounts.  When configuring your computer for network access you may select an IP address for the appropriate telescope from the list of Telescope Assigned IP Numbers or you may apply for IP addresses, both static and DHCP-assigned (see the section on DHCP Security), by completing this form.

There are a series of disks that may be used for the temporary storage of files.  The ING shares an Internet connection provided by the IAC and this is available for use by our visitors.  The computers are connected using a 100Mbs^-1 network over twisted pair cabling or via a wireless connection.  Both of these infrastructures can be used by our guests although the former will require DHCP to be enabled.  We also have a network connection (hub1res) in the Computer Room of the Residencia. If a network connection is required for this service then this form needs to be completed in order to obtain an IP number.  We also provide printing facilities at both telescopes and at our Sea Level Office.  Tape drives and DVD writers are also available.  The ING will provide the visiting astronomers with one new DAT tape per night, free of charge, whilst they are observing with the ING's facilities.  This can be exchanged for DVD.  There are Sun workstations in the Residencia which are provided by the IAC.

To recover observational data please read this.  

It is an ING policy that all astronomical images be archived and eventually sent to the image archive in Cambridge.  Information regarding the ING Image Archiving System is available here.  To ensure that all images are archived, please do not delete images, move images nor copy images to different directories on the observing disks.  If you find yourself in the situation where you really do need to delete images to continue observing, please read this before doing so.

For additional information, individuals are encouraged to seek advice from the appropriate CFG representative.

Mac Books

Due to limited resources and a lack of experience with the administration of Mac Books, the support that we can offer for these devices is very limited.  Therefore users of Mac Books are requested to contact the CG, well in advance of their visit, if they suspect that they will require any support for their computer.  We encourage users of these devices, where possible, to be sufficiently au fait with their computers that their needs can be adequately fulfilled without delay.

NEWS

With immediate effect outgoing SMTP (Email) traffic will only be permitted via an ING-authorised mail server. This is being done to reduce the number of SPAM messages that are being routed via the ING out onto the Internet. 

DHCP Security

Due to the openness of the ORM (and the SLO) site, DHCP access is controlled via MAC address registration.  We do this to minimise access to our computers and networks by unauthorised individuals that are either within radio range or have physical access to our equipment.  Unfortunately, this does mean that you cannot expect to connect your computer to the ING network without prior registration.