Desktop Systems Council (DeSC)

All machines must meet the new minimum hardware and software configurations to remain in the DeSC Standard Administrative environment.

DeSC Software Requirements

• Authorized DeSC computer models with the DeSC SFI Vista image installed may join the DeSC environment. See the Central Software Set web page for a list of software included on the DeSC Vista image. All other DeSC images are no longer authorized for participation in DeSC.
• DeSC laptops must be a user's primary machine and must be encrypted with the Princeton Disk Encryption Service to remain in the Standard Environment. See www.princeton.edu/encryption for more information about Princeton's encryption service. For information about the laptop program, see DeSC Laptop Program.

DeSC Hardware Requirements

• Authorized Dell desktop models are the Dell Optiplex 745s, 755s, and 960s.
• Authorized Dell laptop models are the Dell Latitude D620s, D630s, D630cs, and E6400s.

DeSC Disaster Recovery (Backup) Changes

The Dell Optiplex 755 and 960 come with new internal hardware. Departments will need to purchase additional hardware to be installed into the DeSC Dell Optiplex 745 Minitowers and Desktops which will make the following possible:

• DeSC will be able to offer shorter backup times -- a personal backup instead of complete backup
• The two drives will both have exactly the same data, reducing the user downtime -- from days to a few hours -- after a DeSC computer hard drive failure.
• Starting late Fall 2009 DeSC machines will be powered down in the evenings and backed up with TSM once a week on the weekends.

If you have a 745 without the RAID components (second hard drive and RAID Controller card), please contact hardware@princeton.edu or 609-258-6199. Refer to the table below for hardware pricing.

Note: The Dell Optiplex 745 Small Form Factor chassis is not expandable and cannot be upgraded with a RAID controller and two hard disks to allow RAID 1 mirroring. These units will be migrated to Vista but will only have the TSM personal backup policy and fall below the minimum hardware requirement for DeSC in December 2010.

SCAD/DCS DeSC Machine Setup Information

For SCAD/DCS members setting up their department's new DeSC machines, use the DeSC Rollout document to ensure proper setup. Go to https://braveheart.princeton.edu/sms and select the "Alternate - DeSC Vista Upgrade - Replacement Report " to view detailed information about your department DeSC Windows XP machines. Both sites are for SCAD/DCS members only.

REMINDER: All Laptops must be encrypted with the Princeton Disk Encryption Service to join the DeSC Standard Environment

Dell Optiplex 745 Hardware Component Upgrade

Computer	Chassis	Components	Component Cost
745 w/2gb 80GB RAID	MiniTower	Adaptec 1220S Sata RAID Card  80GB WDC SATA II drives SATA cable	$100.75
745 w/2gb 160GB RAID	MiniTower	Adaptec 1220S Sata RAID Card  160GB WDC SATA II drives SATA cable	$108.75
745 w/2gb 250GB RAID	MiniTower	Adaptec 1220S Sata RAID Card  250GB WDC SATA II drives SATA cable	$124.75
745 w/2gb 80GB RAID	Desktop	Addonics Serial ATA ADSA2  80GB WDC SATA II drives 2 SATA cable	$83.75
745 w/2gb 160GB RAID	Desktop	Addonics Serial ATA ADSA2  160GB WDC SATA II drives 2 SATA cable	$91.75
745 w/2gb 250GB RAID	Desktop	Addonics Serial ATA ADSA2 250GB Seagate SATA II drives 2 SATA cable	$107.75

Purchasing New Computers

To purchase new computers, use the Dell Premier Page, through the Princeton Marketplace. Your computer purchase will be charged against your department project/grant account. For more detailed information about buying from Dell using the Princeton Marketplace, review the information provided online at the Princeton Marketplace or contact the OIT Helpdesk by calling 8-HELP or sending e-mail to helpdesk@princeton.edu.

Retiring old DeSC Machine

When a model fall below the hardware minimum the machine will need to be moved out of DeSC environment and either retired or repurposed. For more information on retiring DeSC machines, see the OIT KnowledgeBase Solution 9004. OIT Desktop Support offers hard disk wiping services to departments at a rate of $94/hour.