System Downtime

A number of the SHSU administrative computing systems (including SamMenu, Nell, SamWeb) will be unavailable this evening, October 16th starting at 6 pm as we continue upgrading the servers.

QVT

As previously mentioned in our March 2009 update, there were some concerns with the use of unencrypted passwords when accessing Nell. Our first step was to remove CRT and direct all users to SecureCRT. Now we are ready to remove QVT which also makes use of unencrypted passwords. Therefore as of Oct 9th, QVT will no longer be available. You will need to begin using SecureCRT to access Nell which can be accessed through Start, All Programs, SHSU Programs, Communications, CRT, and Nell-Secure. Any old shortcuts on your desktop to QVT will need to be removed manually by you as they will no longer work for you. You can do this by right-clicking on the shortcut located on your desktop and selecting Delete. If you need assistance in removing these shortcuts, creating new ones or accessing Nell using SecureCRT, please contact the Helpdesk.

Nell Downtime 10/02/2009

Friday, October 2nd, after 6pm we will bringing the NELL system down to
perform hardware upgrades. We do not have a time line on how long the
system will be unavailable but will send notification out as soon as it is
back online.

Thank you,
Computer Services Systems Team

FileZilla FTP Software

As previously stated in the August IR update, we have done away with the old FTP software, WS_FTP, and replaced it with the new FileZilla 3.2.3.1. FileZilla has been deployed to all computers on our domain except for the computer labs. Those users wishing to install the software can do so by following the instructions below.

Install Instructions:
*Click on Start, then Control Panel.
*Click on Add/Remove Programs, and then Add New Programs.
*Under the Add programs from your network list, click on FileZilla and then the Add button.
*The program will then be listed under Start > All Programs > SHSU Programs > Utility(s).

FileZilla is very similar to the older WS_FTP program, so usage of the new program should not be too different. If you have any trouble using the new FileZilla software please follow the guides we have created on our Technology Tutorials page:

• Setting Up SFTP Connection With Filezilla
• Moving Files Around With Filezilla

If you have any trouble with installation or use of the program please call the Helpdesk at 936-294-1950.

Scheduled Maintenance

Friday night, July 24th, the UCS-Systems department will be replacing a switch. This will cause computer and telephone outages for the following locations: Bank of America, Farrington, Estill, Evans, Thomason, AB2, Sam Houston Museum, Walker Education Center, Marks Administration, Dan Rather, CHSS, and Sam South.

This switchover will also impact all analog gateways which means fax machines, credit card machines, fire alarms and any analog phones will be down. The outage will last from approximately 6 pm till 7 pm.

There will also be a scheduled downtime on the 24th from 6 pm to 9 pm affecting all Administrative menus (Nell, SamMenu, SamWeb) and Banner.

Creating a Shortcut

We have re-pushed SecureCRT to campus over the weekend and it will contain a new "Nell-Secure" session that will replace the "Nell" session. Here's how you can fix any shortcuts that you have created on your desktop.

1. First find and delete any "Nell" shortcuts on your desktop.
2. Click on Start > All programs > SHSU Programs > Communications > CRT
3. Find the "Nell-Secure" session and right-click on it. Drag the icon to your desktop and release the mouse button.
4. Select the option to "Copy"

As always call us or place a workorder if you need any assistance.

Using iTerm for Nell

You may have noticed in this month's IR Update that as of March 1st we will no longer allow telnet sessions into Nell. Here is the excerpt:

Whoa, Nell!

Several months ago, the SecureCRT option was added to make the university confidential information more “secure” when you log in to Nell. It is time to use it only. In the past, you have used WinQVT to telnet to Nell. As of March 1, 2009, that option will be gone completely. If you have an old shortcut on your desktop for the old method, it will not work at that time.

If you have not yet made the switch, please do so now. Click Start, All Programs, SHSU Programs, Communications, CRT, Nell. Try it out and if you have troubles with key-mapping or any other feature, please contact the Helpdesk.

When off-campus, you will remote in to your account, and then use the SecureCRT login option to reach Nell.

If you are using iTerm on a Mac to log into Nell you'll need to do the following.

1. Open iTerm.
2. Click on Bookmarks in your toolbar and select Manage Bookmarks...


3. Select the bookmark that is for connecting to Nell. The command on the bookmark will read "telnet nell.shsu.edu" Once that bookmark is highlighted click on the Edit button in the lower left-hand corner. It looks like a pencil.


4. Last, replace the word "telnet" with "ssh" in the command and click on OK.


When you launch iTerm next you will be using SSH, which is a secure connection, to connect to Nell rather than telnet. You may notice a little bit of a lag in being prompted for your password, don't be alarmed.

As always, please let us know if you have questions.

Have a great day!