I need a computer account or a password...

In fact, you may need several computer accounts. (This page gives brief setup information--for more information follow the links or check the FAQs page.) Start at the top of the list and work down through the list for what you need--In some cases you may need to log on to one account before setting up the next.

1. Patriotweb account
2. E-mail
3. Mason cluster
4. IT&E Linux (Unix) cluster
5. IT&E Windows domain accounts
6. Department-server, course, and specialty lab accounts
7. Now that I have my accounts, how do I.. (back to FAQs)

1. Patriotweb account

If you are a new to GMU, student or staff, and/or have not used any computers with your own named account, then you must start here. You need to know your GMU ID number and PIN code to log into patriotweb.gmu.edu and to activate e-mail and mason cluster accounts (below). Support contact information is on the website.

2. E-mail account more about e-mail

IT&E uses your GMU e-mail account for communication about your account on the IT&E systems.

E-mail account setup is automated. Check for support links on the website or contact the ITU support center for e-mail issues. Connect to the e-mail server mail.gmu.edu to set/change your password, read e-mail, ... Connect to the e-mail antispam filter server at antispam.gmu.edu to check filtered mail and adjust settings.

(Your GMU e-mail address is the basis for the username for your personal accounts on various (but not all) GMU computer systems and they should match it.)

3. Mason cluster account

A cluster is a group of computers that shares the same account information, in particular your username/password combination and your home directory space is shared on each computer of the cluster.

The Mason cluster includes the machines named mason.gmu.edu (aka osf1.gmu.edu), mason2.gmu.edu, ... You will need a Mason cluster account for accessing certain other GMU computer clusters from home, off-campus, or from on-campus computers not in the same cluster. The IT&E Linux cluster is one such cluster.

Account setup is automated. Connect to mason.gmu.edu to set/change your mason password. Support contact information is on the website.

4. IT&E Linux (Unix) cluster account more about this

The IT&E cluster includes the main server machine named zeus.ite.gmu.edu, hercules.ite.gmu.edu (for big jobs), and the Linux (or unix) machines in the classrooms/labs ST2-137, ST-124, ST-128, ST2-268, ST2-365, and so forth. (References to 'chrono', 'chrono.ite.gmu.edu', 'sun.ite', 'site-unix', and others refer to this cluster or older machines that used to be in this cluster.)

Your IT&E cluster account is coordinated so your username and password match your e-mail account information, and your IT&E home directory is normally accessible whenever and wherever you log in with that account. Check the FAQs for more information on the IT&E account

Account creation is automated. Support contact information is on the IT&E Labs website under 'Contact Us'.

(If you do not need any other accounts, you can stop here and return to the FAQs.)

5. IT&E Windows domain accounts

General accounts are available for IT&E students' use on Windows. Your instructor should tell you in class how to log on or you may check in lab ST2-137.

Staff and TAs may be assigned a personal Windows account on the SITE or LAB domains (e.g. clusters of Windows PCs). The domain username should match the GMU username. TAs should request/be assigned accounts at the semester start through their supervisor or department. Accounts are set up by the administrator, so we request lists for new staff/TAs accounts from the department. The lists should include the name and GMU e-mail username (department, course number(s) and section(s) are also useful).

Support contact information is on the IT&E Labs website under 'Contact Us'.

6. Department-server, course and specialty lab accounts.

Certain departments and courses require access to clusters or systems according to their resource needs. If you have heard of any of these (or some not listed) in class, you may need an account on that cluster or system. Your instructor should tell you in class how to obtain an account.

Follow the links to informational pages.

IT&E Labs Access resources:

• Hermes cluster (FAQ)
• Oracle (FAQ)
• SWE course-specific access
• ...

Computer Science servers ( send e-mail to help[at]cs.gmu.edu ):

• CS Research & Labs
• cs.gmu.edu

Distance Education:

• NET section of a class
• disted.ite.gmu.edu (password matches e-mail)
• netlab.gmu.edu/disted

ECE servers

• ece.gmu.edu (Unix),
• cpe01 (Windows),
• cpe02 (Unix),
• ECECPE domain (Windows)

7. Now that I have my accounts, how do I..

Let us refer you back to the FAQs page to see if your question is adressed...