Materials Fileserver

The main Department of Materials File Server is currently called Materials0. Guidelines about usage of Materials0 are given below.

• Usernames
• Passwords
  • Password Selection Policy
  • Changing your password
• How To Connect to Materials0
  • SSH (Windows)
  • SSH (*nix)
  • Samba (Windows) Connections
    • i) From a command window:
    • ii) From the Run command (Ctrl R):
    • iii) In windows Explorer under Tools, Map Network Drive:
  • Using Novell Client32
• Further Information
  • Introduction
  • File System and Space Limits

Usernames

In the hope that the University is able to integrate a full Single Sign On system, Materials0 will be using your OUCS usernames. i.e. the same username you use to log into email. Currently it is not possible to automatically synchronise passwords between OUCS run services and Departmental services.

All users of materials0 will have a unique username as per the University Regulations Relating to the use of Information Technology Facilities, item 6. If groups of users need to share files, then this can be achieved by the creation of a shared storage area. Shared user accounts will not be available.

Passwords

Password Selection Policy

• Must be at least 6 characters in length
• Must include:
  • Uppercase letter (A-Z)
  • Lowercase letter (a-z)
  • Digit (0-9)
• Can optionally include Punctuation (&,'^"[]+-etc).
• Must not be a dictionary word or name.
• Must be different from your username.
• Must not be one of your most five recent passwords.

This is similar but not identical to the requirements of your Oxford(herald, webauth etc.) password.

More information on password security

Changing your password:

Do this first!

Your username and password will have been sent to you.

Connect using a SSH Client, and enter your password:

If your password has expired, as with a new account, then you should see the following:

Unfortunately, there is a glitch in the SSH for Windows Client which doesn't show all of the information. The second line is obscured by the response box as indicated by the arrows above.

If you press enter then you can see the full line:

Your response should be either 'y' or 'yes'.

(Obviously, You can make this response to the box with the line obscured.)

You will then need to type a new password twice. (Taking note of the password restrictions mentioned above.)

Alternatively or if you want to change your password at any other time, in a terminal type passwd and follow the prompts:

How To Connect to Materials0

SSH (Windows)

Start a SSH connection to materials0 (or in full materials0.materials.ox.ac.uk) either using SecureShell Client for Windows (recommended) or some other SSH client software.

SSH (*nix)

Nearly all *nix computers have a SSH client installed on them so from a terminal window:

>ssh username@materials0.materials.ox.ac.uk

will connect.

Samba (Windows) Connections

There are many methods for doing this, a few are listed below:

i) From a command window:

To open a command prompt on Windows XP goto: All programs - Accessories - Command Prompt or got to 'Run' and type 'cmd' in the box that pops up.

In the Command window type 'net use * \\materials0-w\username /user:username', substituting your username for username. You will be prompted for a password.

ii) From the Run command (Ctrl R):

Which brings up:

which shows files in a pop up windows explorer window.

iii) In windows Explorer under Tools, Map Network Drive:

which produces a log in prompt as in (ii), and also pops up a windows explorer window.

Note, browsing via Network Neighbourhood will not work. Also note that there is no method of changing your password if you connect using Samba.

Using Novell Client32

Materials0 supports connections via Novell Client32 which uses NCP (Netware Core Protocol). For advice on installation and configuration, please contact IT Support.

Further Information

Introduction

Materials0 was initially commissioned to be a replacement for 'emgroup1' - the file server installed for Electron Microscope users. It was designed to support the same connection methods as emgroup1, excepting the use of NFS mounts used by other *NIX systems. It is also designed to be able to support the same connection methods as the Department's other file server 'Materials2' with the long term aim to merge the services provided by both servers.

Materials0 runs Novell's Open Enterprise Server (OES) for Linux. Very simplistically, this has some core Novell Components that run on top of SuSE Enterprise Server. The most significant Novell Component in use is eDir which can be though of as a secure database containing user information along with other objects.

The eDir Tree, Materials, has users organised into containers dependent on their University Card status, e.g.: senmem, staff, postgraduate etc.

File System and Space Limits

Materials0 uses Novell's NSS filesystem. This has advantages of a short mounting time and an extensive set of file and directory attributes. These attributes give much more control and granularity to controlling access to the file system. However, it does mean that the normal *nix attributes are no longer applicable.

Each user has a space limit. The default applied quota is dependent on university status and is shown below:

	Default (Level1) (Gb)	Level 2 (Gb)	Level 3 (Gb)
senmen	2	5	20
staff	1	5	15
postgrad	1	5	10
visitor	1	5	15
external	1	5	15

When the account is created the default quota is applied. An increase to Level 2 will be granted on request. If further space is required this can be accomodated but a levy may be charged, essentially to pay for the extra hard disks that would be required.

Also, if a shared group area is required this can also be supplied, again a cost may be incurred. Please contact IT Support if this required.