IT Resources for Undergraduate Students

Computing Services Available to Undergraduate Students

This document outlines the Information Technology policies and support available to you at BML. Additional information about technology at BML can be found in the IT Service Level Agreement.

Resources 

Your responsibility as a BML network user

Your use of the BML network service constitutes your agreement to abide by the University’s acceptable use policy, as well as BML’s security requirements.

Laptop users must confirm that their computers meet the computer security requirements and have antivirus software, up-to-date virus definitions and appropriate security patches for your operating system. If you cannot confirm this yourself, please contact BML IT, we can provide you with UCD's recommended antivirus solution.

Wireless Access

Wireless at BML

  • The wireless network “BML” has access to all network services (servers, printers, internet) and requires a password, please contact BML IT for access information.
  • The wireless network “BML Guest” is internet only - it does not have access to BML network services, and requires no access password (just agree to the terms of use in your browser).

Wired ethernet access is available in many locations throughout the BML facility.

On the UC Davis Campus, wireless networks support most wireless devices and are available to all UC Davis computing account holders, sponsored guests, and Eduroam account holders. Learn more here.

Wireless at Housing

Wireless at BML Housing (called "Housing") requires an access password, please obtain from IT or the Housing Manager, the housing wireless network has internet access only, no BML network services.

Note: Individual experience/performance of Housing internet service will be affected by the availability of existing bandwidth, particularly during peak occupancy/peak usage times. If you have critical business to conduct that is dependent on a solid network connection, your best option is to go to BML and conduct your work from there, where the bandwidth is better and the wireless network is well distributed throughout most of the lab.

Housing network problems should be addressed to bmlithelp@ucdavis.edu.

During the months of peak occupancy, between June and October (6/15-10/1), network or wireless access problems will be considered P3 and will be addressed as soon as possible, during the resumption of business hours M-F 8AM-5PM, or as IT personnel are available during off hours.  

During the months of lower occupancy, between October and June (10/2-6/14), network or wireless access problems at housing will be considered P4 and will be addressed within ~24 hours, as personnel are available, during business hours M-F 8AM-5PM.

Bandwidth Usage

“Bandwidth” refers to the size and speed of the connection between the internet and Bodega Marine Laboratory. This bandwidth is used to send (upload) information from your computer or to receive (download) information to your computer.

While every network device has its own connection, each device must share bandwidth with the entire facility. This means that individual user activity can potentially affect the performance and quality of the network by using a disproportionate amount of the available bandwidth.

While using the Laboratory network, we ask that you refrain from discretionary high bandwidth activities such as streaming video, multiplayer gaming, peer-to-peer file sharing, large data downloads, or syncing large volumes of data to cloud services during business hours, 8 AM to 5 PM.

IT is committed to providing the necessary bandwidth to carry out the education, research and public service missions of BML. IT reserves the right to temporarily terminate a network connection in cases where an individual's activity degrades network performance. If we notice what we consider overuse or excessive activity, we will attempt to identify the source and speak to the individual. If we cannot ID the source of the traffic we may temporarily disconnect the source computer from the network.

If you have a requirement for a high bandwidth activity, please communicate with us; this is the only way to ensure that your network service will remain uninterrupted.

Computer Lab

The computer lab has 8 PCs networked with access to the internet and the BML LAN - these PCs have many common software applications installed, including the Microsoft Office Suite, Acrobat Reader, several statistics packages, etc.

The last computer on the back, right side of the room, "Comp Lab 4", has additional software titles: ArcGIS, and Adobe Photoshop Elements.

  • You may use your own login or the "clab" login when working in the computer lab. Do not save work on the computer lab PCs, instead save your work to removable media or cloud service such as box.com.
  • If you use your own BML network account on a computer lab PC, please log out before leaving the computer lab.
  • Remember that the computer lab is a common use area, use the resources and the space mindfully with respect for fellow users.
  • Please notify BML IT if you encounter any problems with the computer lab machines or need other assistance with hardware or software.

Select other specialized software programs can be accessed via the UC Davis IET Virtual Computer Lab, check the IET Virtual Computer Lab website for information on how to access virtual environments and software titles.

Box Cloud Storage

As a UC Davis affiliate you may sign up for Box. Box is a cloud-hosted data storage and collaboration service and tool for students, faculty, and staff. Box enables UC Davis affiliates the ability to share and access information from anywhere, at any time, and with any device.

Printing

The computer lab and the library have black & white two-sided (duplexing) printers. If you need color output, contact IT or your instructors. Please print in duplex mode whenever possible, this makes use of both sides of the paper. To do so, follow the links to the printer set up instructions for either the Mac or the PC. 

Printer problems should be reported to BML IT.

We recommend that students set up printers by IP address: 

Presentation (AV) Resources

  • The BML Lecture Hall has a projector and PC laptop for presentations, the South Wing Lounge also has a projector and screen for presentations, and there are screens in several of the other meeting rooms.
  • At housing, Tokau, Miwok, Oolok and the Dining Hall have flat screen TVs.

All projectors support 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios.

Many of the meeting resources at BML must be signed out in advance, see the room reservation webpage to reserve a meeting space.

The AV equipment in the meeting rooms is designed to be simple to use. The Lecture Hall has detailed instructions. IT staff can be scheduled to assist with audio visual (AV) set up, training or support. Be sure to return the equipment to the state in which you found it, and turn off the projector/screens when you are done. 

More information on Audio/Visual resources

Student Owned Personal Computers

Student owned equipment is supported only for the purpose of connecting it to the BML network. This support will consist of assistance in assuring that the network interface card is correctly configured for the student's operating system to properly function on the network. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the operating system software is functioning properly and that the computer is free of viruses, malware, etc.

More information on the limits of support for student-owned computers

BML Mail Lists

Please see information about BML mail lists and the audiences they are intended for.