CUBINlab Users Site

The CUBIN laboratory (CUBINlab) was created in August 2002. It is a UNIX based integrated network environment supporting research in CUBIN. This page is the gateway to the CUBINlab users site. It gives a more detailed look at the facilities available and is primarily for users of the network. Many links on this site will not be accessible outside of the department and others are for CUBINlab users or administrators only.

CUBINlab does not provide a general purpose IT facility, but caters to special needs within CUBIN. Its primary role is the provision of specialist networking and computing needs for research projects. It is strictly UNIX based and assumes a certain level of self reliance. The operating philosophy is that users commit to an ongoing learning process, operating and extending the network themselves, with the support from the group administrators and other users. It caters to two main classes of user, `resident users' who operate entirely within CUBINlab and `outside users' who use the network for specific purposes only. Further details on the philosophy of the network and the types of users can be found in the CUBINlab Charter.

The CUBINlab administrators are students and staff who contribute their expertise on a part time basis. The administrators comprise a network supervisor who oversees the network (in conjunction with departmental IT support), a core system administrator maintaining the network fundamentals, a backup manager ensuring the smooth operation of the nightly tape backups, and finally an administrator for each of the semi-autonomous satellite entities. Longer term it is envisaged that a full time administrator/system expert will be appointed.

A description of the network core and each of the satellite entities it supports can be found on the navigation bar located on the left. User documentation contains information on a variety of topics including how to use the Wireless LAN (WLAN), how to access CUBINlab from departmental machines (registered CUBINlab users only), how to print, etc.

A simple network diagram describing the components of the Laboratory.