A 'self-managed machine' on our network is any machine other than a desktop running the DICE managed version of Linux, or a Windows Managed device such as the PCs located in the meeting rooms.
For example, all of the following are 'self-managed machines' in our terminology - a laptop (running any OS, including Supported Mac), a desktop running a linux distro, a rackable server running ubuntu, or a bespoke piece of equipment which has a wired network interface.
Self-managed machines will be physically located in offices, and on desks - just like DICE managed desktops or Windows Managed Desktops, however they cannot use an ethernet connection unless they have been authorised to do so by computing support. All wired devices must be pre-registered before being connected and must have a named responsible person. Note that only machines which are in the Informatics inventory are eligible, i.e. purchased by The School/Grant/University budget.
Laptops and other mobile devices by default should use the University WiFi network - eduroam . We don't normally register laptops, or any personally-owned devices to use ethernet connection, but if this is crucial for your work, get in touch with a business case.
Self-managed servers must be located in one or other of our dedicated server rooms - see our Self-managed server rooms page for more information on that.
In the Informatics Forum and Bayes Centre (Informatics-managed spaces), self-managed devices in offices will be logically located on the new single subnet (SM444) launching August 2026:
- Registered machines will be allocated a fixed IP address on VLAN 'SM444' (192.168.44.0/23)
- The dynamic DHCP service in the Informatics Forum and Bayes is soon to be withdrawn.
- The former selfmanaged VLAN 'SM164' (129.215.164.0/23) and 'SM197' 129.215.197.0/24 are also soon to be withdrawn.
|
Important: You should always configure your self-managed machine to acquire its complete TCP/IP configuration via DHCP. Doing so is the only way your machine can be guaranteed to acquire correct IP routing configuration, correct DNS server configuration, etc.: on our network, these configurations can and do change from time to time. In particular, unless your machine doesn't support DHCP at all, please never hard-configure the IP address of the machine. Note that by default the network will reject any attempts by self-managed machines to use addresses which have not previously been assigned to them by DHCP. |
Note: All users of a self-managed managed machine must read, understand and comply with the self-managed machines policy.
Also refer to the guidance for using the wired network in the Forum
To request an ethernet connection submit a Support Form, providing details of the device to be registered, eg:
- manufacturer serial number
- Informatics barcode number
- Purchase order number
- mac address
- wall/floorbox port number and room number