DNS

DNS

We run a complete domain name service (DNS) which assigns a permanent fully-qualified domain name (FQDN) (*) in the .inf.ed.ac.uk domain to any machine on our network which has been assigned a fixed IP address. We do not run a dynamic DNS service, so we cannot give a permanent FQDN to any machine which is using a dynamically-assigned IP address.

We run a 'resolver' at each site, for the benefit of self-managed machines. The address(es) for this service will be configured by DHCP as appropriate.

Accessing sensitive data remotely from home or public machines

  • Consider using a VPN (for example our OpenVPN service), particularly if you are using wireless in a public place - public wireless points are often less secure than those at home or within the University.
  • When using a machine you do not manage (in an internet cafe, for example):
    • You must avoid accessing sensitive data on such a machine.
  • When using a home machine that you share with others:
    • You must use a separate user account that other individuals have no access to.
    • Please run antivirus.

Self-managed server rooms

The self-managed server rooms house self-managed machines which are unsuitable for an office environment. They are rooms B.Z14 and B.01 in the basement of the Informatics Forum. These pages tell you how to use them.

Safety

You must read this important information on safety and emergencies:

Remote wake-up for sleeping computers

The School of Informatics has a remote computer wake-up service. You can use it to wake a computer which is sleeping, as long as that computer is connected to the Informatics network by a network cable, and has a fixed IP address.

Appleton Tower The wake-up service no longer wakes computers in Appleton Tower, because of recent changes in network equipment. Sorry. If we find a solution we'll mention it here.

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