Mid july 2019 the Windows 2008 Terminal Server ts2 will be switched off. This terminal server used to be necessary for non-Windows users to use BASS or Tracelab. Please contact C&CZ if you think this might cause problems for you.

The most recent version of the TeX Collection, 2019, is available for MS-Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It can be found on the Install network share.

Update 4 of the Intel Parallel Studio XE Cluster Edition for Linux 2019 has been installed in /vol/opt/intelcompilers and is available on a.o. clusternodes en loginservers. The older (2019 and 2014) versions can also be found there. To set the environment variables correctly, BASH-users must first run: source /vol/opt/intelcompilers/intel-2019u4/composerxe/bin/compilervars.sh intel64 After that, icc -V gives the new version number as output. For more info see the page on Intel compilers

The Science VPN has a new technique, in which individual users can get access to restricted parts of the network with two-factor authentication (username/password and certificate). This has been developed on request of a department that wants to give maintenance partners access to only the equipment that they service. Departments that are interested in this access, can contact C&CZ.

Because Squirrel webmail can’t handle the STARTTLS security level that we want to achieve, Squirrel will be phased out July 1. Users are advised to switch to a more modern Science webmail system.

Recently, C&CZ worked on DNS based techniques that can be used to fight spam, phishing and eavesdropping of mail. Of the list of mandatory open standards of the [https://www.forumstandaardisatie.nl/open-standaarden/lijst/verplicht?f%5B0%5D=field_keywords%3A68 Pas-Toe-of-Leg-Uit] list w.r.t. email, C&CZ implemented SPF a while ago. Because strict implementation [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sender_Policy_Framework#FAIL_and_forwarding breaks simple/automatic forwarding], SPF has not been implemented in a strict manner. Also STARTTLS for mail encryption has been implemented a while ago. Recently, we introduced [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNS-based_Authentication_of_Named_Entities DANE] and DMARC, which makes it possible to start with DKIM....

As a requisite for the RU project “Introduction Safe Email Standards” project, that deals with the list of mandatory open standards of the Pas-Toe-of-Leg-Uit list, C&CZ introduced DNSSEC for all mail domains within ru.nl administered by C&CZ (science.ru.nl, cs.ru.nl, astro.ru.nl, math.ru.nl, …).

The old Konica Minolta MFPs will be removed from April 25. Users have had several weeks time to move over to the new system, that is much faster and more user friendly. For students: try to use up your old credit and do not top up. Can’t use up all your credit? Then you can ask to get a refund at the Library of Science until June 1, 2019. For all users: EveryOnePrint will be shutdown too, this functionality can be found in the SafeQ web upload....

The latest version of Matlab, R2019a, is available for departments that have licenses. The software and license codes can be obtained through a mail to postmaster for those entitled to it. The software can also be found on the install-disc. All C&CZ-managed Linux machines will soon have this version installed, an older version (/opt/matlab-R2018b/bin/matlab) is still available temporarily. The C&CZ-managed Windows machines will not receive a new version during the semester to prevent problems with version dependencies in current lectures....

The latest version of Maple, Maple2019, can be found on the Install network share and has been installed on C&CZ managed Linux computers. License codes can be requested from C&CZ helpdesk or postmaster by departments that take part in the license.