Workstation Hardware & Software

About Support Standards

In an effort to more effectively provide service and support to the campus, Information Technology has developed standards for hardware and software. These guidelines will help insure the best support possible and improve the overall quality of support to the campus.

Why Hardware & Software Standards?

IT Hardware and Software Support Standards define support levels for different types of computer platforms, operating systems and software applications that are in use around campus. IT can provide excellent service to people whose computers adhere to these standards. IT has found that most of the problems that people experience with non-standard computers are related to a few factors.

Aging Computers

Older computers very often do not have the ability to run current operating systems and applications properly. Further, the user's computing needs are beyond the technological ability of the aging computers.

Operating System Incompatibilities

When a computer's operating system is upgraded repeatedly without cleaning up pieces of old operating systems the computer can experience problems caused by incompatibilities between old and new parts of the operating system.

Aging Applications

Out of date applications often have problems coexisting with new software, operating systems, or computer hardware.

Mystery Files

Many people on campus have "hand-me-down" computers. These have been passed on with many of the previous users' applications, system software, personal data and preference files. Most users aren't sure what can and can not be safely deleted, so the files remain or get moved to a storage folder. These files can eventually cause incompatibility problems with newer software.

This is where the standards come in. If users adhere to a basic set of standards in hardware and software many of these problems are avoided completely. Used in conjunction with procedures IT has established for workstation setup and maintenance, it is faster and easier for IT to fix problems when they do occur, and the overall downtime users experience is reduced.

Further, using the new standards, IT personnel can focus their training and procedural development on supported equipment and software, thereby improving the quality of service IT provides the campus for supported hardware and software. 

How to add titles to the supported software list

There are many applications in use on this campus and to try to list every one would be a mammoth undertaking, therefore, you will typically find only the most commonly used software applications on the IT support list. If you do not see a software title on the IT support list it may be assumed that the title is not supported by IT.

The IT Software/Hardware Support Review Committee will meet several times a year to review the support list and to make appropriate additions and changes. If a department or group is using a particular application that is not currently on the IT Software/Hardware Support list they may wish to have IT consider support for that application. A request for review of that application may be made by sending email to Evan Ferguson, requesting review. If the review committee determines that the application is one that IT is capable of supporting, it will be included on the support list and the requestor will be asked to provide IT with one or more copies of the software to facilitate support of the application.

Support Level Definitions

Hardware Support

Recommended

IT has determined that this hardware platform will give the user the best performance and compatibility with common software in use on this campus. IT is capable of offering hardware support on these systems for those departments and offices eligible for support.

Supported

Computers in this category are eligible for hardware support although the systems may not be ideal performers for the end-user. It is possible the user may have problems running some software because of a lack of sufficient memory or disk space and overall performance may be lower because of processor speed and type. IT is able to offer support to all eligible departments and offices for computers in this category.

Unsupported

Computer hardware platforms in this category are not supported in any form and the use of this equipment is strongly discouraged. IT does not maintain, repair, or otherwise support computers or computer hardware at this level.

Software Support

Required

This must be installed on your desktop computer in order to receive support from Information Technology.

Recommended

This software has been identified as being the most compatible with campus computing resources. In most cases, IT Help Desk staff will be able to provide technical support for supported users questions/problems, and can install (or help install) and configure these titles.

Supported

In most cases, IT is able to assist users with installing and configuring these titles and can provide some limited troubleshooting and/or advice to supported users.

Unsupported

IT does not install, configure, troubleshoot, repair or provide instruction for these titles. Those using these titles must obtain support from other sources.

Discouraged or Prohibited

This software should not be installed/used on campus desktop computers. These titles have serious bugs and/or conflicts with other campus computing resources. IT does not provide any support for these titles. In some cases these titles will be deleted if found on SSU-owned campus computers. Additionally, installation or use of this software may nullify IT's support obligations for that desktop computer.

Software Standards

Core Software Applications - Faculty Workstations

This is a list of software installed on standard Faculty workstations delivered by IT.

Macintosh - MacOS Sonoma (14) and Newer

• Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
• Adobe Creative Cloud Application Manager
• Audacity
• Camtasia
• Chrome
• Firefox
• Google Drive
• iTunes
• Java
• Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook
• Read&Write
• Safari
• Snagit
• SSU PowerPoint Templates
• VLC
• Zoom

Windows 11 Education

• 7-Zip
• Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
• Adobe Creative Cloud Application Manager
• Chrome
• Edge Chromium
• Firefox
• Java
• KeePass
• Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook
• Notepad++
• VLC
• Zoom

Core Software Applications - Staff Workstations

This is a list of software installed on standard Staff workstations delivered by IT.

Macintosh - MacOS Sonoma (14) and Newer

• Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
• Adobe Creative Cloud Application Manager
• Audacity
• Camtasia
• Chrome
• Firefox
• iTunes
• Java
• Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook
• Read&Write
• Safari
• Snagit
• SSU PowerPoint Templates
• Stuffit Expander
• VLC
• Zoom

Windows 11 Education

• 7-Zip
• Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
• Adobe Creative Cloud Application Manager
• Chrome
• Edge Chromium
• Firefox
• Java
• KeePass
• Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook
• Notepad++
• VLC
• Zoom

Computer Platforms (Hardware)

Note: Product links in the following tables do not always display the exact specifications of the product you will receive. Each model has been customized to meet SSU requirements.

Handheld Device Hardware Support

IT does not currently support Handheld Devices. IT does not offer any support on Smart Phones or Handheld Devices aside from basic Email setup and WiFi connectivity.

Operating Systems

Unix

People using Unix systems (including all variants of Unix, Linux, Solaris, etc.) must demonstrate administrative competence and responsibility. Support will be offered on a case by case basis. IT reserves the right to perform periodic security audits of any Unix computer on campus, and terminate network access if/when security becomes a problem.

Improperly configured Unix-based computers present a substantial security hazard for the entire campus.

External Hardware - Recommended & Pre-approved

The following devices have been reviewed by IT and are recommended for most users in common situations.  If you have questions about compatibility with your computer, please contact the IT Help Desk.  IT Purchase Review is not required for the following items, but if you have any questions before purchasing please contact technology.purchase@sonoma.edu(link sends e-mail).