Microsoft Vista
Table of contents
Microsoft Windows Vista
Guidelines and Recommendations
Information Technology (IT) does not recommend installing Microsoft Windows Vista, onto campus computers at this time. A CSUN technology team (comprising technology experts in the IT division and throughout the divisions and schools) is in the process of evaluating Vista. Although Vista has an exciting new look, there are significant functional differences from prior Windows operating systems causing incompatibilities with some software applications and hardware components. Initial vendor software releases are also prone to problems that are often fixed in subsequent releases known as service packs. CSUN currently plans to wait until at least the first Vista service pack release and the completion of successful testing with University applications and hardware before recommending installation of Vista on University computers.
However, most new computers (both those purchased for home use and new University–owned computers) now come preconfigured with Vista. If you have a computer with Vista, we offer the following suggestions for protecting your computer from viruses, and for working remotely.
Virus Protection
Faculty, Staff, and Students who purchase new computers pre–loaded with Vista are encouraged to protect those computers from viruses by downloading and installing Symantec Anti–Virus 10.2 from the Campus Software Download web site – https://www.csun.edu/itr/downloads/index.cgi.
Working Remotely
Faculty and Staff who want to connect to CSUN from off–campus to work remotely can download a copy of Cisco’s Vista–compatible Virtual Private Network (VPN) 5.0 software from the Software Download web site. Please note that Cisco reports certain limitations with this software including that it cannot be installed on a computer upgraded from Windows XP (or other Windows operating systems) – this does not affect new computers that came pre–loaded with Vista. A complete list of VPN 5.0 limitations is available on the VPN 5.0 software installation guide at http://www.csun.edu/it/training/guides/vpnvista.html. Despite the noted limitations from Cisco, testing conducted by Information Technology indicates that the VPN 5.0 software is stable and provides the same fundamental functionality as the Windows XP version.
Vista Evaluation Project Overview
A CSUN technology team (comprising technology experts in the IT division and throughout the divisions and schools) is evaluating when and how Vista should be implemented on campus.
The Vista project team is focused on evaluating Vista in areas such as:
- Compatibility with campus enterprise applications such as MS Office, Meeting Maker, and Symantec Antivirus, as well as department–specific software such as SPSS/SAS.
- Initial test results show that Vista is compatible with numerous campus enterprise applications however compatibility issues do exists for some department–specific software applications. Further testing will be conducted and a comprehensive software test document will be posted on this web site.
- Integration with Active Directory.
- An Active Directory test environment is being assembled so that Vista can be joined to Active Directory for testing.
- Best practices for deployment and license management.
- Introduction of security risks to the campus environment.
Feedback or Questions
To contact the Vista Project team, send an email to vistaprojsupp–l@csun.edu
Chris Sales, the project manager can be reached at campus extension 7497 or by email at csales@csun.edu