20-Dec-2021

Linux Updates: Tuesday, 21-Dec-2021 @ 10:00 AM

On Tuesday, 21-Dec-2021, at 10:00 AM, the latest Scientific Linux 7 (SL7) kernels and NVIDIA drivers will be pushed to all CLASSE SL7 boxes. Please reboot your computer after 12:00 noon on Tuesday for the updated kernel and drivers to take effect.

Computer Care Over Winter Break

Similar to recent years, we are making the following recommendations for the winter break from 24-Dec-2021 through 02-Jan-2022:

• If you have a Linux desktop (see above), or if you expect to use your desktop computer remotely, or if you will be away for only a few days, please leave your computer powered on (although you may turn off only your computer's display). Leaving your computer powered on allows software patches and security updates to be installed automatically.
• If you will be leaving for the holidays and have a desktop computer used only by yourself, please do a "graceful shutdown" of your computer before you leave.

If you have any questions about these recommendations, please feel free to submit a ServiceRequest.

OpenVPN Retirement: Monday, 28-Feb-2022

On Monday, 28-Feb-2022, we plan to shut down the legacy CLASSE VPN service, OpenVPN. At this point, CLASSE personnel should begin to use our new VPN, known as Pritunl. Instructions for using Pritunl from CLASSE-managed and personal computers are available at ClasseVPN. For enhanced security, our Pritunl deployment includes two-factor authentication via CLASSE Duo (see below).

CLASSE Duo: Two-Factor Authentication

In light of the increased threat posed by ransomware and account compromises, CLASSE is adopting the use of Duo two-factor authentication for enhanced security of web services and remote logins. CLASSE Duo operates very similarly to Cornell's Duo service, although a separate CLASSE registration is required. To enroll in CLASSE Duo, please see these instructions for our web-based management portal. CLASSE Duo is currently required for the new VPN (Pritunl), and we plan to enable it for additional services in the future, such as remote logins. If you have any questions or concerns about CLASSE Duo, please submit a ServiceRequest.

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General network and server maintenance will occur every Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM. The CLASSE-IT group will always announce any expected disruptions in our NewsLetter and via CLASSE-IT-NEWS-L, but with the size and complexity of our network there is always the potential for something to go wrong. We will do our best to contain all network maintenance and planned outages to Tuesdays from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM.

Unless other arrangements have been made, CLASSE-managed Windows systems may be updated and rebooted on Tuesday morning at 2:00 AM, so please avoid critical or lengthy operations at that time. For more details, please see SystemExpectations.

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Questions or problems? Submit a service request.

Other resources:

• CLASSE-IT Home Page
• Previous newsletters

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