Learning Outcomes

Operate engineering software on personal and lab computers
Send and receive e-mail and use other campus computing services

Chapter Learning Outcomes

• Differentiate between UnityID, student ID number, and e-mail address and use them in the correct contexts when asked.
• Connect a personal device to the campus wireless networks, including NOMAD and eduroam.
• Compose and send email messages using a mail client or browser-based service from NCSU accounts, including attaching files.
• Select appropriate email fields (To, CC, BCC, Reply-To) to control message delivery from NCSU accounts.
• Use the Learning Management System (Moodle) and external tools (e.g., Gradescope, Panopto).
• Describe the features and usage of the campus WolfPrint service for printing.

For more detailed information about technology on campus, check out the OIT website.

The College of Engineering has various software applications available for download at it.engr.ncsu.edu/.

Other softwares for educational purposes can be found at software.ncsu.edu.

ITECS Service Desk

If you need support with any of the engineering software we describe in this chapter, or with others that you use in other classes, you can contact ITECS.

Contact when you need help with:

• Engineering software (MATLAB, AutoCAD, etc.)
• Computer lab access
• Software licensing

ITECS Services:

1. Laptop Loan Program – Borrow Windows laptops (2-14 days) with engineering software. Great for temporary needs, like if your laptop is being repaired.
2. Software Assistance – Help finding, licensing, and installing engineering software. For personal devices, through the Virtual Computing Lab (VCL), or in campus computer labs
3. Computer Labs – Main labs in Fitts-Woolard 2351, EB3 2108, and 111 Lampe 226. Other Eos computers available around campus.
4. Virtual Computing Lab (VCL) – Access Eos lab software remotely from anywhere
5. Poster Printing – Large format printing in Fitts-Woolard 2351 or Engineering Building I (only for students, faculty, and staff in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, appointment required)

For any additional questions or concerns, students can visit any ITECS Service Desk, open weekdays from 8 AM – 5 PM:

• Fitts-Woolard Hall, room 3314
• Engineering Building I, room 1002
• 111 Lampe Dr., room 456

Computers at the NC State University Libraries

NC State offers a variety of desktop computers around campus that can run Windows, Mac, and Linux. Use your Unity ID and password to log in.

• On Centennial Campus: Hunt Library’s 4th floor Lake Raleigh Learning Commons has many desktop computers. Hunt’s 3rd floor Dataspace also has reservable computers with specialized hardware and software for advanced users. 
• On Main Campus: Hill Library has a comparable Learning Commons (1st floor) and Data Experience Lab (3rd floor).
• You can also check out a Mac or Windows laptop for 24 hours at each library’s Ask Us desk.
• Use the library’s software search to find computers with specific software installed.

College of Engineering Computer Labs

The College of Engineering has many computer labs, including in EB3 and Fitts-Woolard on Centennial Campus and in Lampe, Burlington and Weaver Labs on Main Campus. See the list here.

Logging In & Out

Use the table below for login/logout steps. If you are at the library, there is likely a staff person available to help you if you are not sure what to do. You can also use Ask Us! to get help. Also, you can check out laptops and other devices if needed.

 Example Operating Systems

Windows

You will find Windows computers in the engineering computer labs (such as LMP 226) and in Hunt and D.H. Hill libraries.

MAC OS X

You will find Mac computers in Hunt and D.H. Hill libraries.

Linux

You can find Linux computers in Hunt and D.H. Hill, as well as in the engineering computer labs (such as LMP 226).

Accessing Files

Windows

Open File Explorer → This PC. Use either the B:\drive or the Network Location labeled with your Unity ID to access your files.

To use Terminal on Windows, you can open PowerShell and ssh in:

ssh unityid@remote.eos.ncsu.edu

You may also use PuTTY if preferred; most lab computers do have it installed.

Mac

To access your files, open Terminal (via Spotlight Search) and type:

ssh unityid@remote.eos.ncsu.edu

Linux

Open Terminal from Applications → System Tools → Terminal. You can access your files via the Home Folder shortcut in the taskbar or desktop.

Printing on Campus

NC State uses the Papercut system for printing. It’s linked to your Unity ID and works on lab computers and campus Wi-Fi. Off-campus printing requires a VPN. Printing costs depend on black-and-white vs. color.

File Types

Papercut accepts PDF files only from personal laptops. Lab computers can print other formats.

Convert your file to PDF (Microsoft instructions) before uploading.

From a lab computer, users can print files without having to convert them to a PDF.

How to Print

1. Go to wolfprint.ncsu.edu
2. Log in → “Web Print” → “Submit a Job”
3. Select printer (use your schedule’s building code as a hint)
4. Upload your PDF

Check status under “Pending and Recent Jobs.”

Don’t attempt to fix printers yourself.

Papercut Frequently Asked Questions.

Unity accounts give users access to NC State’s computing systems, including campus Wi-Fi, lab computers, and academic services.

For help with account issues, outages, or remote support, visit help.ncsu.edu or contact help@ncsu.edu/919-515-HELP (4357).

Unity ID examples

• Ashley Mary Doe →amdoe
• John K Walker →jkwalke2
• Mark Adam Henderson →mahender

Note: Your Unity ID is not your 9-digit Student ID.

More info: Unity Credentials.

Also referred to as username, login ID, or user ID across campus. In E 115, we’ll refer to it as “Unity ID.”

Passwords

Your password protects your account. You must change your default Unity password after logging in for the first time.

Change it here: go.ncsu.edu/resetpassword. Review current guidelines via the knowledge base article.

Do not share your passwordor respond to emails asking for login info. It’s against NC State policy.

Student ID Number

 

 

Email Addresses

Your official address isunityid@ncsu.edu and uses Gmail servers.

All official communication from the University to students will be sent via email. Your email includes your unityID, but is not your unityID. It has a domain name, ncsu.edu, attached to it.

To ensure that you receive all University communication, check My Pack Portal in the Personal Information > Contact Information> Email boxes on the For Students front page, or under the Self Service > Campus Personal Information > E-mail Addresses tabs. Your default address should be unityid@ncsu.edu and cannot be changed, but you may set up additional addresses as backups.

Additional Resources

• Nightly backup of storage
• Email + personal web hosting
• High-speed internet on/off campus
• Lab & remote software access
• Networked printing: print.ncsu.edu
• Summer access for pre-registered students
• Graduates keep Google access for 6 months; NFS access for 30 days
• Visit OIT site for more information
• Students get storage space on the NCSU File System (NFS), accessible as a home directory on Linux systems and as the B: drive (ncsudrive) on Windows.

Exercises

1. What is the password policy at NC State, or another place of employment or study you belong to? Do you have to change passwords every so often? What are the minimum requirements for a password?
2. When was the last time you backed up your data? What method did you use? In one to two pages, describe a method for backing up your data.
3. Play this password game from Neal.fun. The game is humorous, but also critiques the experience many of us have setting up new passwords. How does it relate to real-world password creation?
4. Why might being required to change our passwords regularly actually pose a threat to our security?
5. If I have a six-character password consisting of uppercase (English) letters and the digits 0 through 9 only, how many seconds might it take an adversary to crack, assuming they make one attempt per second?

Wi-Fi

Device Registration

To avoid having to log in every time you use your computer on the NC State network, register your device so the network recognizes it. You may need to log into eduroam first. Once logged in, go to “Add Device” in the left-hand column to register your device.
For eduroam registration, visit: https://wifi.ncsu.edu/eduroam/ and scroll down to “How do I connect?”
You will need to periodically re-register your device, but you should receive an email before your registration expires.

Guides to connect other devices:Android|iOS

Eduroam

Secure internet at NC State and many other institutions worldwide. If you have trouble connecting, switch to the ncsu SSID.

Nomad

Provides wired and wireless internet for NC State members. You must login with your Unity ID, and will need to reauthenticate if you disconnect for too long.

NCSU vs. NCSU-guest

ncsurequires login and allows full campus access (e.g., file system).ncsu-guestis internet-only. Usencsu (or eduroam) for E 115.

If you need to do file transfer (e.g., with FileZilla) or access other secure resources (VCL) you must be on a secure wi-fi like ncsu or eduroam. ncsu-guest or other guest wi-fi will NOT work for these scenarios!

Visit wifi.ncsu.edu for info on Eduroam, Nomad, and ncsu-guest.