Software-Account Policy

Introduction

Operating systems like Windows, Linux and Solaris will not allow normal users to install software in system areas.

For researchstaff this policy may prove to be too restrictive. Therefore it is possible to relax the policy and give access to a single computer at a time through a software-account.

This document describes the policy regarding software-accounts and sets the rules for the user and the relation with the FNWI Informatiseringscentrum.

System maintenance

The Informatiseringscentrum uses an automated maintenance system for all computers. This maintenance system synchronises each computers' configuration according to a central configuration database.

Using the maintenance system, security leaks are patched and new or improved versions of application software is installed on all computers. This also applies to systems where software-accounts are available.

When is a software-account issued

In this section examples of circumstances are given for which software accounts may be issued. A fixed rule that applies to all computers and applications does not exist.

Apart from all technical requirements software-accounts are only issued for research purposes. Hobbying can never be a reason to issue a software-account.

The informatiseringscentrum has the right to decide whether or not a software-account is issued, under strong consideration of the request from the ICT-contactpersoon.

A software-account can be issued

• to a softwaredeveloper that needs administrator priviliges to install her own software.
• to a researcher, in order to install third-party software for as long as this software is not part of the standard software suite installed bij the Informatiseringscentrum.
• for software maintenance on systems attached to or used as measuring equipment.

Software-acocunts are personal and non-transferrable by the holder.

When will a software-account not be issued

A software-account will not be issued if

• it will be used for activities that will hamper the security of the computer itself, other computers, faculty networks or computers belonging to third parties.
• it will be used for activities that will hamper the functioning of the automated maintenance system.
• it will be used to install software that is already installed through the Informatiseringscentrums automated maintenance system.
• it will be used to change or modify software installed by the Informatiseringscentrum.
• it needs to be used by a third party (i.e., not a faculty staff member).
• it will be used to install a second operating system on the computer. (i.e., to make the system dualboot).

• the user acts in conflict with the (security) interests of the faculty.
• the software for which the software-account was issued becomes part of the standard software suite installed by the ict group.
• it is used for other purposes than those originally agreed on.
• the software-account was made available to other users.
• the software-account is being used to install illegal software.

In addition, software-accounts cannot be issued for servers.

Software-accounts are not intended for maintenance of many (or all) systems within an institute, e.g. to form a ict group within the institute. Such software maintenance is the competence of the faculty Informatiseringscentrum.

Installing software that is also installed by the automated maintenance system used by the Informatiseringscentrum will automatically result in the removal of such software.

Applying

To apply for a software-account you can send a request to the ICT-contact person of your group. If you don't know how to contact her, please ask general ICT support at the support address callcenter-ic@uva.nl.

The request should list the reason for the software-account as well as the software (name, supplier) for which the account is needed. If the software-account is issued the request is considered as agreement between the user of the software-account and the Informatiseringscentrum.

To transfer a software-account from one user to another the ICT-contact person must send a request to callcenter-ic@uva.nl.

The research institute remains responsible for the actions of the user of the software-account.

Legal and illegal Software

When a software-account is used to install commercially available software the user of the software-account acts under resposibility of the institute.

Any costs resulting from the use of illegal software will be paid by the institute.

Resulting damage

As a result of acts of the user of a software-account a computers operation may be disrupted. The cost of analysis and repair actions by the Informatiseringscentrum (fixed hour charge) are to be paid by the institute.

Damage to third parties, both inside and outside the faculty, are to be paid by the insitute.

When the Informatiseringscentrum must perform repairs to third party computers (within the faculty) for damages incurred by the user of the software-account all costs (according to the standard tariff mentioned above) will be paid by the institute.