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New Mexico State University

Security, Policies & Guidelines

New Mexico State University

Computer Replacement Guideline

 

Purpose of Guideline: New Mexico State University (NMSU) recognizes that technology is a critical component of today’s society. Technology is also an integral part of NMSU’s mission in teaching, research and outreach. NMSU’s purpose in this guideline is to insure that every NMSU faculty, staff, and student is provided with the most cost effective, appropriate and current technology in order to fulfill the universities mission.

Minimum Computer Specifications:

Age:

  • Desktop, laptop and servers residing on the campus should not be more than 3 to 4 years of age.

Desktop minimum specifications (PC):

  • Processor capable of running Windows XP Professional, with Service Pack 3. Minimum of a 2.33 GHz Core2 Duo processor, preferably higher.
  • Memory (RAM) should be a minimum of 2.0 GB.
  • Hard drive should be a minimum of 160 GB with Windows XP, Office 2007 and antivirus software.
  • LAN card should be GigaBit capable.
  • Monitor size is best left to individual users, but LCD flat panel monitors are recommended to reduce heat load.
  • Video card with minimum of 256 MB of memory with VGA/DVI output. 

Desktop minimum specifications (MAC):

  • Macintosh Computer with a minimum of Intel Core2 Duo processor capable of running MAC OS 10.5.5 and antivirus software.
  • Memory (RAM) should be a minimum of 2.0 GB.
  • Hard drive should be a minimum of 160 GB hard drive.
  • DVD-ROM drive
  • GigaBit capable LAN card

Laptop minimum specifications (PC):

  • Processor capable of running Windows XP Professional, with Service Pack 3. Minimum of at least an Intel Core2 Duo 2.2 GHz processor, preferably higher.
  • Memory (RAM) should be a minimum of 2.0 GB.
  • Hard drive should be a minimum of 160 GB with Windows XP, Office 2007 and antivirus software.
  • Wireless LAN should be 802.11 b/g/n capable.

Laptop minimum specifications (MAC):

  • Intel Core2 Duo processor capable of running MAC OS 10.5.5 and antivirus software.
  • Memory (RAM) should be a minimum 2.0 GB.
  • Hard drive should be a minimum of 160 GB.
  • DVD-ROM drive.
  • GigBit capable internal LAN.
  • 802.11 b/g/n internal wireless LAN.

Server minimum specifications (PC):

  • Operating system minimum is Windows 2008 Server, Standard version for non-clustering environments, Enterprise for clustering environments and antivirus software.
  • Minimum of at lease a 2.0 GHz processor, preferably higher.
  • Hard drive disk space minimum should be no less than 100GB.
  • Memory (RAM) should be a minimum of 2 Gig.
  • Redundant power supplies are recommended.
  • Preference should be given to the cost effective RAID environment and where high availability is a requirement, a SAN environment is preferred.

Server minimum specifications (MAC) (Apple Hardware):

  • Minimum specifications are Macintosh Server 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 10.5 OSX Server and antivirus software.
  • 2GB of RAM for minimal service, additional RAM for high-demand environments running multiple services.
  • Redundant power supplies are recommended.
  • Built in FireWire
  • 100GB hard drive

Computer Replacement Guideline:

University departments are advised to implement a 3-year replacement cycle for all desktop and laptop computers. This guideline will allow the units to replace the computers on a quarterly cycle with a minimum impact on unit budget while providing reasonably current technology to faculty staff and students of the university. Replacement of computers should be done with departmental budget limitations taken into consideration. In addition, employees requiring current technology in order to fulfill the universities mission in teaching, research and outreach shall be given primary consideration for computer replacement. Departmental office computers, departmental general/limited use computers, and departmental computer clusters should be given secondary consideration as well as updated by computers that are being replace of those given primary consideration.

Server Replacement Guideline:

University departments are advised to implement a 4-year replacement cycle for all departmental servers. Replacement of servers should be done with departmental budget limitations taken into consideration. In addition, departmental areas requiring current technology in order to fulfill the universities mission in teaching, research and outreach shall be given primary consideration for server replacement.

 

Created 12/02/08