The CAD Lab Academic Server Frequently Asked Questions Back to the FAQ Index

The CAD Lab network is an independent Network within the College, serving the CAD Labs' needs. When you log in to the network in the CAD Labs, you are logging into the CAD Labs' NT servers and Novell Netware servers. Your printers, disk space and personal directory space, and applications are provided through the CAD Lab servers. You should direct any questions or problems you may have to Wes Tanney, our CAD Lab Technologist, Chris Rowe, our CAD Student Technician, and Mark Kurdi, the CAD Coordinator.

When you log in to the network in other computer labs, you are logging into the Main Sheridan network (called Shernet). Here the applications, printers, and personal disk space is provided and managed by the Information Technology Department (I.T.). For help and support while working in these labs refer to your Instructor, the I.T. technicians in room B123, or call the I.T. helpdesk at extension 2150. Your email and internet access is provided through Shernet as well.

Shernet is huge: there are more than 19,000 current accounts and everyone in the college has a Shernet account. Most personal computers on Shernet run Windows95 though there are some areas that run DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1. These areas are being upgraded to Windows95 this year, and hopefully there will be no need for Windows3.1 anywhere in the college.

The CAD Lab network is small and changes rapidly: it is used by the CAD/CAM Institute for professional training in the ATC (Authorized Training Centre) and has specialized requirements and equipment. The CAD Lab software is specialized and geared to CAD- and visualization-related activities, and hardly a month goes by without a major update in one of the Software packages or a change in the system. The CAD Lab computers run Windows95 and Windows/NT.

There are about 2,000 current accounts in the CADLAB network. Currently, the following programs use the CAD Labs or have access to it:
     Architectural Technician/Technology
     Mechanical Technician/Technology - Design and Drafting
     Mechanical Technician/Technology
     Interior Design
     CAD/CAM Institute students

The only disadvantage of this setup is the duplication of accounts: When a student is registered in the College, he/she gets a Shernet Account automatically. Those who will work in the CAD Labs are assigned two additional accounts: an NT account, and a Novell netware account. This means that when a CAD Lab students change their password, they should change it on three different systems: two in the CADLAB (the NT and the Novell netware system), and one on shernet. It is recommended that all three passwords be synchronized (identical), although everything will still work if they are not.

In the future we expect that this "three password issue" will go away as we migrate toward one central database account for all full-time students.

	Sheridan Homepage	Last updated January 23, 1999 Comments, bug reports, suggestions to: mark.kurdi@sheridanc.on.ca