[labnetwork] Getting files off older computers

[Ryan R Anderson]

Hi Kevin,

A good solution is to purchase a Windows 10 PC to function as a network portal and create a LAN so that data on the old computers at the instrumentation can be accessed from the newer, network compatible PC.  Set network drive permissions on the Windows 10 PC to read only and notify the users that they should always back up their data (we put labels on all the computers indicating that the data stored there could be deleted at any time) and delete any data they don’t want others to see.  Recommend or require that the users upload their data directly to their own online storage to minimize USB usage.  Since the network portal PC is only for internet access a relatively cheap one will work fine and since no data or software lives there it is relatively easy to deal with if it goes down.  It can also serve as a convenient place for users to access your lab management system to log in and out for equipment usage.  I had this set up in operation at Nano3, UC San Diego for several years and it worked great.  It may not be perfect but hopefully this helps.

Regards,

Ryan Anderson
Manager, Center for Nano-MicroManufacturing
1209 Kemper Hall
University of California at Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
Phone: 530-601-3943
Email: rrand at ucdavis.edu



From: labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu <labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu> On Behalf Of Kevin McPeak
Sent: Sunday, September 9, 2018 4:54 PM
To: labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
Subject: [labnetwork] Getting files off older computers

Dear Colleagues,

Here at the LSU cleanroom, we have several older computers (e.g Win XP and Win 7) which are not allowed on the network. These computers are connected to instruments (e.g. SEM and AFM) that we often need to get files from. Unfortunately, the instruments do not run on Win 10 (our network administrator won't allow Win 7 on the network as well).

The current protocol to get images etc. off these older computers is to use a cleanroom owned USB stick to move the file to one computer in the cleanroom which is on the network.

I do not like this protocol. It is very difficult to stop users from using their own USB stick, which could be infected. Also USB sticks grow legs.

I suspect other facilities on the list have faced these same challenges. I am curious how you have resolved them. Thank you in advance for your input!

Regards,
Kevin

--
Kevin M. McPeak
Assistant Professor
Louisiana State University
Dept. of Chemical Engineering
3307 Patrick Taylor Hall
Baton Rouge, LA  70803
email: kmcpeak at lsu.edu<mailto:kmcpeak at lsu.edu>
phone: 225-578-0058
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