Computing Resources

Stanford has one of the most extensive and diverse campus computing environments in the world. Your Stanford University Network Identifier (SUNet ID) and password will give you access to many online services, including email, library resources, course information, and student systems. Once you arrive on campus, you will find substantial access to online resources through public computing spaces in common buildings, and student residences.

 

ACCESSING THE STANFORD NETWORK

Stanford University Network Identifier (SUNet ID) and Password

A SUNet ID provides access to the Stanford University Network and its services. As a new member of the Stanford community, you created a unique SUNet ID and password that identifies you as an authorized user of campus electronic services. It is critical that you keep your SUNet ID login information private and secure; it must not be shared with anyone due to the privileged access it grants you. SUNet IDs provide access to many University services, including:

 

  • Email service and an email address (e.g., jdoe@stanford.edu)
  • Web services, including serving of personal web space
  • Login access to various web-based applications, including Axess
  • Storage space on Stanford’s online file system
  • Campus computing spaces
  • Printing
  • Software

Two-Step Authentication

You should have already enabled two-step authentication, which is required to access Stanford systems that have higher than normal levels of security and protects your Stanford account should someone else learn your password. Two-step authentication uses two types of authentication to verify your identity: your SUNet ID login/password, and an authentication code. There are several options for receiving authentication codes, including SMS text messaging, smartphone/tablet authenticator applications, and a hardware token that you carry with you. More information is available online to help you select the most appropriate option.

 

YOUR STANFORD EMAIL ACCOUNT

Email is an important way of communicating with faculty, staff, and students. You are responsible for knowing the information sent to your Stanford email account, even during this summer, and should check the email account regularly. Undergraduate email is provided through Google Apps for Education. You can access your Stanford email account online at webmail.stanford.edu or configure a mail program using instructions at email.stanford.edu.

 

PERSONAL COMPUTING

Information is available online about personal computing at Stanford, such as options to consider if you are buying a new computer, information about public and residential computer spaces, free software available for students, the Acceptable Use Policy and general computing policies at Stanford, and network connection in the residences. Should you need financial assistance purchasing a personal computer, contact the Financial Aid Office to learn about your options.

 

SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS

Because Stanford is an open research and educational environment, its network is accessible to almost anyone worldwide. There are steps you can take to reduce the risk that your computer is breached and at the same time help the entire Stanford network stay secure. The first time you connect your computer to the campus network, you will be automatically directed to the Student Computing Network Registration System to register your computer with the University. After you register your computer, the University provides a number of additional resources to help you maintain a safe computer security profile.

Essential Stanford Software

Go to ess.stanford.edu to access a variety of software, provided free to students, to keep your password secure, protect against computer viruses, and patch operating systems.

 

TECHNOLOGY COMPUTING SPACES

Computing in the Residences

Each student residence has one or more study spaces with computers, scanners, and laser printers available 24 hours a day and supported by Academic Computing Services. You can connect your personal computer to SUNet in the residences and adjacent common areas via wired or wireless networks. You may wish to wait to speak with your Resident Computer Consultant (RCC) before making decisions about what programs, hardware, and peripherals to use, but some students may wish to do so before moving in.

Computing in Central Locations

In addition to residence-based computing spaces, Stanford has public computing spaces. In particular, Lathrop Library hosts the Multimedia Studio for image, audio, and video editing projects, as well as the Digital Language Lab for foreign language computing. More information about locations and policies of these spaces is available online. You can use these facilities for coursework, email, academic research, and other related purposes. You cannot use them for commercial or political use; see the Computer and Network Usage Policy section below.

Assistive technology applications, including screen-magnification, text-to-speech reading programs, and mind-mapping solutions are available at campus computing clusters.

 

COMPUTER AND NETWORK USAGE POLICY

Stanford has a Computing and Network Usage Policy that translates the University’s general business practices into the electronic domain and conforms to federal, state, and local laws. This policy defines the appropriate usage of computers and networks with respect to intellectual property rights, privacy issues concerning information belonging to others, and the integrity of information resources. In addition, you should familiarize yourself with the related Student Computing Acceptable Use Policy.

File Sharing and Copyright Infringement

The University does not tolerate the use of its networks to facilitate the unlawful distribution of intellectual property. While the law provides limited exceptions, it is generally a violation of law to either upload or download copyrighted content, such as songs, movies, TV shows, video games, software programs, and textual works, without the express permission of the copyright owner. The consequences for students who use the Stanford network to unlawfully file share can be severe and can come from different fronts. Both the copyright owner and the University may impose penalties.

For more information, see the General Counsel’s Office FAQ on Peer-to-Peer File Sharing, the Academic Computing’s FAQ on file sharing, and the Provost’s Copyright Reminder.