Topics Map > Services > Computing Equipment, Software and Support > Desktop Support
Desktop Support
This service encompasses all office, virtual, and remote computing on campus not related to learning spaces
Overview
NDSU IT supports the personal computing needs of students, faculty, researchers, and staff. The service is based on providing common good applications and support to hardware that is fully supported.
Support provided through this service includes:
- Help provided through a variety of troubleshooting, training and consultation options
- Computer, mobile, tablet, virtual machine and peripheral (including printer) hardware standards
- Operating system installation, feature updates, patching, tuning and deprecation
- Antivirus monitoring and virus remediation - holistic security throughout the IT environment working together
- System authentication, identity management and mass storage configuration
- NDSU common good software installation, patching, upgrades and deprecation. Includes packages offered university-wide for departmental purchase
- Printer installation, driver updates and patching and deprecation
Desktop Support assists the entire campus in the following ways:
Getting Started
Getting started typically begins with purchasing a supported computer model at the NDSU bookstore and choosing a computing tier. An online form exists to start this process.
The following computing tiers are available. Your department head should consult with IT Security to determine what the best fit for the work you perform is.
| Tier | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensitive Data Computing | Enhanced security features and less flexibility for computer users. Helps protect against viruses, malware, and disclosure of data. Best used for people who handle sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information, or engage in trusted activities, such as running payroll. |
| Mainstream Computing | Typically for people who do not work with sensitive data or do not perform high trust activities. |
| Departmentally Supported | Not supported by IT. Typically offered through the College of Engineering, Agriculture, and a few other areas on campus. Contact your departmental IT Professional for details. Department assumes responsibility for adherence to policies and procedures. |
| Unsupported | Desktop support staff do not support these devices. Best effort support is available from the Help Desk. All NDSU and University System policies for electronic devices must still be followed. This should only be chosen in rare circumstances. The user assumes responsibility for adherence to relevant policies and procedures. |