IT glossary

Aalto workstation name

A workstation installed into Aalto University’s network environment has a name code, with which the workstation is identified in the University’s network.

You can check the name code with these instructions:

Determining the name and IP address of an Aalto computer

IMEI-code

The International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a number, to identify mobile phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone, but can also be displayed on-screen on most phones by entering *#06# on the dial pad, or alongside other system information in the settings menu on smartphone operating systems.

IT policy

The usage policy of Aalto University’s information systems concerns all members of the university community, and the policy applies to usage of all information systems maintained by or under the responsibility of the university.

Become familiar with the IT policies published in Aalto University:

IT policies and guidelines

Serial numbers

The serial number of the device (workstations and phones) can be found on the device, either from its settings or from a sticker on the device. It is recommended to save the serial number information in case the device goes missing.

VPN-connection

A virtual private network (VPN) extends a private network across a public network, such as the Internet. It enables a computer or network-enabled device to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if it were directly connected to the private network, while benefiting from the functionality, security and management policies of the private network.

WA-IDs

WA ID means that you have administrative rights to your own Aalto workstation. You can perform software installations and updates, e.g. installation of printer drivers, which you cannot perform with a regular ID. (It is forbidden to update the core operating system or change the security settings!)

WLAN-connection

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a wireless computer network that links two or more devices using a wireless distribution method within a limited area such as a home, university, or office building. This gives users the ability to move around within a local coverage area and still be connected to the network, and can provide a connection to the wider Internet.

Work network drive

Some disk space has been reserved for Aalto’s staff for saving work-related files on the Work network drive. Work drives are user or user group-specific shared network folders, which can be used as an internal file storage and sharing space by organizational units or other groups. Mac and Windows workstations do not automatically synchronize or save information on the Work drive. It is recommended to make a separate offline folder on your workstation, which you synchronize to the Work drive. It is faster and it takes less space to synchronize a single folder.

Z home directory

The default size of the staff’s home directories is 40 gigabytes, and the directories are meant for storing personal files. Only the owner of the directory has access rights to it and its contents. All the files contained in your workstation’s Desktop, Downloads, Favorites and My Documents folders are synchronized to the home directory.