PHHP IT
Operating System & Hardware Policies
Minimum System Configuration
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Processor: Dual Core Processor 2.66GHz
RAM: 3 GB
Harddrive: 160 GB
DVDRW drive
Floppy drive
Recommended Sysytem Configuration
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Processor: Dual Core Processor 3GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Harddrive: 160MB
DVDRW drive
Floppy drive
OS recommendation
The list of supported operating systems for the College of Public Health and Health Professions IT Staff is below.
- Windows XP Pro
- Mac OS 10.3 and up
- Linux Desktop Distribution Fedora Core 8
These operating system are currently still supported with vendor-supplied security patches and updates which meet College standards for functionality and reliability. Due to reduced vendor support, earlier Windows and Mac operating systems are not viable on the PHHP network.
College staff electing to use an OS not on the supported list will be responsible for their own support or for finding staff to do it with their funds. Support from the College IT staff will be limited to helping you find an active network port, an Internet address for your computer, an email account, and file sharing services.
Hardware recommendation
The College of Public Health and Health Professions IT Staff has a limited set computers recommended for purchase at Recommended Computer Systems for Purchase. The list is limited to reduce the diversity of PCs the IT staff will have to support. The machines selected were chosen because of the reputation of the vendor, the vendor's hardware choices in this line of computers, the generous terms of the warranty, and the excellent pricing available to the University.
Limiting the diversity of machines reduces the number drivers that must be kept current and allows the IT staff to solve a problem on one machine and then apply that knowledge to all of the similar machines. Furthermore the IT staff uses the disk imaging tool Norton Ghost to reinstall the OS very quickly. These tools are most effective when used with lots of identical or very similar machines.
College staff electing to purchase computers not on the supported hardware list will not receive the best level of support the IT staff has to offer and generally will get slower turn around time on hardware and software repairs.
Hardware Upgrades
College personnel interested in hardware upgrades should consult with the College IT staff before making their purchase. Call for 273-6200 or email support@phhp.ufl.edu for assistance. Some hardware upgrades can make their computer so different from it original state it may become difficult to support. Upgrades to motherboards, video adapters, network interfaces, cdrom drives, can slow the setup of the computer and we would appreciate a call before you made such purchases.
Upgrades to monitors, keyboards, speakers, and mice are generally benign. Your decision there would likely not effect your hardware or software adversely. On the other hand, we may have some useful input on those subjects if you would like some assistance.
Upgrades to RAM, while they do not negatively effect software do have to be selected carefully to match your hardware. Please call us for assistance on any RAM upgrade purchases.
Upgrades to harddisks generally do not effect your compatibility with our software images, but their replacement is more time consuming and involved. Please let us know when you are purchasing harddisks so we can schedule the upgrade.