Authentication in areas with shared access PCs

An authentication scheme for areas with shared access PCs is in use in the University of Bristol. Some of the reasons behind this are:

• To ensure that only members of the University are able to use our facilities;

  There have been a number of occasions when people who are not members of the University have been found using our facilities. This is unfair to members of the University, given the pressure on these resources. Requiring users to identify themselves when using these computers will prevent much of this abuse.

• To enable us to identify people misusing the facilities;

  Occasionally members of the University are found to be misusing our computers and network. Requiring users to authenticate using a username and password will allow us to identify and take action against this type of anti-social behaviour. It is important, therefore, to log off when you have finished using the system, otherwise you may find that you are held responsible for someone else's misuse.

• To ease administration;

  Users are required to authenticate to access other network resources such as file servers, electronic mail, and Unix machines. Our ultimate aim is to simplify the process of computer usage by requiring users to log on only once. This is, unfortunately, some way into the future, but integrating public computer room computers into this system will make everyone's life easier in the long term.

• To allow us to provide additional network services;

  There are several network services that we cannot provide without authentication, such as central filestore and central printing. This service allows us to provide additional functionality for users of authenticating PCs.

For further information, see Authentication FAQs.

Not all areas with shared access PCs use the same authentication; see the list of areas that use UOB domain authentication.

• Everyone who has a Bristol email address has been sent details of their UOB username and password.
• Note that this form sends the initial password to your Bristol email address. Contact the IT Service Desk if you have forgotten the password for your email account.