Frequently Used Jargons: Do You Know What They Mean?

Frequently Used Jargons: Do You Know What They Mean?
By Annie Yu

Jargons
VPN	VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network" and it is a way to provide remote access to an organisation's network via the Internet. VPNs send data over the public Internet through secure "tunnels". Therefore, if you decided to use the services on the CityU network from a remote site e.g. from home, you could safely log on the campus network by establishing a VPN connection between your home PC and CityU via the Internet. For more details and the steps on how you can set up such a connection, please visit the CSC Web site at http://www.cityu.edu.hk/csc/deptweb/facilities/ctnet/vpn/vpn.htm
IP (Blocked/ Released)	Every computer connected to the CTNET (CityU Campus Network) has an IP which must be properly registered using an authorized Network Address and a registered network card. If not, these computers will be considered as illegal and be blocked from accessing the campus network as soon as they are discovered, in which case you must check and if necessary, update the registration information of the network connection for your computer. In case of discrepancies, you may have to ask your Departmental Network Administrator (DNA) to do the amendments for you as some privileged data of your registration record in our database are protected and can only be updated by your DNA through the Network Address Management System (NAMS). If problems still persist, you may want to ask the CSC for help by submitting a CSC Work Request. All blocked network cards and/or IP addresses, and the reasons for being blocked can be found at the following URL: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/itdev/itsecurity/stafflan/incidents/ list_of_blocked_ip.htm When proper remedial actions have been taken, you must inform the CSC via email before IPs can be released.
i-CMS	The Internet-based Course Management System (i-CMS) is a central database of student records maintained by the Academic Regulations and Records Office (ARRO). Through the Web interface, students and staff can access the database whenever and wherever needed. Course instructors are expected to enter students' marks and calculate final grades using i-CMS, which can be accessed by course examiners for co-ordination, the Assessment Panel for approval, the Registrar's Office for records, and the relevant department for reference. The system also gives academic departments a quick reference to students' performance in their programme, not just in a particular course. Some non-academic departments, such as the Library, will be given access to certain student information to facilitate their work. Through i-CMS, academic staff can process assessment results, assess their students' academic history, retrieve student lists and send emails to students.
IP Phone	The use of IP Phones was first introduced by the CSC two years ago. Based on Voice over IP (VoIP) technologies, the IP phone system not only allows voice, data and video to share the same network cable (hence reducing cabling and support cost) but also offers many features normally not found or cannot be implemented under the conventional PBX system. As such, the university has decided to gradually phase out the existing PBX system and adopt the IP phone technologies in all new buildings and offices. At CityU, 4 models of Cisco 7900 IP phones are used to enhance productivity and address the specific needs of the variety of users in the university. The Cisco 7910G IP Phones features a simple design and easy-to-use dedicated function buttons while Cisco IP Phones 7960G, 7940G, and 7912G feature pixel-based LCD displays, offering dynamic soft keys that guide a user through call features and functions, and can support additional information services including IP phone directory of the university. Quick references on the usage are as follows: Quick reference of 7910 & 7912G IP phone in Student Residence Online user guide of 7912G IP Phone Quick reference of 7910 IP phone Quick reference of 7940/7960 IP phone Quick reference of voice mail
AIMS	Students can apply for lockers and student residence, check their personal information, Web add/drop classes, view registration record and class schedule, as well as their examination results, degree audit report and account summary through the Administrative Information Management System (AIMS). Through AIMS, staff can verify their personal data and pay advice, apply online leave and staff development courses, view the departmental staff directory as well as the university communications directory, etc. To access AIMS via e-Portal, simply login e-Portal and under "My Pipeline" click the "AIMS" hyperlink on the left-hand side column.
Facilities Booking	Facilities booking include a number of online systems which you can access through the e-Portal. After you've logged on the e-Portal, click the "School Services" tab at the top navigation bar and you will find your desired facilities booking system such as the "Sports Facilities Booking System" for booking sports facilities and the "CSC Teaching Studio Booking System" for reserving a terminal room in the CSC Student Terminal Area. Please note that only students are allowed to use the "CSC Mobile Computer Service/Student Terminal Booking" systems.
WebCT	WebCT (Web Course Tools) is an integrated set of tools for developing and delivering interactive courses or course components over the Web. WebCT is easy to use and it does not require the users to install any special software. All you need is just a standard browser (Internet Explorer, version 6 or above). At CityU, WebCT basically help you to: provide username/password protection to a course on the Internet. put up and distribute course materials. communicate with the student in your course, with the tools such as local email, bulletin board, etc. provide online quiz and survey. To access your WebCT courses via e-Portal, simply login e-Portal and click "My Courses" tab at the top navigation bar. Next, click "myWebCT" hyperlink on the left-hand side column. For more information, please visit http://www.cityu.edu.hk/esu/itedu/webct_about.htm