Red Plates
Introduction
Most computers on the university network are owned by the university and are identified by an asset number on a "Blue Plate" sticker. Students and Staff wishing to use their own personal computer to access university network on campus should do so via a wireless connection. See the Getting Connected web site for more information on configuring your computer to access the UniSA Wireless Network.
In special circumstances there may be a need to approve the connection of some non UniSA owned computers to the wired network, subject to the conditions below. Under these circumstances ISTS may issue a "Red Plate" sticker to indicate that the computer is approved for connection to the wired network.
OHS&W considerations must be taken into account when applying for a Red Plate. In particular, if a privately owned computer system is used instead of a University owned computer the private system needs to be electrically tested and tagged as per Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760:2003 (as amended from time to time).
"Red Plate" Policy
For a device to be issued a Red Plate you need to read and agree to the following policy:
- The owner of the computer must ensure that it has an up-to-date operating system with current security patches.
- The owner must ensure that the computer has current anti-virus software with auto-updating to keep it current.
- The owner must ensure that the operating system and anti-virus software are kept up-to-date for as long as the computer is connected to the UniSA network
- A senior member of staff (eg Head of School, Division Manager, Unit/Division IT Manager) must authorise the need for the computer for UniSA work.
- The applicable (Unit/Division etc) IT support staff must verify the appropriateness of the computer for the required work and compliance with the above security requirements.
- The computer will be issued with a "Red Plate" sticker and the appropriate IP address(es)
- The allocation of a network address may be withdrawn anytime if problems occur with its use on the UniSA network (eg failure to keep security patches and antivirus software up to date)
- Authorisation for connection to the UniSA network does not imply a commitment by ISTS or local IT support staff to provide support for the computer
Process
To apply for a "Red Plate" you first need to understand and agree to the above "Red Plate" policy as well as the "Acceptable use of Information Technology (IT) facilities" policy. Then you need to download and complete in full a "Red Plate Application Form" and send it to the IT Help Desk.
Once your application has been approved you will be notified by email, your Red Plate sticker will be mailed to your Local IT Support team and an IP will be issued. Your Local IT Support team will then place the Red Plate sticker onto your hardware in a prominent place, where it must remain while it is connected to the University wired network.
Please notify by email or return the Red Plate to the IT Help Desk when connection to the university network is no longer required.
Application Form
Download a "Red Plate Application Form"
Resources
Security Patches
Systems with a Red Plate must have appropriate security patches and
service packs applied and kept up to date. This can be configured
to automatically occur by
- Go to the Start Button, right click My Computer and select Properties
- Select the Automatic Updates Tab.
- Select the Automatic button and set the Automatic download to Every Day at 9:00am.
AntiVirus Software
Systems with a Red Plate must also have a current Antivirus program
installed and set to auto update virus definitions. If you
don't have a current AntiVirus program on the Red Plated machine the
University has a site license for Symantec Antivirus (SAV). This can be
installed on a Red Plated system where the owner is a UniSA staff member
or a student.
Important: Any University site licensed software must be removed from a system with a Red Plate once it is no longer in use for University work purposes.