# Computer Management & Storage

Helpful pages about how to manage, backup, and store data on your device. Also information about checking your computers performance.

# Computer Setup & Data Management

**Below are the steps you should take to purchase, setup, and manage a new workstation.**

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### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Purchasing Computers &amp; Hardware:</span>

When purchasing any computer hardware with SJSU, SJSURF, or Lab-specific funds, we recommend contacting the IT Group by submitting an [IT Helpdesk Ticket](https://helpdesk.mlml.calstate.edu), so IT can help you find the best hardware to fit your specific needs.

#### **Recommended Configurations**

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Browse the workstation configurations available and recommended by IT through the SJSU Workstation Refresh program.</span>

- - <span style="font-weight: 400;">[Workstation Refresh (No-Cost)](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/computer-hardware-upgrade-managment/page/workstation-refresh-%28no-cost%29)</span>
    - [<span style="font-weight: 400;">Workstation Refresh (Discounted)</span>](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/computer-hardware-upgrade-managment/page/workstation-refresh-%28discounted%29)

####  

#### **High Performance Configurations**

- - If you or your lab has a need for a high performance machine for a specific purpose, please contact IT by submitting an [IT Helpdesk Ticket](https://helpdesk.mlml.calstate.edu). The IT Group will work with you to decide what hardware will best suit your needs, whether it is a High Performance Desktop Workstation, a Virtual Machine in the on-premise environment, or a Cloud Compute Instance.

####  

#### **Storage Devices**

- - ##### <span style="font-weight: 400;">External Hard Drive</span>
        
        
        - <span style="font-weight: 400;">For backing up your workstation, IT recommends a portable external hard drive. Below are a few recommended drives.</span>
            
            
            - [<span style="font-weight: 400;">Seagate Backup Plus Slim</span>](https://www.seagate.com/consumer/backup/backup-plus/)
            - [<span style="font-weight: 400;">Western Digital My Passport</span>](https://www.wd.com/products/portable-storage/my-passport.html)
    - ##### <span style="font-weight: 400;">Network Attached Storage (NAS)</span>
        
        
        - <span style="font-weight: 400;">For lab environments, where you may have lots of data that needs to be shared between many workstations, IT recommends purchasing a NAS. These are physical data storage servers, connected to the network, that allow you to keep your lab data in a centralized location and are accessible by whomever you give access.</span>
        - <span style="font-weight: 400;">Be aware that any lab wanting to purchase a NAS must do so with their own funds.</span>
        - <span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are thinking of purchasing a NAS for your lab, please submit an [IT Helpdesk Ticket](https://helpdesk.mlml.calstate.edu/). The IT Group will advise and assist in the process of planning, purchasing hardware, and getting the NAS setup for use.</span>

####  

#### [**Hardware Upgrades**](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/computer-hardware-storage/page/hardware-upgrades)

- - In some cases, a slow workstation's performance can be improved by an increase in memory or replacing a hard drive with a solid-state drive. If you are thinking about a hardware upgrade for your workstation, please submit an<span style="font-weight: 400;"> [IT Helpdesk Ticket](https://helpdesk.mlml.calstate.edu/)</span>. For more information, see the [Hardware Upgrades page](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/computer-hardware-storage/page/hardware-upgrades).

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### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Operating System (OS) &amp; Software Configuration:</span>

#### [**Operating Systems and Updates**](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/recommended-operating-systems)

- - Install the latest operating system compatible with your device and perform regular updates to keep it running quickly and efficiently. For more information, visit the [Recommended Operating Systems page](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/recommended-operating-systems).

- -

####  **Software Installation**

*To see what services and technologies you have access to at MLML, check out our [Service Level Agreements](https://mlml.sjsu.edu/itech/service-level-agreements/).*

- - <span style="font-weight: 400;">Basic software recommendations include: [Microsoft Office](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/request-microsoft-office-2016-for-state-owned-computers), [Adobe CC](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/adobe-creative-cloud-software-information), and [Google Chrome](https://www.google.com/chrome/)</span>
    - <span style="font-weight: 400;">To learn about all software available through MLML and other recommended software visit our </span>[<span style="font-weight: 400;">Software Page</span>](https://mlml.sjsu.edu/itech/software/)
    - <span style="font-weight: 400;">Software Installation Procedures can be found on our </span>[<span style="font-weight: 400;">Knowledge Base</span>](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software)

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### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Security:</span>

All State-Owned computers will need to meet certain security requirements set by SJSU that IT will install (e.g., Spirion), but a password manager will also need to be setup by you and is required.

#### [**Password Management**](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/security-anti-malware/page/secure-password-storage-management)

- - Learn how to keep your passwords robust, safe, and securely stored please visit our [Password Storage &amp; Management Page](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/security-anti-malware/page/secure-password-storage-management).

#### [**Information Security**](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/security-anti-malware/page/information-security-overview)

- - IT **strongly** recommends thoroughly reading and implementing the advice on the [Information Security Overview](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/security-anti-malware/page/information-security-overview) to keep you and your data safe online.

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### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Data Management:</span>

#### [**Computer Backup**](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/computer-backup)

##### There are two methods you may use to backup a computer:

##### 1) [Backup User Files to Hard Drive](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/computer-backup)

- - - - Purchase an external hard drive to backup your workstation (recommended 1-2 TB)
            - <span style="font-weight: 400;">This hard drive should be dedicated for this purpose only</span>
            - <span style="font-weight: 400;">Setup the following backup programs available on your device to backup to your external hard drive:</span>
                1. <span style="font-weight: 400;">[Time Machine](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/link/46#bkmrk-macos%3A-time-machine) - Apple Mac</span>
                2. <span style="font-weight: 400;">[File History](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/link/46#bkmrk-windows-8-and-newer%3A) (or equivalent) - Windows PC</span>

##### 2) [Create a Disk Image](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/create-a-disk-image)

- - - - Imaging your computer's disk creates a replica of the contents on your computer
            - Using a differential setup creates one initial full image of your disk, then the proceeding images save only the content that has changed since the initial image

#### [**Storage Management**](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/computer-storage-management)

1. - <span style="font-weight: 400;">To keep your workstation working properly it is important to properly [manage the files and data](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/computer-storage-management) on the computer</span>
    - <span style="font-weight: 400;">Backups should be routinely scheduled - can automatically set this up in the backup computer settings (see Backup section above and follow link)</span>

#### [**File Migration**](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/computer-hardware-storage/page/how-to-migrate-files)

To successfully migrate folders and files from an old device to a new device, visit the [File Migration Page](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/computer-hardware-storage/page/how-to-migrate-files).

# Computer Performance

This is a copy of the [Computer Performance](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/page/computer-performance) page located in the [Software](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software) book under [Operating Systems](https://kb.mlml.sjsu.edu/books/software/chapter/operating-systems).

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