Category Archives: News

MAINTENANCE (2024/12/22)

2024/12/22 (SUN) 10:00 – 20:00

1. Web servers, CGI servers
– Suspended for a few minutes between 10:00 and 18:00.

2. License management
– Between 10:00 and 18:00, unavailable for approximately 30 minutes.

– The License Management Server will be suspended; therefore the applications below cannot be used:

ArcGIS Desktop
Mathematica
MATLAB
SPSS
FICO Xpress
VectorWorks

Note:
Regarding the campus site license, the following applications installed on computers not belonging to the Zengaku Computer System will also be unavailable during this time:
SPSS, ArcGIS, Mathematica (Comprehensive Program) and Vectorworks.

3. Printers
– Between 10:00 and 18:00, unavailable for approximately 30 minutes.

4. Remote servers (Windows : view-con00, Linux : icho01, icho02, kiri)
– Unavailable between 10:00 and 20:00.
Note:
Services will be resumed in the order in which maintenance work is completed.
If you are using a remote desktop when the maintenance starts, a pop-up message will appear; please log off from there.
(Please be aware that the system will log you off automatically in 10 minutes.)

Responses during Summer Holidays

The Academic Computing and Communications Center will be closed from 8/10 (Sat) to 8/18 (Sun) and will not be in operation.

During this time, the Zengaku Computer System will be operational in principle, but the use of each satellite will be based on the opening policy of each building.

There will be maintenance work on the network system on 8/12 (Mon), so the Zengaku Computer System will also be unavailable during that time in principle.

Please see below for details.
End of Publication : ACCC Services during University Closure Period (August 13 – 16, 2024)

PuTTY Vulnerability Alert

A vulnerability has been discovered in older versions of the SSH client PuTTY.
Users who are using or have generated keys using versions from PuTTY 0.68 (released on February 21, 2017) to PuTTY 0.80 (released on December 18, 2023) should update their PuTTY to the latest version (currently 0.81) and regenerate keys using the latest version of PuTTY or another tool.
Software that uses PuTTY, such as WinSCP, may also be affected and should be updated appropriately.

For more information on the vulnerability, please see the following web pages.

PuTTY vulnerability vuln-p521-bias
https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/wishlist/vuln-p521-bias.html

CVE-2024-31497
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-31497

(provisionally supported) Regarding email accounts for March 2024 graduates (update 2024/4/12)

(Updated 4/12/2024, 16:30)
Due to a system malfunction, the email accounts of those graduating at the end of the 2023 academic year were locked. We were worked on a temporary solution. Accounts will be made available in due course.

As this is a temporary solution, only email will be available from 2024/04/20 onwards.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.


Due to a system malfunction, the email accounts of those graduating at the end of the 2023 academic year were locked. We are currently working on a temporary solution.
Sorry, please wait until it is available.

As this is a temporary solution, only email will be available from 2024/04/20 onwards.

E-Learning Course “INFOSS Information Ethics”

To Students,

The University of Tsukuba has introduced self-instructive e-learning course “INFOSS Information Ethics” as part of information security education. This e-learning course provides students with knowledge and manners related to information and communication technology so that they will not cause a problem or will not be victimized in this information society. Undergraduates will be prompted to take the course in common fundamental subject course “Information Literacy”, and students with other statuses should take it as well voluntarily.

For more information about “INFOSS”, visit the following website:
INFOSS Information Ethics Course’ e-Learning Course

Installation of Anti-Virus Software on Your PC

Recently, incidents such as information leakage caused by malware infection has been occurring.
If you own a PC, you must have anti-virus software installed.
In our university, we distribute a brochure “Safe and Secure Use of the Information Systems”. We also distribute anti-virus software available for your PC. Please refer the pages below.

* Safe and Secure Use of the Information Systems

* Trend Micro Antivirus Software Site License Offer

 

Attention on use of Dropbox etc. on the Zengaku Computer System

Users can install and use online storage client software such as Dropbox. It is useful, but there are some points that you should be careful. Please use it at your own risk.

  1. Be careful for the capacity difference between the online storage and your home area of the Zengaku Computer System. When data on online storage are synchronized with your home area of the Zengaku Computer System, the usage may reach the upper limit without noticing it, and causes trouble such as losing your files.
  2. For the reason described above, we recommend that you do not use it synchronously on the Zengaku Computer System but only upload and download through a browser. If you want to synchronize, please set the online storage client software carefully so that there is no problem. Especially make sure of folders to be synchronized.
  3. ACCC will not deal with troubles related to online storage client software installed individually. Please use it at your own risk.

Warning: Do not use outlet in satellite computer rooms

There were smoke emission and ignition accidents of personal devices plugged into electrical outlets in satellite computer rooms. Except for permitted devices such as satellite terminals and projectors, do not use power taps and outlets in computer rooms.

Do not remove connected plugs without permission, because removing them causes to interfere with classes and maintenance works.

On Measure against Account Abuse

Recently, yet more news articles report damage caused by phishing or account hijack. In fact, also here in our university, we receive reports about such damage caused by account abuse. We’d like our users to be very careful about managing accounts.

As an emergency action against incidents such as supposedly abnormal transmission of mail messages, we may temporally lock user’s account without notifying the owner of the account. Under such circumstances, we will interview the user for more information.

We ask for your kind understanding and cooperation.

Regarding the termination of MATLAB on the Zengaku Computer System

The Campus-Wide License contract for MATLAB installed on the Zengaku Computer System will end in March 2024.
As a result, MATLAB will no longer be available on the Zengaku Computer System after April 2024.
However, MATLAB can still be used in the terminal rooms of the College of Policy and Planning Sciences and the College of Engineering Systems, wh ions Center does not plan to install or support MATLAB.

To @u.tsukuba.ac.jp E-Mail Address (Zengaku Computer System) Users Leaving University of Tsukuba

You will no longer be able to use the @u address at the Zengaku Computer System after retirement.
If you continue to be a member of the University after retirement, you can continue to use the @u address by applying for the use of the @u address.
For more information, please refer to the following information.

1. If you do not remain as a member of the university after resignation or retirement

  1. When you are no longer a member of the University, you will not be able to use the @u address and you will not be able to read your email.
    It is possible to forward emails for at least 10 days after retirement by setting the forwarding process received at the @u address to your personal email addresses before retirement.

    Please refer to the following page for how to set up forward for @u addresses.
    ■Mail forwarding setup for @u

    Please refer to the following page for how to move the emails in your INBOX.
    ■How to move your email data to another location

  2. You can use the Lifelong Email Service (@alumni.tsukuba.ac.jp) provided by the University of Tsukuba.
    This service is a free e-mail address that can be used by people related to the university, such as graduates, current students, former faculty members, and faculty members.
    This mail service can be used even if you are no longer a member, so it can be used as a forwarding address for @u address mail.

    For more information about the University of Tsukuba Lifelong Email Service, please refer to the following page.
    ■Alumni Tsukuba Mail address (in Japanese)
    ※Operated by University of Tsukuba Supporters Community(Office of Development)

2. If you continue to be a member of the university as a professor emeritus or another position after resignation or retirement.

You can continue to use the @u address by applying after the Professor Emeritus Awards Ceremony or after your new employment has started.
However, it will take a couple of days to process the application.


Your account to date will remain for at least 10 days from the date of resignation. After that time, various data including emails will be deleted.
Emails that you have received with the @u address will be retained.
Also, emails sent to the @u address will be received while the application is being processed.

  1. Those who will become Professor Emeritus

    Please submit an application within 30 days after the Professor Emeritus Awards Ceremony. Otherwise, please apply at [2. Those who are Professor Emeritus] below.
    If you wish to continue using the @u address, please apply for the continuous use of the Zengaku Computer System within 30 days after the Awards Ceremony.
    Please obtain the application form for “Professor Emeritus” from the following URL, fill in the necessary information, and bring it or send it by mail or Fax to the ACCC with a copy of your driver's license or other identification.
    If you would like to apply online, please do not attach the file to the email and contact us first at the bottom of this page.

    ■全学計算機システム<継続>利用承認申請書(名誉教授用)(Application form of Zengaku Computer System for Professor Emeritus <Continued>) – PDF 版 –

    ■全学計算機システム<継続>利用承認申請書(名誉教授用)((Application form of Zengaku Computer System for Professor Emeritus <Continued>) – Word 版 –

  2. Those who are Professor Emeritus

    If you wish to use the @u address, please apply for the use of the Zengaku Computer System.
    Please obtain the application form for “Professor Emeritus” from the following URL, fill in the necessary information, and bring it or send it by mail or Fax to the ACCC with a copy of your driver's license or other identification.
    If you would like to apply online, please do not attach the file to the email and contact us first at the bottom of this page.

    ■全学計算機システム利用承認申請書(名誉教授用)(Application form of Zengaku Computer System for Professor Emeritus) – PDF 版 –

    ■全学計算機システム利用承認申請書(名誉教授用)(Application form of Zengaku Computer System for Professor Emeritus) – Word 版 –

  3. Those who will become Lecturer (Non-Full-Time), Specially Appointed Professor, Visiting Associate Professor, and Researcher (Non-Full-Time)

    If you wish to continue using the @u address, please apply for the use of the system to the ACCC as soon as possible after your new employment has started.
    Please obtain the “Application Form” from the following URL and submit it with a copy of your ID issued by the university (such as a notice of employment, Staff ID, etc.). Application forms are also available at the Academic Service Office.
    If you would like to apply online, please do not attach the file to the email and contact us first at the bottom of this page.

    ■学術情報メディアセンター システム利用申請書(Application form of ACCC Computer Account) – PDF 版 –

    ■学術情報メディアセンター システム利用申請書(Application form of ACCC Computer Account) – Excel 版 –

  4. Those other than the above

    For those other than the above, if you have any questions or confirmations regarding the @u address, please contact us at the following address

< CONTACT >

Academic Computing & Communications Center Office

Operation Schedule of Zengaku Computer System during the New Year’s holiday

Zengaku Computer system will be operated during the new year’s holiday.

  • Use of terminal PC in satellite room and the libraryFor details on entering and exiting each satellite room and the library, please follow the notices posted in each satellite room and the library.
  • Closing period of Academic Computing & Communications Center
    ACCC office will be closed from Friday, December 29, 2023 until Thursday, January 4, 2024.
  • Support
    Problems and inquiries that may occur during the period will be addressed from Friday, January 5, 2024.

MAINTENANCE (2023/12/24)

2023/12/24 (SUN) 10:00 – 20:00

1. Web servers, CGI servers
– Suspended for a few minutes between 10:00 and 18:00.

2. License management
– Between 10:00 and 18:00, unavailable for approximately 30 minutes.

– The License Management Server will be suspended; therefore the applications below cannot be used:

ArcGIS Desktop
Mathematica
MATLAB
SPSS
FICO Xpress
VectorWorks

Note:
Regarding the campus site license, the following applications installed on computers not belonging to the Zengaku Computer System will also be unavailable during this time:
SPSS, ArcGIS, Mathematica (Comprehensive Program) and Vectorworks.

3. Printers
– Between 10:00 and 18:00, unavailable for approximately 30 minutes.

4. Remote servers (Windows : view-con00, Linux : icho01, icho02, kiri)
– Unavailable between 10:00 and 20:00.
Note:
Services will be resumed in the order in which maintenance work is completed.
If you are using a remote desktop when the maintenance starts, a pop-up message will appear; please log off from there.
(Please be aware that the system will log you off automatically in 10 minutes.)

How to resolve the problem when authenticating Microsoft Office products on a satellite device (Update 10/16)

A problem has been observed when launching Microsoft Office products on satellite terminals.
Please check the following links for solutions to the problems that have occurred.

Office product does not start / A dialog box appears and “Error code 80090016” is displayed.

Solution
  1. Open [Start] – [Settings] – [Accounts] – [Access to work or school].
  2. Click [Disconnect] when the connected accounts are displayed.
  3. Two confirmation dialogs will appear in succession. Click [Yes] on the first dialog and [Disconnect] on the second dialog.
    When asked to restart, do so.
  4. After completing the above, start the Microsoft Office product again and enter your @u email address and password when the dialog box appears.

This trouble may also occur when you use a satellite device with an account that you signed in to without following the settings below when signing in at the time of Office product startup on your PC.
This procedure is different from the setting when using Office products on a satellite device. Please be careful.

The following is a reference to an image posted on the A.C.C.C. Web.

If the above does not resolve the issue, please try this as well.

When starting up Office products, a screen asking for a code number for multi-factor authentication appears even though I do not remember setting up multi-factor authentication, and you cannot proceed.

Solution

You need to initialize multifactor authentication with administrator privileges.
Please send an e-mail to the address listed under “Other General” in the “Inquiries” section, or contact the Academic Center for Computing and Media Studies.

The screen goes blank at the authentication operation and does not proceed.

When launching Microsoft Office applications on Windows Remote Desktop or Satellite Terminal of The Zengaku Computer System, the screen may go blank at the authentication process and you may not be able to proceed. In some cases, you may be asked to perform the same authentication operation several times.

Solution

You can improve the situation by disabling the multi-factor authentication setting at the following site.

Academic Computing Communications Center,University of Tsukuba
Cloud mail service authentication setting system (Microsoft 365)
https://m365setting.u.tsukuba.ac.jp/

Even if the authentication appears to be disabled on the screen, the authentication behavior may be improved by enabling it once and then disabling it again.

Alternatively, the error no longer occurs when the multi-factor authentication settings are completed to the end.

To reproduce the problem

The problem was reproduced when Office was started with the multi-factor authentication setting halfway completed.
If multi-factor authentication is enabled and the associated authentication application or phone settings are not completed, the authentication screen of the Office app version will go blank or an error message will appear.

Solution #3 added on 7/28

A new solution has been found and added to the FAQ. “Change account settings” in Windows.
Please see below for details.
Microsoft Product Authentication Failures on Terminals and Remote Access Service Solution #3

If the problem persists

If the above does not solve the problem, please also try the solution #2 in the FAQ below.
Microsoft Product Authentication Failures on Terminals and Remote Access Service