.. vim: syntax=rst

.. include:: ../global.rst
.. _faq-general:

=================
General Questions
=================

What is the best way to get help?
=================================

The easiest way is to email a request to `RT`_. 

Can I have root privileges so that I can install a program?
===========================================================

No. If you want root privileges on your machine, we can only grant them
if we remove your ability to access your Oden Institute home directory or use our
network services on that machine. Such a personal machine will be given
a dynamic IP address on a sequestered network. Giving administrative
privileges on departmentally-integrated machines is too large of a
security risk. Anyone with administrative access would be able to
trivially read *your* email and files).

So I can't install anything at all?
===================================

Of course you can. You are free to install anything you want to the
filesystem locations you have write access to. Since network filesystems
are quota-enforced, we provide a /workspace partition; this is a fast,
reasonably large storage resource on your workstation's internal hard
drive.

I can't connect to anything, the network is down
================================================

If your machine is a desktop and has more than one Ethernet interface,
make sure the ethernet cable is plugged into eth0. If you are using a
notebook, make sure you are using the correct wall jack labeled
"notebook". If you are trying to use wireless, please make sure that you
have an ITS PNA account. Contact Sysnet if you are unsure.

How do I access licensed software from off-campus?
==================================================

Download and install the `VPN`_ software (requires login to wikis)
available through `ITS`_ and log into the UT network. 

How do I access the VPN using Linux?
====================================
* :ref:`Linux VPN <linux-laptops>`