Ithaca College

ITS is implementing a new Macintosh workstation management tool called Casper which will help ITS manage all college-owned Macs more efficiently. Casper is similar to the workstation management tools that have been in place for many years on campus Windows computers. Casper will be implemented in multiple stages:

Stage 1: Installation of the software on college Macs (we need your help; more below)

Stage 2: Configuration for two primary functions in the coming weeks:

• Casper Remote, which allows support staff to connect to your computer to provide remote assistance.
• Implementation of the new screen saver policy, which was recommended by external auditors and adopted by the college in May, 2014 (related article).
• Note that neither Casper Remote nor the screen saver policy will be implemented immediately upon installation of the software; each of these functions will be implemented and announced separately in the coming weeks.

Stage 3: Future configuration for self-service installation of software such Adobe and Microsoft products, inventory management, and other workstation management functions.

ITS needs the help of our faculty and staff to install Casper on campus Macs as efficiently as possible. We are asking Mac guardians to self-install the software on their own workstation(s) as well as other computers they are responsible for. The installation only takes a few minutes and the software should be installed on both desktop and laptop Macs. It can be installed from a campus wired connection or ICAirnet-Secure wireless, but not from ICAirnet wireless or off campus. The advantage of self-installation is that it can be installed at a time that is convenient for the guardian, rather than having to be interrupted by a technician to do the installation.

If you have a large number of machines assigned to you and would like installation assistance, please contact the ITS Helpdesk.

Note that if you received a technology renewal Mac beginning with the Fall 2014 cycle or after, Casper is already installed. To verify, go into System Preferences and look for an item called "Profiles" near the bottom of the window.

To install: Visit our Casper page for installation instructions and FAQs.

ITS Helpdesk
helpdesk@ithaca.edu
104 Job Hall
4-1000