Welcome to the Software Directorate

Contents:

Welcome! The goal of this page is to give you a brief overview of the Software Directorate, including various links for more information on specific topics.

Information relating to Human Resources may be found at the Human Resources Home wiki.

Key points of contact throughout the center on here: NCSA Help

You should also be aware of the Professional Development program: https://internal.ncsa.illinois.edu/mis/api/fileCenter.php?file_id=7534

Finally, there is also a fund of $100 annually for professional memberships related to your work. Ask your manager about this if you would like to learn more.

Learn More about the Software Directorate (SD)

NCSA Software - a wiki overview of the directorate.

Software - our page on the NCSA website

Within SD, there are 5 groups:

• Research Software Applications and Learning Technologies (ReSALT)
• Software Applications and Data Laboratory (SADL)
• Software Design, Delivery and Deployment (SD3)
• Tools for Research Institutions and Infrastructure (TRI)
• Visual Analytics (VA)
• UI/UX Design

Each new hire joins a specific group for management purposes, but you may work on projects in other areas based on your skills and what our current activities are.

IT

Your manager will work with HR and IT to ensure you have the equipment you need to work. Based on this, you will be provided equipment that has been set up by IT. Contact us if you have specific requests or needs that we may be able to help with. 

The email for general IT requests is help@ncsa.illinois.edu.

Printer Setup

• For full instructions see the NCSA Wiki: Printing
  • MacOS Printing
  • Windows Printing

Linux users may find the Linux workstation guide for NCSA employees useful.

Virtual Workspaces and Resources

We use various virtual workspaces to work together as a team. These include Slack, Zoom, Google Drive, Box, and more. Below, please find some information on getting started with these.

• Slack 
  
  • Sign up for the NCSA Slack at  https://ncsa-at-illinois.slack.com/signup with your illinois.edu email address
  • Once you have signed up, check in with your manager and Katie Naum to be added to any channels you need as part of your work.
  • Specific projects you may be assigned to (eg Clowder, Great Lakes to Gulf, etc) may have their own separate Slacks - contact your manager to confirm whether this is the case and to be added
• Zoom 
  • Download Zoom for desktop at https://zoom.us/download
  • Getting started -  https://answers.uillinois.edu/illinois/96712
• Google Apps - https://help.uillinois.edu/TDClient/42/UIUC/Requests/ServiceDet?ID=135
• Box - https://box.illinois.edu
• Opensource - create an account here: https://identity.ncsa.illinois.edu
• Welcome to NCSA, covering various common setup questions
• More technical tools:
  • Development IDE and tools: JetBrains Toolbox:  https://www.jetbrains.com/toolbox/app/
    • Work with your team lead/ Rob Kooper for license
  • Bitbucket - GitHub, ZenHub, or appropriate repository
  • Team Cloud access - Nebula, AWS, GCE, etc
• Staff Directory
  • Update your staff directory profile here! https://internal.ncsa.illinois.edu/mis/user/#/page/profile
• You can request LastPass by emailing help+security@ncsa.illinois.edu

Meetings

As with virtual workspaces, your supervisor should make you aware of any meetings you need to attend. Coordinate with them and/or Lisa Yanello to ensure you are invited and have the appropriate dial-in information.

Report Time Off

1. To request time off, confirm with your manager
2. Once approved, update your personal calendar (Outlook) and the directorate calendar (link)
3. Email sd@lists.ncsa.illinois.edu to notify the directorate of the dates of your upcoming time off. Include "OOO" in your subject line. This way, people are aware of your upcoming time off.
4. At the end of the pay period, report any vacation or sick leave(link). Biweekly staff/Academic Hourly must turn in biweekly timesheets (link). Also remember to enter your time in Positive Time Reporting (PTR), as required by the state. (link)
5. Enjoy!

Tutorials

Here is a list of tutorials on various services that different members of SD use.

• Research Software Engineering Training Material:

  • https://intersect-training.github.io/training-links/

• Atlassian Basics
  • Confluence - https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/tutorial-navigate-confluence-251005338.html
  • JIRA - https://confluence.atlassian.com/jira064/jira-101-720412861.html
  • Bitbucket - https://confluence.atlassian.com/bitbucket/bitbucket-tutorials-teams-in-space-training-ground-755338051.html
• Git Basics: https://try.github.io/levels/1/challenges/1
• Git Branching: 
  • https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/comparing-workflows/gitflow-workflow
  • https://learngitbranching.js.org/
• Docker: https://docs.docker.com/get-started/
• Kubernetes: https://kubernetes.io/docs/tutorials/kubernetes-basics/cluster-interactive/
• React: http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com.proxy2.library.illinois.edu/book/programming/9781491954614
• Python: https://realpython.com/

• Watch tutorial videos: http://ssa.ncsa.illinois.edu/isda/outreach/education-training-and-outreach/

Archive

Everything below this point is left over from the previous version of this document, and has not yet been integrated. Some of this information may be helpful to you!

• Overview of some of our projects
  
  • Projects: http://www.ncsa.illinois.edu/enabling/software and Software and Services

  • Reading: ISDA Flyer, ISDA Group Information, Staff Information, Current Projects, Active Software

  • Overview of Technical Processes and current topics: Software Technology Working Group

Setting Up Your Computer

Please make sure your name is added to the Equipment list - and your computer information is recorded: Equipment

• note as of June 2021 - this does not appear to be actively maintained - KN

Make sure the following programs are loaded:

• Getting Started - Instructions for Installation of: GettingStartedGuide-computer_setup.pdf
  
  • Microsoft Office – including Skype for Business
  • Crash Plan - should be on your device when you receive it
• Internet and Network Access is configured based on your University ID
  • https://wiki.ncsa.illinois.edu/display/HELP/Getting+Started+at+NCSA+Home
  • General Network Information

  • Accounts at NCSA:

    • Kerberos
    • Your Windows Login
    • University Accounts

  • Connecting to IllinoisNet or NCSANet Wireless SSIDs

    If you need wireless access:

    • For access to NCSA project resources, networking devices and printers you need to be connected to NCSANet

    • For ease of roaming around campus you should connect to the campus-provided IllinoisNet. 

    • To get this setup follow the university instructions.
      Anyone in the Desktop Support Team can also assist you with connecting to the network.  To use this network you will need to know your University of Illinois NetID and Password.

  • Wired Access
    • Up to (3) 10/100/1000Mbps PoE ports per user for office systems. Default is only (1) - Network ports activated by request - email help+its@ncsa.illinois.edu
    • If your machine requires a USB ethernet connector/dongle you will need a driver for it to work: http://www.asix.com.tw/products.php?op=pItemdetail&PItemID=131;71;112

Login Accounts and what they work for:

ncsa vpn ==  ncsa password (kerberos/internal)

ncsanet == illinois password (is managed by illinois)

illinoisnet == illinois password

• NESSIE - https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/cf/sitelogin.cfm
• To sign the Security Document Agreement from the HR training document:
  • https://internal.ncsa.illinois.edu/mis/securitydoc/
• To sign the Building Emergency Action Plan from the HR document:
  • https://internal.ncsa.illinois.edu/mis/agreement/index.php