About Lamont IT Services

LDEO IT delivers critical infrastructure, computing support, and research computing services to the Lamont community. Our services are categorized into three tiers:

  1. Core Infrastructure & Campus Services – Covers essential infrastructure that enables research, administration, and collaboration across the campus.
  2. User Support & Administrative IT Services – Covers comprehensive support for day-to-day computing needs, including troubleshooting, software configuration, and user assistance with desktops, laptops, printers, and scanners.
  3. Specialized & Research IT Services – We provide the initial system and data storage specifications, setup, and consultation services, including basic configuration. Ongoing management, advanced configurations, and custom solutions are provided on a cost-recovery basis, subject to resource availability. For cost estimates and service arrangements, please contact Mahdad Parsi.

1. Core Infrastructure & Campus Services 

LDEO IT provides essential infrastructure that enables research, administration, and collaboration across the campus. This includes the management of networking services (LAN, WAN, wireless), identity and access management (authentication, single sign-on), and core storage solutions. LDEO IT ensures reliable and secure access to campus resources, supporting both everyday operations and high-performance research needs. These services are covered by ICR, ensuring foundational support for all institutional activities.

Networking & Connectivity

  • Edge security and firewall management
  • Campus-wide local area networking (LAN) and external wide area networking (WAN)
  • Wireless network deployment and management
  • Virtual Private Network (VPN) services – Secure remote access to the Lamont campus network for off-site users
  • Domain Name System (DNS) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) services
  • Network Time Protocol (NTP) synchronization services

Identity & Access Management (IAM)

  • Centralized user authentication & management (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol - LDAP)
  • Single Sign-On (SSO) services (Shibboleth)
  • Email identity management (LDEO Google Workspace)

Core Storage & Data Transfer

  • Home directory and shared storage management
  • Globus for high-speed research data transfer
  • File Transfer Protocol (FTP) services
  • Backup and Restore Services – Data Domain/Avamar backup for servers, providing reliable, scalable, and secure server backup solutions with fast recovery times.
  • Collaboration with CUIT for Box Cloud Storage – Box cloud storage solutions are provided through CUIT’s institutional contract, offering scalable and secure cloud storage for all Lamont users.

Software Licensing & Management

  • Site license management (e.g., MATLAB, ESRI GIS, and other licensed software)
  • License server administration using FlexLM

Virtualized Infrastructure Management

  • VMware vSphere Cluster Management – LDEO IT manages a stretched VMware vSphere virtualization cluster that hosts critical virtual machines (VMs) for core infrastructure services such as LDAP, DNS, DHCP, Shibboleth, and others. This virtualized environment provides high availability, load balancing, and scalability, ensuring that core services are resilient, flexible, and optimized for both administrative and research needs.

2. User Support & Administrative IT Services 

LDEO IT provides comprehensive support for day-to-day computing needs, including troubleshooting, software configuration, and user assistance. Services include setup and management of productivity tools like email, Google Workspace, and collaboration platforms, as well as support for hardware, operating systems, and general IT queries. Training and guidance are also available for users to maximize their use of institutional technologies. These services are covered by ICR for LDEO users, ensuring efficient and reliable support for all administrative and academic activities.

IT Helpdesk & Endpoint Management

  • User support and troubleshooting (Help Desk)
  • Endpoint configuration & maintenance (desktops, laptops, and Linux servers)
  • Initial hardware failure diagnosis
  • Modern operating system installation and configuration (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Collaboration & Productivity Tools

  • Google Workspace support (Gmail, Docs, Calendar)
  • Configuration support for productivity tools (MS Office, Adobe, web browsers)
  • Cloud Storage & File Sharing Support (Google Drive, Box, Dropbox)
  • Collaboration with CUIT for VoIP Phones – Voice over IP (VoIP) phone services provided through CUIT’s centralized VoIP solution, supporting cost-effective and scalable communication across Lamont.

Security & Anti-malware Services

  • Collaboration with CUIT for Malwarebytes – Lamont campus workstations and servers are protected by CUIT’s contract with Malwarebytes, ensuring comprehensive protection against malware, ransomware, and other security threats.

Event & A/V Support

  • Directorate Approved Event Production & Management – Technical setup and operation for in-person conferences, symposiums, and large-scale events in the Monell Auditorium (Some costs may be associated with it).
  • Hybrid & Virtual Meeting Support – Configuration and troubleshooting for multi-way interactive meetings, webinars, and remote collaboration using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other platforms.
  • Lecture Capture & On-Demand Content Creation – High-quality recording, post-production editing, and content distribution for seminars, guest lectures, and instructional sessions.
  • Streaming & Broadcast Services – Real-time streaming for conferences, panel discussions, and public events via Zoom Webinar, or other streaming platforms.
  • AV Systems Design & Integration – Consultation on optimizing conference room technology, microphone and speaker setup, and video projection systems for academic and research spaces.
  • Large-Format Printing Services – 60-inch plotter and large-scale poster printing for scientific conferences and meetings, ensuring high-quality print materials for presentations and events

Backup & Data Protection

  • Grant proposal IT budgeting assistance (pre- and post-award)

Research Administration Support

  • Creation and management of custom forms for annual performance reviews, postdoc evaluations, and summer intern applications
  • Grant proposal IT budgeting assistance (pre- and post-award)

3. Specialized & Research IT Services (Available on a cost-recovery basis)

For research groups requiring advanced computing, storage, and security services, LDEO IT offers tailored solutions, including computing resources, scalable storage options, and enhanced data protection. These services are designed to support complex, data-intensive research and are available on a cost-recovery basis, subject to resource availability. 

Advanced Research Computing & Data Management

  • High-performance and cloud computing integration
  • Custom system integration services
  • Research data storage solutions
  • Database setup and management

Advanced Endpoint & Server Services

  • Backup and restore solutions (desktops, laptops, servers)
  • Hardware maintenance for desktops/laptops
  • Log management and security monitoring

Software & Licensing Support

  • Specialized software license purchases & installations
  • Operating system purchases & support (VMware, RedHat, other licensed OS)