Desktop and laptop setup and support

Desktop and a laptop computer

Mechanical and Mechatronics Information Technology (MME IT) offers support for computing hardware, including desktops, laptops, tablets and monitors to all faculty and staff. The benefits of buying products through IT is that we recommend computers, laptops, printers and monitors that fit the criteria below:

  1. Use of products that support climate action plan.
  2. Discounted pricing based on purchase volume agreements.
  3. Warranty with the Vendors.
  4. Operational compatibility with policies, standards and best practices, including security and privacy policies.
  5. Supported set of hardware and software configurations that are tested for use at MME.

In addition, for groups that receive desktop support, we also include the following services:

  1. Technical assistance with computer and tablet selection based on requirements.
  2. Configuration of software and operating system.
  3. Transfer data from old computers to new ones.
  4. Computer setup to be compliant with current University security policies.
  5. Regular updates to operating system and installed software to ensure systems are secure.
  6. Coordination of any warranty service needs.
  7. Disposal of older computer equipment. Your data is safe and disposal is environmentally friendly.

To align with the University of Waterloo's climate action to reduce its carbon footprint, MME IT is committed to offer hardware to the MME community that is energy efficient, space saving, and less impactful to the environment.

Research Teams

The MME I.T. team is here to help in any way we can. We ask that you involve us with your projects or initiatives from the beginning. We can point you in the right direction, provide advice and help get you started. We have a wide variety of vendors that we can bring in to help assist if the request requires.
Where larger support resources are needed, you may need to hire a dedicated resource to manage your I.T. needs, we would like to be involve in the hiring process to ensure you get value for your research dollars.

Table of Contents

  1. Computer Purchases
    1. Things to include
    2. Computer Setup
  2. Server Purchase
    1. Things to include
    2. Server Setup
      1. Windows Servers
      2. Linux Server
  3. Network Attached Storage Unit (NAS)
    1. Things to include
    2. NAS Setup
  4. Additional Costs

Computer Purchases

When looking for a new computer or a replacement system for a student please send us an RT ticket.

Things to include:

  • Is there a special purpose for the system – (high end GPU / CPU computations)
  • What operating system you need installed
  • Specific hardware needed – hard drive, video card, monitor etc.
  • What software do you want installed – MatLab research, Labview, etc.
  • Any additional peripherals needed

Computer Setup

  • Troubleshoot hardware problems and work with you on warranty replacements for parts
  • Install the latest operating system and ensure it is up to date with patches
  • Make security changes to the system to meet University and or External Company’s compliance
  • Install antivirus
  • With very few exceptions, all computers must go on the Nexus Domain
  • Install additional software such as Solidworks, MatLab, Coventorware, etc.
  • Keep an up to date inventory of each computer for the research group
  • Create a DNS entry for the system
  • Assign an IP address via DHCP using the network MAC address
  • Place on the proper network VLAN and activate the network port
  • Provide the end user with an account that will allow them to install apps or programs they require not covered by initial setup
  • MAC systems have extremely limited support

*** Data backup / Data management is not part of MME I.T support and is up to the student or research group to provide.


Server Purchases

When looking for a new server or a replacement system for a project please send us an RT ticket.

Things to include:

  • Who is the research point of contact for your group?
  • Is there a special purpose for the system – (high end GPU / CPU computations)
  • What operating system you need installed
  • Specific hardware needed – hard drive, video card, monitor etc.
  • What software are you looking to use?
  • Any additional peripherals needed

Server Setup

Windows Servers

  • Troubleshoot hardware problems and work with you on warranty replacements for parts
  • Install the latest operating system and ensure it is up to date with patches
  • Make security changes to the system to meet University and or External Company’s compliance
  • Install antivirus
  • With very few exceptions, all servers must go on the Nexus Domain
  • Keep an up to date inventory of each computer for the research group
  • Create a DNS entry for the system
  • Assign an IP address via DHCP using the network MAC address
  • Place on the proper network VLAN and activate the network port
  • Work with IST Security team when required
  • Provide the end user with an account that will allow them to install apps or programs they require not covered by initial setup

Linux Servers

  • Troubleshoot hardware problems and work with you on warranty replacements for parts
  • Install the latest operating system and ensure it is up to date with patches
  • Make security changes to the system to meet University and or External Company’s compliance
  • Keep an up to date inventory of each computer for the research group
  • Create a DNS entry for the system
  • Assign an IP address via DHCP using the network MAC address
  • Place on the proper network VLAN and activate the network port
  • Work with IST Security team when required
  • Provide the end user with an account that will allow them to install apps or programs they require not covered by initial setup

*** Windows / Linux Servers specific setup is up to the research team to have one person as their administrative I.T resource to configure dedicated programs such as HPC and or GPU clusters, library files for applications, programming code, server backup / storage, user account management, alert you when there are security vulnerabilities, but it will be up to your appointed research resource to ensure the patches are applied.

Network Attached Storage Units


When looking for a new server or a replacement system for a project please send us an RT ticket.

Things to include:

  • Who is the research point of contact for your group?
  • Is there a special purpose for the system – internal and or external access
  • A time to meet with you and your team to assess your requirements

NAS Setup

  • Provide quotes for various solutions
  • Setup the NAS on the U of Waterloo network
  • Install the latest patches and all is up to date
  • Make security changes to the system to meet University and or External Company’s compliance
  • Install the latest operating system and ensure it is up to date with patches
  • Make security changes to the system to meet University and or External Company’s compliance
  • Provide a designated group lead with an account that will allow them to manage the NAS, create users and folders
  • Provide web URL for system support documentation
  • Monitor system on a daily basis
  • Provide advice when requested

*** Data backup / Data management is not part of MME I.T support and is up to the student or research group designated resource. We strongly urge you to consider a secondary backup storage solution in case of a complete loss of data due to hardware or persons with malicious intent.

Additional Costs

Should it be determined that the MME I.T. team performs duties outside the scope of this document, the research group will be billed an hourly rate of $35.00 – $65.00 per hour.