Acquiring Software

Frequently Asked Questions

Software Installation via SMS

In August 2007 IAIT will begin utilizing Microsoft's Systems Management Server (SMS) to distribute software to campus users. In addition to software distribution SMS offers update services, software installation based on required configurations and/or group membership, and asset management. The SMS client will be installed on all computers that are members of the Rose-Hulman Windows domain. Note that all computers installed or imaged by IAIT are added to the domain, so the only way a system would not be on the domain is if an individual intentionally removed it.

The first applications to be made available via SMS will be Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007, and Microsoft Office Sharepoint Designer 2007. This is the only method Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 and Microsoft Office Sharepoint Designer 2007 will be made available to Rose-Hulman owned systems and students' Institute-required laptop computer other than by having IAIT staff install the application. Personal and home use installation require the purchase of the Microsoft Office 2007 media from the Rose-Hulman Bookstore.

  • Click Start->Settings->Control Panel to open the Control Panel
  • Double-click on the Run Advertised Programs icon
  • The Run Advertised Programs dialog will open. If there are new programs available they will be listed in the What's New category. Note that this is the same dialog box opened when you double-click the SMS client notification shown in the System Tray. If no new applications are available a list of installed applications will be displayed along with the date, time and status of the last run of the installation programs.
  • Double-click an available application or select it and click Run to begin the installation process.
  • Follow the installation instructions for the application, if available, or respond appropriately to the prompts and instructions from the application's installer.

Software Installation via \\rose-hulman.edu\dfs\software

Most software for Rose-Hulman students, faculty, and staff is available on our software distribution server, Tibia. Access to the various software titles are controlled by ACLs (access control lists) based on the license agreement with the supplier.

If you are unable to find a piece of software that you feel you are licensed for, please check our Software License page. If you feel there is an error, please contact the IAIT Help Desk.

To connect to DFS Software click Start->Run, type \\rose-hulman.edu\dfs\software and click OK

Software on DFS is organized into several categories:

  • Common and Utility software is located in the public/Apps directory
  • Academic applications are located in the public/Course Software directory
  • Unsupported and freely available software is located in the public/Unsupported Apps directory
  • Some updates to Microsoft products such as Windows XP and Office are located in the public/Microsoft Updates directory
  • Current McAfee virus definitions are located in the public/mcafeeupdate directory
  • iPAQ related files are located in the public/Mobility directory

Instructions for installing most software can be found on the TSC website from the Software Documentation page. The Installation Instructions file in most directories will open instructions for that software. If there is no Installation Instructions file, check for a file titled readme.txt or instructions.txt. If you have questions or problems relating to installing any of the software on DFS Software, please contact the IAIT Help Desk.

Microsoft Windows XP is not available on DFS Software due to our license agreement. IAIT can install Windows XP on institute machines and laptops. If you wish to purchase a copy of the media, Windows XP can be purchased at the Bookstore.

Other Microsoft titles, including Office 2007 and Visual Studio .NET are also available for purchase from the Bookstore at a considerable discount.