Online Collaboration with Sakai
Sakai is a set of software tools designed to help instructors, researchers, and students create websites for collaboration. Using a web browser, users choose from a set of features to create a site that meets their needs.
Here are some examples of websites possible to create using Sakai software:
- A project director can create a website to make announcements and share resources, such as documents or links to other resources on the web.
- An instructor can create a website that serves as an online discussion board for students to collaborate on an assignment
- A student can create a class website to work on and submit assignments electronically
Sakai software is part of the Sakai Project
(www.sakaiproject.org), an R&D project for creating open source
collaborative tools for use in learning, research, and other types of
distributed group work.
If you are interested in setting up Sakai site for research collaboration please contact Abhishek Joshi aj2358@columbia.edu
Mailman Shared Folder and Personal Storage Space
Upon request, CPRC members can obtain access to the Mailman School of Public Health server. This access allows members a location to collaborate and store data. Faculties at the SPH are directly connected to the Mailman server and have automatic access to the shared drives in their offices. Members who are not located in the SPH will connect using VPN. The shared drive letters are usually the “P” and “O”. “P” allows access to the SMS_CPRC folder while the “O” drive is for personal storage space. Each member is allocated 1GB of space on the “O” drive.
Account Request: To request access to the Mailman Shared Drives please contact Abhishek Joshi (212) 851-2229 or email aj2358@columbia.edu.
Instructions for connecting to Mailman server via VPN:
Virtual Private Network (VPN)VPN is a program that encrypts data before it is sent across a network. While the wired campus network has built-in security measures to protect patient data, VPN must be used in the following two instances to provide security for data traveling across the non-wired network. IMPORTANT: Remote Desktop is not supported at all by CUMC IT. It is a very insecure method of connecting back to the Columbia network. VPN is currently the only supported method of accessing assets on the CUMC network from a remote location.
- Using on-campus resources from off-campus computers.
- The NYP/CUMC SSL VPN Service Web Site can be used to connect to most resources using your web browser. Log in with your Columbia UNI or NYP ID and password; if prompted you must install any website updates and java components for the VPN service to work. Be sure to pay attention to any link-specific instructions that may appear as you navigate through the site.
- Installing the Cisco VPN program on the off-campus computer provides a direct, secure connection to the campus network. You would then use your VPN connected computer to use resources in the same manner that you do when on campus. Please select the appropriate link below for your computer's operating system. See our Remote Network Drive Access web site for information on connecting to a network drive from off campus.
IMPORTANT: Connecting to a resource from off
site using either method may require additional information from your
technical support group. If you will be connecting to a specific server
or department drive, you must obtain assistance or instructions on how
to configure the off site computer ahead of time. Since this
information can vary greatly, please contact the IT staff that manages
the resource or your Department Administrator if you are not sure who
manages it.
- Using the Rome wireless network on campus.
- Rome is only available at specific locations on campus, however it is being phased out and is no longer fully supported. When possible, please use the Athens wireless network since it is fully supported and available in more locations.
- Rome requires that you install the Cisco VPN program on your computer, please see the appropriate link below for your operating system.
- It is fine to configure your system to connect to both Rome and Athens.
NOTE: These installations are for West Campus only. To use them, your primary affiliation must be with the Columbia University Medical Center. If your primary affiliation is with New York-Presbyterian Hospital, please call extension 4-Help for assistance. Windows 64-bit Compatibility Issues Windows 64-bit systems are not compatible with the Cisco VPN program or the Rome wireless network. Please connect to the Athens wireless network instead, and use the NYP/CUMC SSL VPN Service Web Site if you need to connect to a resource from off-campus. For complete installation instructions, please select the appropriate link for your operating system:
- Windows 7 and Vista - 32-bit systems only
- Windows XP - 32-bit systems only
- Macintosh OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
- Macintosh OS 10.2 to 10.5 Now available - instructions for configuring your iPhone or iPod touch and iPad.
For more information please contact Abhishek Joshi (212) 851-2229 or email aj2358@columbia.edu.