Getting started with FI

Welcome to the Faculty of Informatics! In this text, you will learn what the Faculty offers you and how to use its technical equipment. You can find even more in our Technical Information: fi.muni.cz/tech/.

Computers and facilities

• Students have free access to the computer hall, where there are computers running Windows ( titan), Linux ( nymfe) and macOS ( luna).
• Computer labs:
  • Windows classrooms: A215, C117, C118, C119, C403.
  • Linux classrooms: A219, C121, C122, C123.
• Custom laptops can be connected to several separate monitors in the PC hall, or to monitors at selected computers using a loose video cable marked with a yellow label.
• Some of these computers can be used remotely, see the Remote Access section below.
• Learners can also use the kitchen with microwave C226a, study room A214, or library/study room A105.
• Printing on the copier in the library is possible from Windows. Sufficient funds are required in the SUPO account. For more information, see the Paid SUPO Printing page in the Technical Information.

Accounts and access

Access to the computer lab and some classrooms is by ISIC card (you need to "beep" it by attaching it to the scanner).

Every MU student has an ID card:

• Primary password - for logging into the IS and for services using the MUNI single sign-on.
• Secondary password - for other services (printing via SUPO, Eduroam wireless network, ...).

FI students also have a faculty account:

• Faculty login + Faculty password. Login can be found in IS; freshmen also on the bulletin board at the entrance to the PC hall.
• The faculty login is often called xlogin. Always replace it with your actual faculty login in procedures and instructions. Never include the word "xlogin" directly in commands, etc.
• The faculty password can be changed in IS at is.muni.cz/auth/system/ password_fi, or in Faculty Administration go to Change Password.
  • Initially, the faculty password is the same as the secondary password, but they are no longer synchronized in any way - they are two different passwords.
• It is used to log in to faculty services: the Aisa server, faculty PCs, GitLab, ...
• At the same time you get the mailbox xlogin@fi.muni.cz (by default it is redirected to IS).
  • Please note that you are obliged to read mail delivered to this address. So only cancel the redirection if you check this mailbox.
• Settings and services linked to your faculty account can be found in Faculty Administration: fadmin.fi.muni.cz.

Home directories and repositories

• Each user has two network home directories: one for Unix systems (Linux and macOS, /home/xlogin) and one for Windows ( H:).
• On Windows, the Unix home directory automatically connects as the network drive J:.
• The home directories are backed up (email the administrator for data recovery).
• The amount of data stored is limited by the disk quota.
• On both platforms, you can also use a larger storage (but slower and not backed up): the directory /data/xlogin, or the drive K:.
• See Storage and Quotas and Windows on Student Computers in the Technical Information for more details.

Programs on Linux

• If you are missing a program, you can ask the administrator to install it or use the module system.

Remote access

• Aisa is a Linux server that allows students remote access via SSH in a unified environment.
• Connect from anywhere using ssh xlogin@aisa.fi.muni.cz in a terminal (Linux, macOS), or on Windows using the command line ( cmd.exe) or PowerShell. Check the Technical Information for the server key.
• Information on remote access to campus PCs (Linux and Windows) and information on the faculty VPN can be found on the Remote Access to Services page.

Wi-Fi

• Prefer Eduroam. Instructions can be found at it.muni.com/services/wifi.
• It is also possible to connect to the faculty wlan_fi network. However, you need to authenticate via the captive portal or wifi.fi.muni.cz (with faculty login and password). Beware, this network is not encrypted!

Rules

• The faculty is open Mon-Fri 6-22.
• PC hall and classrooms are available Mon-Thu 7-22, Fri 7-20. During the exam period, the hall and classrooms are used for exams; follow their schedules in IS.
• Eating and drinking are not allowed in the computer rooms and the hall.
• Do not leave the PC without locking it (for a maximum of 10 minutes) or logging out.
• Do not reboot Linux computers; they may have remote users logged in. If freezing, follow the instructions on the poster when entering the room.
• Illegal sharing of content is prohibited.
• Follow all other rules as well, which can be found in the Technical Information under the FI Computer Systems Operating Rules link.

Violation of the rules may result in your faculty account being blocked.

Technical Information and Contacts

The Technical Information (fi.muni.com/tech/) has a lot of useful information and instructions. You should study them, or at least consult the main signpost for an overview.

Something not working? You can check the availability of the main services on the status page: status.fi.muni.cz.

In case of problems with Windows, Unix systems or Wi-Fi, use the technical contacts win@fi.muni.cz, unix@fi.muni.cz, or wifi@fi.muni.cz.

Earlier version of this document: archive Getting started with FI.