The Campus Common Desktop is the common base on which ISS build and support student PC clusters; and PCs supporting a wide range of IT functions across Schools and Faculties. The Common Desktop uses Windows XP as the base operating system. The Common Desktop is not a single configuration; rather it is a collection of services, software and policies upon which you can build a system to match your needs.
The system and core software on a Common Desktop PC are centrally managed; however, above this, Windows provides facilities for delegation of authority to a hierarchy of responsible agents (Faculty/School IT officers, project leaders, users etc). For example the PCs in student clusters are managed solely by ISS, whereas a PC used by a research associate might take the core software (MS Office etc) but otherwise be entirely under the control of the researcher.
The Campus Managed Desktop is an evolution of the Common Desktop, allowing yet more flexibility and choice of configuration based on either Windows XP or Windows 7. The basic principles are the same as those for Common Desktop, however there is no core software suite, but rather a base operating system and security configuration on which to overlay a variety of newly packaged applications.
University staff and postgraduates must contact their School IT advisor to arrange installation of either of the Campus Desktops and for software installations of any kind. If you don't know who your School Computing Officer is, try searching the list of OU Administrators or email it.servicedesk@ncl.ac.uk and we'll tell you who is responsible in your department.
Hardware requirements - PC and network card specifications
Installing Campus Managed Desktops - essential things you need to know
Software on Managed Desktops - where and how to get it; licensing requirements.