From A to Z, here's a glossary of common IT terms and IT definitions from UT and LAITS
ACO
Short for Amp Communication Outlet
Asset Tag
Each piece of UT-owned hardware is assigned a unique six-character identifier, such as A22119, D04571, or 876234. All computers purchased through LAITS are tagged - either by Dell at the time of order or by LAITS during the imaging process. Typically, identifiers starting with ‘D’ (DXXXXX) are Dells, ‘A’ (AXXXXX) are Apples; hardware asset tags starting with ‘7’ or ‘8’ signify older devices that could be either brand.
BACS
Building Access and Security Systems are designed to control access to buildings and specific rooms at designated times. This can include coded locks, like those used in some of our spaces, or UT’s proprietary ID card access system. When referring specifically, it denotes the latter. Typically, building managers have the authority to modify access permissions for buildings or rooms.
BQ
BQ (Border Quarantine) is a security measure that effectively blocks a device from connecting to the network. These quarantines are implemented by the Information Security Office (ISO) in response to identified vulnerabilities. Specific LAITS staff have the authority to clear these quarantines
Crashplan
Crashplan is the backup software designed to regularly scan for changes on users’ disks and to back up data on end-user machines. UT backup software was formerly known as Code42 and UTBackup.
Crashplan Troubleshooting Guide
DE
Short for Desktop Engineering; this team of systems managers are also referred to as Fleet Management. LAITS fleet management ensures end user computers and printers are configured and maintained to meet Information Security Office (ISO) requirements. This includes regular patching, malware protection, data backups, and security.
Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is the enterprise anti-malware program the University uses for all Windows and macOS computers.
Deployment
When a machine is delivered to a user, it must be Deployed. This is the process of initially setting up a user's account, software, and access to services.
DEPNotify
A piece of software used by LAITS to improve the imaging process on mac computers. When we talk about DEPNotify, we're usually referring to the popups/notifications it generates. See this page for additional context.
DEPT Codes
How we refer to departments in technical or space-limited contexts. College of Liberal Arts becomes COLA, Social Work becomes SSW1, etc. We use this in Active Directory, and in how we name computers. You can find a complete list of our supported department codes here.
DOC
Desktop Operations Center. A LAITS-specific term for our walkup service desks. These are located in PAR, NURS, RLP, etc.
DSS
Short for Desktop Support Specialist. LAITS's team of deskside support agents.
FTE
Full-Time Employees are faculty and staff working traditional 40-hour work weeks. FTEs, PTEs (Part-Time Employees), and STAs have different degrees of benefits, responsibilities, and privileges.
Generations / Lifecycle
Also referred to as "GENS," a program where tenure-track COLA faculty receive a new machine through LAITS at regular intervals, with the goal that no faculty enrolled in the program has a computer more than four years old.
Imaging
Sometimes referred to as provisioning, reimaging, or reformating. The process of wiping a computer and configuring it according to LAITS standards. This includes installing certain pieces of software and configuring settings to our needs. This is largely automated.
ISO
Refers to the Information Security Office, rather than the file format. Typically.
ITS
Information Technology Services, the largest IT support group on campus which handles campus-wide services like DUO, Box, and more.
JAMF
A suite of computer management software. Serves as our MacOS replacement for LANrev. LAITS migrated to JAMF in 2019/2020.
Loaner
A temporarily assigned machine with a generic login, meant for use when a user's primary machine is being serviced. Most loaners are directly owned and managed by LAITS and are not intended for prolonged use. Loaners should receive bare-minimum setup, and should not be tied into a user's backups or departmental software suite.
Mainframe
A specialized computer used for processing large volumes of sensitive data. UT's mainframe is located in the University Data Center. The university maintains a number of applications that depend upon the mainframe, the most popular of which are DEFINE, DPUser, and TID Printing. Confusingly, administrative employees will frequently refer to these applications AS the mainframe. Mainframe issues should be forwarded to the UT Service Desk.
Remediation
Any extended support session, usually a planned one addressing the primary issue on a ticket, is referred to as a Remediation.
SCCM
SCCM, sometimes referred to as MEMCM, or MECM, is a suite of computer management software developed and maintained by Microsoft. LAITS began migrating to SCCM in late 2020/early 2021. It serves as our Windows-based replacement to LANrev, a deprecated computer management suite.
SLA
Service Level Agreement. A common industry term, basically states the scope and speed of the services we provide. Notably, LAITS customers can have differing SLAs.
Splunk
Splunk is a SIEM (security information and event management) tool run by the ISO that ingests data streams from many sources, then processes and displays relevant information in reports and dashboards.
STA
Student Technology Assistants are student employees assigned to various tasks and roles within the LAITS Computer Support and AV teams.
VPP
Short for Volume Purchasing Program. A licensing structure that Apple has that allows schools and enterprises to license apps and some content.