EECS Technical Database

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===== Frequently Asked Questions about Labtest =====

  * How can you tell the default mode of a host in the prism lab?
    /cs/local/share/pcmode/defaults will list a host and contain the   contents of it's default mode

  * Whom should be notified when the lab used for labtest mode?
    If the whole lab is booked, we need to inform the monitors 
    to place signs in the prism lab so students will be notified in 
    advance of any inconveniences
    Some professors may have assignments due or labs designed for
    their students to use specialty labs like robotics and Embedded 
    Systems. Those faculty members should be advised
    If the faculty member sends the request to a particular tech 
    member that message should be responded with a copy to tech
 
  * Where can I look for the labtest schedules?
    [[http://www.cse.yorku.ca/tdb/_doc.php/userg/labs/prism/pcmode-schedule.html]] 

  *  How can I tell if the lab is already booked for regular lab 
     sessions?
    [[http://www.cse.yorku.ca/tdb/_doc.php/userg/labs/prism/]] and 
    follow the link for labs schedule for current semester

  * What do you look for in any request for  a labtest booking?
    Check to see if the faculty member requests the following:
    Any hosts for extended times (some students are given 
    additional time. This will eliminate re-work
    Some faculty requests some hosts not to be put into labtest 
    mode so that a TA/faculty has the ability to login into a 
    host for normal mode.   
    Make sure the lab is not booked beyond requested time
    Check for overlaps in schedules
    Check Lab opening/closing times so that there are no
    conflicts with monitors schedules.
    Sometimes the request is for turning all hosts into linuxmode
    only not labtest
    If all the above questions are answered, then proceed to 
    schedule the request
    


  * Why was default mode added?
    This was added as an enhancement to scheduling  so we can
    eliminate several at jobs to complete the task
    eg. If the whole lab was put into labtest mode, I would 
    have to schedule 3 at jobs to complete the task.
    One to put the hosts into labtest mode
    One to return windows machines to windows mode
    One to return linux machines to linux mode
    With the default mode added , I can replace the last 2 at jobs
    with one by indicating a default mode
    /xsys/bin/pcmode -m default -f <filename1> -f <filename2>

    This will only work if the host exist in /cs/local/share/pcmode/default


   * What is the process involved in setting up a labtest?
    An at job is scheduled on host silver to fulfill this task.
    Take the requested time and set up the schedule 10 minutes
    before the requested time and end the session 5 minutes before
    the end time    eg:
    Request labtest _09:30-12:30
    Then you would  schedule the at job at 09:20 and end at 12:25
    The reason for the delay is to give students a chance to save
    their work and logout if logged in to a labtest host
    The 5-min warning before an end time is to remind students to
    submit their work before the machine resets