Equipment and Internet Connection

 

Minimum Hardware Specification

The PC (or equivalent) used to study the courseware should be efficient in rendering modern web documents with multimedia and flash components. It should be capable of supporting at least three applications concurrently in a stable and efficient manner, for example web browsing, document editing and an EDA session.

Hardware Specification - (assumes a PC)

  1. Video graphics card.  Must support 1024 x 768 pixels resolution and 256 colours as a minimum.
  2. CPU.  May be Pentium 2/3/4, Celeron, Athlon, Duron, AMD K6-2 faster than 350 MHz.
  3. Memory.   64MB is sufficient but more will enhance performance and is recommended.
  4. Modem.  Must be 56Kbps, internal type, or external with fast serial port;  hardware types are preferable.  A cable modem or broadband connection (ADSL) is better still, but is not essential.
  5. CD-ROM drive.
  6. Display device.  Must be able to display 1024 x 768 pixels, in colour.  A 17inch screen or above is recommended.
  7. Mouse.  Three button mouse.  (The middle button is used by some EDA software).
  8. Sound card and speakers or headphones.
  9. CD writer (useful for backups)

 

Software Requirement

  • Web Browser: IE 5 or later, or Netscape 4.7, with plug-ins for Flash and Realmedia.
  • A word processor or office suite.  (Assignments should normally be submitted in Word or pdf format).


    • For remote access to EDA tools you will need to download and install Citrix ICA client software. It is available free of charge from the Citrix site and instructions are to be found here:   Loading and configuring Citrix ICA client

    Recommended utilities

    Acrobat Reader, Winzip or similar archive tool, virus checker 

     

    Equipment Issued on Loan

    Additional equipment kits are issued to students for the following modules:
    Microelectronic Technologies and Applications Altera development kit
    Microprocessors Matrixmultimedia PIC kit (or equivalent)

    Outgoing postage is paid by the CET Postgraduate Programmes Office but students are expected to cover the cost of posting the kits back to Bolton.

     

    Internet Connection

    Existing users of the internet can continue using their own ISP for all courseware. Providing the delay (latency) to the servers at Bolton is less than 300ms, the same connection can be used for EDA work. A broadband or ISDN connection is preferable but a 56K modem is adequate. For instructions on testing the delay to Bolton, please refer to Test of IP route to Bolton


    Broadband  (includes Cable Broadband)

    If a broadband connection is available in your area  this is likely to be the best option in terms of service and total cost.  We therefore recommend investigating the various broadband options thoroughly before looking at anything else.  In the UK the main suppliers are BT, NTL and TeleWest.

    A broadband modem will be needed although cable suppliers often include it within the "set-top box".  Otherwise the choice is between a modem card which is fitted within the PC (an "internal" modem) and an external modem.  The simplest, most robust and most flexible approach is an external modem connected via the USB port of the PC.

    The telecoms provider will become your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and this route should also work for remote access to CAD.  The email service provided by Bolton Institute will still be available to you if you choose to use it.
     

    56k Modem

    The performance through a 56k modem is adequate for remote access to CAD. Unless the PC comes with modem installed and working, it is best to purchase an external modem as this will give flexibility for the future.

     

    Internet Service Provider (ISP)

    Depending on the routing they use, some ISPs will work better than others.  A number of ISPs direct all traffic via the USA which can sometimes result in an unnecessary delay because of network traffic in the USA at peak times and added hops (latency).  Students based outside the USA  may find that the link to the CAD servers in Bolton is slower than the limit specified for acceptable use is (300ms).   Although the connection will be adequate for web pages, we would recommend moving to a locally-based ISP for remote access to CAD.

    If you are based in the UK, you have the option of dialling direct to Bolton using an 0845 number which has been set up for the purpose.  The 0845 number is charged at standard local rates except that usage during the weekend is charged at the weekday evening rate.  Details of how to configure your PC to make this dial-up connection are here: Configuring direct dial-up to Bolton For security this page is restricted.   Please note, dial-up to Bolton cannot be established until you have enrolled and been allocated a userid and password.

     

    Updated 10.10.05 RA