Faculty/Staff Getting Started Guide

This checklist will walk you through the tasks necessary to get started with computing at Virginia Tech. Start by creating your PID and then checking with your department for your computer needs. The next step is to obtain a VTnet CD. VTnet is a software collection assembled for current Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and students only. This software also configures your email and connects you to the Internet.

Create Your PID

• Your PID is your unique Personal Identifier. Your PID and PID password grant you access to Virginia Tech services such as email, online courses, the library databases, personal Web space, and online personal information.
• You can create your own PID once your department’s Banner Human Resources representative has completed the necessary steps  and given you your Virginia Tech ID number.
• Access to computer systems and networks owned or operated by Virginia Tech imposes certain responsibilities and obligations and is granted subject to university policies, and local, state, and federal laws. For more information, see Virginia Tech's Acceptable Use Guidelines.

Get Your Computer

• Please check with your department's technical support person for your computer needs.
• Computer Purchasing processes requisitions for computer equipment, software, maintenance, and service for faculty and staff.

Connect to the Internet

• On campus, offices are equipped with a high-speed Internet connection. Speak with your network liaison for more information.

Important: Do not use VTnet to configure your office network connection.

• Off campus, there are ways to connect.
• Your apartment complex may offer a high-speed Ethernet connection. Check with the rental office for more information.
• There are also other connection options, such as local Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
• Public Ethernet Portals are available in Torgersen Hall. Refer to Configuring Your Laptop to Use Public Ethernet Portals on Virginia Tech Campus for instructions.
• The wireless campus network is available in many places on campus. You will need a valid PID and to purchase and then register with CNS.

Configure Your Email

Check with your department for advice in choosing and managing your email services.

• All students, faculty, and staff have a VT Mail account provided by the university. For more information about VT Mail or email client configuration instructions see the VT Google Apps Mail page.
• VTnet will configure client for you.
• For Web access to your VT Google Apps Mail account, you can log on to the VT Google Apps Portal.
• Faculty and staff are encouraged to use the Exchange service, a premier email and calendaring solution. This service includes integrated email, appointments, tasks, contacts, and public folders.

Get Additional Software

• Virginia Tech offers software on the VTnet CD, including Symantec AntiVirus.
• Symantec AntiVirus is available at no charge to all Virginia Tech students, faculty, staff, and retirees only. Download it from antivirus.vt.edu or install it from the VTnet CD.
• Virginia Tech also offers other software to faculty at reduced prices. For a complete list, go to the Departmental Software page.
• The Virginia Tech University Bookstore also offers a variety of academically priced software packages.

Take Advantage of Computing Services

• Hokie SPA offers tools such as Faculty Access, Hokie PLUS, Hokie TEAM, and Hokie SPA for managing your personal information and your courses.
• My VT is a gateway to Virginia Tech online services and information.
• Banner is the collection of central administrative systems and data at Virginia Tech.
• Scholar is an online tool used by many professors to supplement classroom instruction and collaboration.
• Faculty Development Institute offers year-round technology training for both faculty and staff.
• Filebox is a Web publishing and file storage service that is provided free of charge for all current faculty, staff, and students.
• InnovationSpace offers consulting, computer labs, scanners, audio/visual bays, and equipment loans at no charge.
• Lynda provides interactive tutorials which cover a variety of topics.

Get Help

• computing.vt.edu is a directory of computing services offered by Virginia Tech.
• answers.vt.edu is a knowledge base that provides answers to common computing problems at Virginia Tech.
• security.vt.edu offers software, tools, and documentation that provide you with practical protection and prevention for your computer.
• antivirus.vt.edu offers contains important information on how to protect your system, as well as antivirus software and virus removal instructions.
• 4Help Computer Consulting provides computer support to Virginia Tech faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Contact 4Help by using the Help Request Form or by calling (540) 231-HELP (4357).