I Need An Account Or A Password
In fact, you may need several computer accounts. (This page gives brief setup information--for more information follow the links or check the FAQs page.) Start at the top of the list and work down through the list for what you need--In some cases you may need to log on to one account before setting up the next.
1. Patriotweb account
If you are a new to GMU, student or staff, and/or have not used any computers with your own named account, then you must start here. You need to know your GMU ID number and PIN code to log into https://patriotweb.gmu.edu and to activate e-mail and mason cluster accounts (below). Support contact information is on the website.
2. E-mail account (more about e-mail)
CEC is required by state regulations to use only your GMU e-mail account for communication about your account on the CEC systems.
Please view this page for more information: https://labs.vse.gmu.edu/index.php/FAQ/E-mail
3. Mason account
You will need a mason account to access mason.gmu.edu (formerly known as osf1.gmu.edu).
Information about how to setup a mason account can be found by going to http://mason.gmu.edu/.
4. CEC Linux (Unix) cluster account (more about this)
The CEC cluster includes main server machines named zeus.vse.gmu.edu (zeus-0, zeus-1), and a number of servers dedicated to running specific applications for specific classes. All of the Windows computers in the labs in the Engineering Building also have a Linux Virtual Machine called VSLinux that is part of the cluster.
Your CEC cluster account is coordinated so your username and password match your e-mail account information, and your CEC home directory is normally accessible whenever and wherever you log in with that account. Check the FAQs for more information on the CEC account
Account creation is automated. Support contact information is on the CEC Labs website under 'Contact Us'.
Important Notice about passwords: Our Unix cluster systems use the campus kerberos database. The password in the kerberos database is synchronised with the LDAP password used for email when you change your password at http://password.gmu.edu.
(If you do not need any other accounts, you can stop here and return to the FAQs.)
5. CEC Windows domain accounts
General accounts are available for CEC students' use on Windows. Your instructor should tell you in class how to log on or you may check in lab ENGR-1506.
Staff and TAs may be assigned a personal Windows account on the SITE or LAB domains (e.g. clusters of Windows PCs). The domain username should match the GMU username. TAs should request/be assigned accounts at the semester start through their supervisor or department. Accounts are set up by the administrator, so we request lists for new staff/TAs accounts from the department. The lists should include the name and GMU e-mail username (department, course number(s) and section(s) are also useful).
Support contact information is on the CEC Labs website under 'Contact Us'.
6. Department-server, course and specialty lab accounts.
Certain departments and courses require access to clusters or systems according to their resource needs. If you have heard of any of these (or some not listed) in class, you may need an account on that cluster or system. Your instructor should tell you in class how to obtain an account.
Follow the links to informational pages.
CEC Labs Access resources:
Computer Science servers ( send e-mail to help[at]cs.gmu.edu ):
- CS Research & Labs
- cs1.cs.gmu.edu
- hydra.cs.gmu.edu ( hydra cluster )
- NET section of a class
- disted.vse.gmu.edu (password matches e-mail)
- netlab.gmu.edu/disted
- ece.gmu.edu (Unix),
- cpe01 (Windows),
- cpe02 (Unix),
- ECECPE domain (Windows)
7. Now that I have my accounts, how do I..
Let us refer you back to the FAQs page to see if your question is addressed...