Operating systems
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Macintosh
We currently support and recommend Mac OS 10.4.9 and above. Due to security risks, we recommend all machines to be at this minimum.
In September 2009, Apple released Snow Leopard, 10.6.x. Support documentation will become available within 90 days of it’s release. Apple's Snow Leopard: Does not yet work with some key applications.
In October 2007, Apple released OS 10.5, Leopard. Before you upgrade to Leopard please read this important information.
Windows
Vista – At this time, Yale ITS does not recommend users upgrade to Vista. Many University applications, including practice-specific applications in the financial, student administrative and clinical areas, have NOT been certified for use with Vista. For additional information, see our detailed announcement regarding Vista.
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For a detailed list of application compatibility, please see our Vista Application Compatibility Chart (PDF format).
- Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (PDF)
XP Professional – ITS supports and recommends Windows XP Pro on all new computers. This operating system has been tested and is fully compatible with University line of business applications. Additionally, Microsoft has promised to continue to support Windows XP until April 2009.
Regarding other versions of XP, none of Yale's supported applications require or even take advantage of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Home lacks many of the features needed on Yale's network.
Windows 2000 – ITS strongly recommends upgrading to Windows XP Professional wherever possible. Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 2000 on 6/30/05. Extended support for Windows 2000 at Yale includes security update support only. For more details, see Microsoft’s Support Lifecycle information and FAQ.
Other Windows systems – ITS has discontinued support for Windows NT, Me, 98, and 95. Microsoft discontinued support for Windows 95 as of January 1, 2002. See Microsoft official statement for details. Click here for assistance if a computer is not functioning properly on the network and it is running an unsupported version of Windows.
UNIX and Linux
ITS recommends the latest version of Redhat Enterprise Linux. AM&T Linux Systems Design & Support details recommendations here.
Redhat Enterprise is a well supported and stable operating system that should be used for servers and any other important computer. Using Redhat Enterprise requires a small yearly subscription fee. For users who want a cost free version of Linux, we recommend CentOS Linux. CentOS provides a version of Linux that is fully compatible with Redhat Enterprise. Though it is not as well supported as Redhat, they do provide long term security updates, which is critical for any computer.
For desktop computers that do not need to be supported for more than one year, we also support openSUSE Linux. Please keep in mind that openSUSE, and similar desktop Linux distributions such as Fedora, do not offer security updates for more than one year after the initial release. Because of this, we only recommend openSUSE for computers that are upgraded at least every 12 months.
Occasionally third party software or specialized lab hardware requires an older version Linux or UNIX. All attempts will be made by ITS to support machines that fall into this category. We will also assist in investigating possible options, or help educate vendors on the need to port their product to Redhat Enterprise.
Other flavors of UNIX, both proprietary (AIX, HP-UX and Tru64) and open source (FreeBSD, OpenBSD) have a very small user community at Yale and can be difficult to support. We do not recommend these operating systems, since we cannot fully support them.
Upgrading OS
If your computer is working correctly with its current operating system, do not upgrade it. The manufacturer's warranty may be void if you install an updated version of your operating system over the OS version that came with your computer. Upgrading an operating system is usually involved and time intensive. Upgrades often require you to completely delete the contents of your hard drive, and begin from scratch. You must also purchase a new license for the new operating system, plus some of your older peripherals and software may need to be upgraded. For these reasons we strongly suggest you do not perform a major operating system upgrade on your computer (for example, upgrading from Windows 98 to Windows 2000).
If you must upgrade your operating system, contact us first. Some newer hardware or software requires you to upgrade your current operating system. Also, any computing device with confidential information, especially ePHI (electronic protected health information), should be running 'recommended' operating system software. In this case we ask that you contact us first so we can help you understand what impact upgrading will have on your system, before you run into trouble.
Service packs
Service packs should be applied after they are tested by ITS, and made available via our software website. Service packs are not considered operating system upgrades, but rather a collection of patches to help your operating system run more stably and securely.
Does your computer pass inspection?
To ensure your computer meets these requirements you can perform the following functions from any network connection.
Windows Update:
a. To ensure you have the latest updates from Microsoft go to www.microsoft.com/windowsupdate from IE and update your computer and select express.
b. Turn on Windows AutoUpdates: Right click my computer a click properties, select the tab for automatic updates and select the radio button for automatic (recommended).
c. Open your Antivirus client and make sure it has the latest virus definitions.
Macintosh Update:
a. To ensure you have the latest patches from Apple, click the Apple Menu and click Software Update.
b. To automatically receive future patches, click the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update and schedule weekly updates.
c. Open your Antivirus client and make sure it has the latest virus definitions.
Useful links:
