Student-Owned
Computer Guidelines

In order to connect to the SMUMN network and obtain Internet access, student-owned computers are required to meet or exceed minimum performance guidelines and have certain software packages installed. The University provides Microsoft Office 365 for Students.

Windows Compatible Computer:

Operating System: Windows 10 and Windows 11

               HelpDesk does not support other operating systems

Processor:  Intel Core i3 or equivalent processors.

RAM: Minimum of 8GB but having more is recommended.

Apple MAC Computer:

  Operating system:  Mac OS 10.9 or newer

  RAM: Minimum 4GB but having more is recommended.

Wireless networking:

All Wireless devices should have 802.11a/g/n  or 802.11ac Wi-Fi compatibility for best performance.  Devices that only support 802.11b/g/n operate only on the 2.4ghz frequency and will not perform as well due to the number of devices on campus.

Personal network devices (routers and access points) are not allowed on campus. They tend to cause interference issues with SMU provided wireless. Turn off wireless on personal printers.  iT HelpDesk does not connect personal printers to the network.

Prepping your computer before coming to campus:

Guidelines for Computer Maintenance:

Computer operating systems (OS), especially Windows-based OS’s, must be maintained while connected to the SMUMN network. As part of this, he Universty provides the required Network Access Control (NAC) software. When you initially connect to the  network, you are prompted to install this software. The software scans your system to ensure that it meets network access requirements: operating system up-to-date, active and up-to-date virus-scanning software, and current virus definition files (DATs). It does not scan your personal data.

Maintenance items include the following:

Running Windows Update (Microsoft) or Software Update (Apple Mac OS’s) to have current security patches, service packs, application updates, and driver updates.

Running an allowed virus-scanning program, definition files (DAT’s) must be up-to-date (current).

Other Recommendations:

• Purchase of extended warranties, for all computers.
• Purchase of accidental damage coverage for portable computing devices (laptops). You may want to check with your home owner’s insurance agent for accidental damage coverage.

The iT Department does not recommend the installation or use of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing programs, such as Ares, iMesh, KaZaa, Morpheus, Limewire, etc. The HelpDesk does not support computer issues caused or potentially caused by P2P file sharing programs. Please uninstall these programs before coming to campus.

* Computer maintenance is an ongoing process and the responsibility of the computer user. Updates and virus scanning should be done, at minimum, once a week. Adware and spyware scans should be done, at least, monthly.

Please refer to the Getting Started Guides in "Information for New Users" to the left.