New GPT-6 Models and UI / Chat Improvements (v1.27.0)
Features:
- The following models have been added for staff and students:
- GPT-6 Astra, Sol, and Luna, including support for Prompt Cache Writes
Bug Fixes and Improvements:
- Redesigned model selection and model overview, with hosting labels such as Inference NRW now more clearly visible.
- Ongoing generation is now stopped when switching between chats, preventing responses from different chats from being mixed.
- Corrected token estimation for image input.
New GPT-5.6 and GPT-6 Models with UI and Chat Improvements (v1.27.0)
Features:
- Support for GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra, and Luna as well as GPT-6 Astra, Sol, and Luna, including support for Prompt Cache Writes.
Bug Fixes and Improvements:
- Redesigned model selection and model overview, with hosting labels such as Inference NRW now more clearly visible.
- Ongoing generation is now stopped when switching between chats, preventing responses from different chats from being mixed.
- Corrected token estimation for image input.
- Fixed an issue when creating embedding deployments in the admin interface.
New MATLAB License Year 2026/2027 Started
The new license year for MATLAB began on October 1, 2026, and runs through September 30, 2027. The corresponding license articles are now available in the software shop.
Users who wish to continue using MATLAB are requested to order the required number of licenses via the software shop.
If MATLAB is no longer needed, the software should be uninstalled from the respective devices.
Origin Single-User Licenses: Reactivation for the 2026/27 License Year
In the past, single-user licenses for Origin were purchased via the software shop at RWTH Aachen University. After the purchase, a registration with OriginLab was required. This was necessary to generate the product key. To comply with the license terms, the process was changed last year. A separate registration with OriginLab is no longer necessary.
Product Key Directly Upon Purchase
The product key is now provided directly upon purchase. You receive the key immediately via the software shop. You can find out how to retrieve the product key in our instructions on IT Center Help.
Expiration of Previous Single-User Licenses
With the new license year, all previously registered single-user licenses expire. A grace period applies until the end of October 2026. Therefore, an error message may appear when starting Origin. The software detects that the previous product key is invalid.
Repurchase via the Software Shop
In this case, the product must be purchased again via the software shop. Order the license for the current license year. Afterwards, you can continue using the software with the new product key.
SPSS License Agreement Renewed for Another Year
The license agreement for the statistical software SPSS has been successfully renewed for another year. The new license year runs from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027.
Although we prepared the license renewal early and closely monitored the process, the required licenses were only just provided by the software provider. As a result, the start has been delayed accordingly. Therefore, all registered licenses from the last license year (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026) will continue to run with a one-month grace period until the end of October 2026.
The costs for licenses of central institutions represent a significant cost factor of the campus license. To ensure a fair cost distribution for all institutions at RWTH Aachen University, an adjustment was necessary. Therefore, the prices for single-user and network licenses have been adjusted for central institutions accordingly.
The corresponding SPSS articles are available in the software shop. Users who wish to continue using SPSS are requested to place a new order. Please order the required number of licenses via the software shop.
If SPSS is no longer needed, the software should be uninstalled from the respective devices.
Reporting Page for Coscine
At the request of the Coscine.nrw and FDM:Storage.nrw Advisory Board, all users, RDM staff, and other interested parties can now view the public reporting page [3]. There you will find, among other things, the current user numbers and their trends since November 2025 in anonymized form. The reporting page also shows the distribution of resource types as well as their allocated and used storage space. Using the usage maps, you can get an interactive overview of, for example, where Coscine projects are located and where, geographically speaking, the most storage space is being used.
Beta Version of the New UI
Users can now try out the new user interface (UI) in a beta version. To do so, log in using your preferred login method, and a pop-up will appear allowing you to choose whether you’d like to test the new version or continue working with the previous one. Since not all features are yet available in the new version, you can use either version of the web interface during this transition period. Please note that the new version is not a test environment; rather, both versions will complement each other until the new version is available with its full range of features. You can also find more information about the new UI in the blog post.
Ansys Semiconductor: Products No Longer Included in the Ansys Academic Multiphysics Campus License
We were informed by our distributor about an important change. Due to the acquisition of Ansys by Synopsys, there were adjustments. Namely, the Semiconductor products are no longer part of the “Ansys Academic Multiphysics Campus” license. The corresponding products are therefore no longer available through this package. These include, among others:
- Ansys RedHawk
- Ansys Totem
- Ansys PathFinder
- Ansys PowerArtist
This information corrects our post from September 3, 2026.
If you need the Semiconductor products, please contact the IT Service Desk.
Opencast: Upgrade to version 20
Opencast has been updated to version 20
