Kategorie: ‘Support, Services & Updates’
Changed opening hours on May 28, 2025
Source: Freepik
On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the IT-ServiceDesk will only be available during limited opening hours due to an internal event.
Coscine User Survey 2025 – Take part now!
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Once again this year, we would like to invite you to take part in the Coscine Survey 2025. From April 28 to May 30, 2025, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences, wishes, and suggestions with us.
Coscine supports you in organizing and storing research data – and thrives on active exchange with everyone who uses the platform. Your feedback is crucial for further developing Coscine and tailoring it even better to your needs. Read the rest of this entry »
The Results of the 2024 IT Center Satisfaction Survey Are In!
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In October and November 2024, we conducted our 13th IT Center Satisfaction Survey, in which all members of the RWTH Aachen University community, including students and staff, were able to evaluate the services and support offered by the IT Center. In the survey, we also asked you for suggestions for improvement, which have already been reviewed and analyzed by our various teams and groups over the past few months.
Basics at RWTH: Using the VPN
Source: Own Illustration
At RWTH Aachen University, the Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides an important and secure connection to the university network. This connection is secured by encryption protocols such as TLS. VPN ensures that all data traffic – either to the RWTH network or, depending on the configuration, also to the Internet – is routed via a so-called “tunnel”. This tunnel protects the data on its way between your end device and the VPN server, where it is then integrated into the RWTH network. In the “Full Tunnel”, for example, requests from your device for external services appear with an IP address of RWTH Aachen University. In this article, we explain how you can set up and use the RWTH VPN service.
IT Knowledge for Scrolling – Our Instagram Channel @itcenterrwthaachen
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Right at the start of 2025, we launched something completely new: Our Instagram channel @itcenterrwthaachen is live!
Since January 6, 2025, the IT Center of RWTH Aachen University has also been on Instagram – and we are delighted to welcome everyone who already follows us there, interacts with us or simply visits us regularly.
Neural Networks – The Basis of Modern AI
Source: Freepik
Neural networks are models inspired by the functioning of the human brain. They consist of artificial neurons that process information and communicate with each other. These networks enable machines to learn from data and recognise patterns without any explicit programming for each task. Examples include virtual assistants such as Alexa and Siri, translation tools such as Google Translate and creative AI systems such as ChatGPT. In this article, we will look at how neural networks work, what advantages and disadvantages they have and how RWTH Aachen University uses them.
Microsoft Office at RWTH: An Overview
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Progressive digitalisation and flexible adaptation to new circumstances have significantly changed everyday working life, studies and research at RWTH Aachen University since spring 2020. Without the right tools, communication and collaboration between members of RWTH would have been much more limited in times of home office and distance learning.
New Certification Authority: From Sectigo to Harica
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The time has come! Since April 1, 2025, user certificates (S/MIME) can again be requested in the RA-Portal. After our previous certificate provider, Sectigo, terminated its contract on January 10, 2025, we now have a new provider. The German Research Network (DFN) and GÉANT have contracted a new provider for public-key certificates. The choice fell on the Greek trusted provider HARICA (Hellenic Academic & Research Institutions Certification Authority). HARICA is a certification authority of the Greek university network GUnet, is specially optimized for research institutions and meets the highest security standards.
Effective Backup Strategies: Correct Data Backup
Source: Freepik
Backing up important professional or private files, such as texts, images and other documents, is essential. Data loss can have catastrophic consequences, whether caused by technical mishaps, accidental deletion or even hardware theft. Data loss can also be caused by viruses or hacker attacks. Viruses can, for example, encrypt the hard drive and then demand a ransom. Here are some proven strategies and tools to ensure that your data always remains safe and accessible. You can also take a look at the category IT-Security on our website to find out more tips.
The Printing Service at the IT Center Is Extending Its Hours!
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We have great news for you! Starting April 1, 2025, we are extending our hours: The printing service will be available Monday to Friday for RWTH institutions!
