Supporting Windows NT as physics workstations and servers Original Research Article

Since 1992 CERN has had a support infrastructure for PC based desktop systems. This has evolved with the generations of the Windows operating system from Windows 3.1, through Windows 95 and now NT 4. With each evolution we have maintained a consistent architecture to provide integrated network services maximising the transfer and sharing of information. The architecture is aligned with the organisational needs of high levels of support to the increasing numbers of CERN users together with keeping the costs under control. Managing change is a fundamental concept in the architecture and asset management techniques allow the effects of introducing and changing software packages to be predicted. This paper will deal with the techniques used to support Windows NT as an integrated element within the architecture. Concepts of delegation of responsibility and control will be discussed which allow Physics experiments to gain benefit from the general infrastructure whilst being able to add value.