DiscoverIT Help Desk
The DiscoverIT Help Desk provides IT support within the Discovery Building.
8 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday
608-316-4911
Room B1231
DoIT Help Desk
The DoIT Help Desk provides support to students, faculty, and staff at UW-Madison on general computing issues and various UW applications.
7 am – 11 pm Monday – Sunday
608-264-HELP (4357)
1210 W Dayton Street (7:45 am – 8 pm Monday – Friday)
WID IT
- All
- Cybersecurity
- Data Storage
- Emailing, Calendaring, and Collaboration
- IT Support
- Networks, Printing, and Phones
- Research Computing
- Software
- Websites and Databases
- WID Access and Accounts
The UW provides enterprise licensed cloud services, university-wide file storage, and department or lab-specific solutions. Most fee-for-service UW storage options are allocated PI-by-PI within their home department, not WID.
Box: https://it.wisc.edu/services/box/
UW–Madison provides free online file storage and collaboration service using Box cloud file storage. Box provides a place to store and access files needed for active collaboration, integrated within process workflows. All new individual Box accounts and project directories are provisioned with a 50GB storage quota. UW–Madison Box should not be used for long-term storage or a backup repository.
Google Workspace: https://it.wisc.edu/services/google-workspace/
UW–Madison Google Workspace is a collection of cloud-based productivity and collaborative tools including: Google Drive, Shared Drives, Docs, Sheets, Gemini, NotebookLM and more.
OneDrive for Business: https://kb.wisc.edu/74569
OneDrive for Business is Microsoft 365’s secure cloud storage service. It allows you to:
- Store work files in the cloud
- Access files from anywhere, on any device
- Share files securely with coworkers and external partners
- Collaborate in real time using Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
ResearchDrive: https://it.wisc.edu/services/researchdrive/
Provides secure, shareable storage space on the UW–Madison campus network. ResearchDrive is a university-wide file storage solution for Faculty PIs, permanent PIs, and their research group members. It is suited for a variety of research purposes, including backup, archive, storage for data inputs/outputs of research computing and others. It is a secure and permanent place for keeping data.
The following options are supported directly by campus and are generally used by departments or administrators.
Block: https://it.wisc.edu/services/storage-block/
Bucky Backup: https://it.wisc.edu/services/backup-bucky-backup/
Bucky Backup is a flexible backup and recovery solution that utilizes IBM’s Storage Protect (formerly Spectrum Protect).
File: https://it.wisc.edu/services/storage-file/
Object/S3: https://it.wisc.edu/services/storage-object-s3/
PIs and their designated staff members can submit requests to add, modify, and remove IT and building access using WID Access.
The Researcher Toolkit is a resource for UW-Madison faculty, staff, and student researchers that points to helpful resources for each phase of your research project.
UW–Madison documents their services, policies, and where to get help at: https://it.wisc.edu/ai/.
Some essential things to note:
- Enterprise Licenses are available for Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, NotebookLM, Webex AI Assistant, and Zoom AI. These are provided for no cost but do have policies regarding institutional data (content) and must be used with NetID account.
- Subscription based services for AWS and Microsoft Azure are available, but you must complete an evaluation to use them with sensitive or restricted data.
- Never enter sensitive or restricted data into unvetted AI (or any other) services.
- Everyone is responsible for knowing and following relevant UW–Madison, Departmental, and Unit policies before using AI resources.
The Campus Software Library is available at https://software.wisc.edu/. Per the site:
The software available here is licensed under various agreements for your use. The license agreements covering use of this software give you the right to install it on UW-owned computers, and in some cases, on personally-owned computers as well.
UW–Madison provides WiscWeb:
WiscWeb is a platform for creating and maintaining a UW-Madison branded website. Sites using WiscWeb are built with the new UW Theme 2.0 and hosted in the cloud for fast performance and high availability. Build out your site in private mode, then schedule an official launch when the site is ready to be public. Our team is here to help you if you get stuck along the way.
Contact someone in WID Communications if you would like assistance working with WiscWeb.
See it.wisc.edu/services/email-and-calendar/ for more information.
All UW–Madison faculty, staff, and students receive free @wisc.edu email accounts. Departments and other groups on campus can also request branded email addresses (e.g., @department.wisc.edu).
Eduroam Wi-Fi is available across campus and in the Discovery Building. For specific instructions using your UW NetID, see https://it.wisc.edu/services/wireless-eduroam/.
Eduroam is a secure, worldwide, federated network access service developed for the international research and education community. It allows affiliates from participating institutions to obtain Internet connectivity on the UW–Madison campus and when visiting any of the eduroam-enabled institutions around the world.
Information on reporting an incident related to UW Cybersecurity is available at:
https://it.wisc.edu/reporting-an-incident-to-it-security/
It is important that you directly communicate via phone or chat with the DoIT Help Desk or the Network Operations Center (NOC). If the Help Desk is closed, press 0 for “report to NOC” to ensure that your incident has been received.
UW Cloud Services supports several public cloud computing services. These services are all documented in the same Knowledgebase: https://kb.wisc.edu/public-cloud/.
- Amazon Web Services: https://it.wisc.edu/services/amazon-web-services/
- Google Cloud Platform: https://it.wisc.edu/services/google-cloud-platform/
- Microsoft Azure: https://it.wisc.edu/services/microsoft-azure/
WID Access allows PIs, Lab Managers, and Admin staff to control who has access to WID’s IT and building resources. Use it to add, modify, and remove access for lab members, affiliates, and visitors. Contact Em to add or modify permissions or views within WID Access.
WID Access URL: https://access.wid.wisc.edu
WID Access Prerequisites
All UW and WID IT and Discovery Building access require an active UW NetID. If the person you are adding access for does not have an active NetID, the following self-service links may also be helpful for them:
- To activate a NetID: https://kb.wisc.edu/iam/internal/page.php?id=1140
- To recover a NetID: https://www.mynetid.wisc.edu/recover/netidRecovery
If they are new to the UW or a Non-UW Affiliate, contact WID HR.
All secured UW–Madison spaces including the Discovery Building require an active Wiscard. Discovery Building access cannot be granted until a Wiscard has been activated. Access is automatically revoked upon graduation or the completion of UW employment. Once OHR determines that a Wiscard is closed, WID cannot independently reactivate access.
WID Access Requests
All access requests can being with the navigation link “Start Request”. This page requires a UW NetID. After submitting a NetID, the “Submit Request” page will display UW–Madison Information and WID Information as available. Always double check that the displayed information correlates to correct person.
If someone is currently in a group you manage, you will be able to navigate to the “Submit Request” page from your group’s page without entering a NetID.
Note: Each person can update their own First Name, Last Name, and Email using https://profile.wisc.edu/. This can change the CAPITALIZATION, Name in Use (Preferred Name), and preferred email address. The WID Access program will find updates periodically.
See https://widkipedia.wid.wisc.edu/faq-items/what-happens-to-my-access-when-i-leave/ for more information on access when someone leaves UW–Madison.
Add or Update
To add new access, modify exiting access, extend access after graduation, or partially remove access, select this option.
Access Types:
- Discovery Building Access: Requires a current, active Wiscard. To limit access to “Building Hours” (M-F 7a-8p, Sat 9a-8p) or add access beyond your group default, list it in Building Access Notes
- Discovery Building Workspace: All cubicles and offices within WID are assigned by WID Admin and require Discovery Building Access.
- WID IT Access: Required for accessing all WID data storage, compute resources, printing, Wi-fi, the WIDkipedia, and reimbursements.
- WID Web Profile: Inclusion in https://wid.wisc.edu/people/
- WID Payroll: Payroll is through WID HR
- WIDite Status: WIDites are members of your lab. They are included in the All WID emails and invited to All Hands, seminars, symposia, and picnics.
- Extend WID Access: If someone is leaving UW–Madison (e.g. graduating or completing their employment) and you need to extend their access (e.g. complete a paper), select this option. Include the circumstances and expected duration in the “Additional Information” field. You must provide a non-Wisc email address to extend access for anyone leaving the UW.
Closeout
When someone has completely left WID, select the Closeout action. By default, WID Admin will email all people marked for closeout to provide one week notice along with instructions.
View Requests
With the “View Requests” link in the navigation header, you can see the history and current status of any request you or your lab have submitted. If the request is not complete, you can add a question or comment.
Group Management
For each group you manage, you can see the group’s members and DataVault Projects. Start at the “My Groups” link in the navigation header. Contact Em to add or remove group administrators. New DataVault projects and quota modifications are still handled by https://datastorage.discovery.wisc.edu/.
WID Access Administration Documentation
Developer documentation for each site within UW–Madison’s instance of BettyBlocks must be available online. The documentation for WID Access is available within the WID Admin shared drive in Z:\IT\WID Access.
These servers have a variety of configurations, may limit logins by lab membership, and are in the .discovery.wisc.edu domain unless otherwise noted. All servers run the OS Rocky 8 and mount a building-wide DataVault space under /mnt/dv/wid/ for shared project files. Most servers have local disk space available in /scratch that is NOT backed up and run Hyper-Threaded cores and display twice the number of physical cores as processors.
The DiscoverIT Ganglia page displays current and historical server usage at https://ganglia.discovery.wisc.edu/
If you have questions or would like to purchase a new server, email Em Craft.
| Host Name | Cores | Memory (GiB) | Date of Purchase | Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| jolab-01 | 96 | 251.2 | 2022/12/08 | Dell PowerEdge R450 |
| kamilov-gpu-1 | 96 | 512 | 2026/03/13 | Supermicro SYS ASUS ESC8000A-E13P |
| opt-a001 | 80 | 251.69 | 2014/06/16 | Dell PowerEdge R820 |
| opt-a002 | 72 | 754.33 | 2019/08/26 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 |
| opt-a003 | 72 | 754.33 | 2019/08/26 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 |
| opt-a004 | 72 | 754.33 | 2019/08/26 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R740 |
| opt-a005 | 80 | 251.69 | 2014/06/16 | Dell PowerEdge R820 |
| opt-a006 | 72 | 503.19 | 2021/05/20 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R750 |
| opt-a007 | 128 | 1055.98 | 2023/08/24 | Supermicro SYS-421GE-TNRT |
| rogers-gpu-1 | 48 | 98.43 | 2023/05/31 | King Star SYS-740GP-TNRT |
| roy-exec-1 | 40 | 755.62 | 2017/08/29 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R630 |
| roy-exec-2 | 40 | 755.62 | 2017/08/29 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R630 |
| roy-exec-3 | 112 | 62.74 | 2019/04/18 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R840 |
| roy-exec-4 | 56 | 62.74 | 2019/04/18 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R840 |
| roy-exec-5 | 112 | 1007.13 | 2019/04/18 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R840 |
| roy-exec-8 | 144 | 1505.28 | 2020/07/08 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R840 |
| roy-exec-9 | 112 | 503.19 | 2021/11/24 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R750xa |
| roy-exec-10 | 96 | 2112.69 | 2024/02/01 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R750 |
| roy-exec-11 | 96 | 2112.69 | 2024/02/01 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R750 |
| roy-submit | 40 | 251.69 | 2014/05/15 | Dell PowerEdge R820 |
| solislemus-001 | 72 | 1007.3 | 2019/07/14 | Dell EMC PowerEdge R640 |
| submit1.wid.wisc.edu | 4 | 16.12 | N/A | Virtual Host |
High Throughput, High Performance Computing
Our building has its own compute cluster, which utilizes the HTCondor queuing software. Cluster documentation on running and submitting jobs can be found at: https://kb.wisc.edu/discovery/page.php?id=56602.
CHTC also provides How To’s on running condor jobs at: https://chtc.cs.wisc.edu/uw-research-computing/how-tos.html
Condor jobs to the Discovery Condor Pool should be started from submit1.wid.wisc.edu. Add the following line to your submit file to get the highest priority for your job:
+group = “WID”
Research Software
DiscoverIT staff encourage users to install and compile their desired software (and version) within their project directory. This allows specific, consistent, on-demand, version-locked software packages to be available for all types of research. If you would like help with installing software for your use on the Discovery Compute Cluster, email support@discovery.wisc.edu.
Some software packages, like Matlab, are installed centrally if they require a license or are particularly difficult to install. See
https://kb.wisc.edu/discovery/130167 for more information on Modules.
Optimization Cluster Software
Email support@discovery.wisc.edu if you need additional software installed.
Local Python Libraries: Cython, Ipython, numexpr, scipy, pytables, matplotlib
Licensed Software in /progs: ampl, CPLEX, Gams, Gurobi, MATLAB
NOTE: Additional software is available in /mnt/ws/progs
CPLEX Environment Variables:
export ILOG_LICENSE_FILE=/progs/CPLEX_Studio/access.ilm
PATH=${PATH}:/progs/CPLEX_Studio/cplex/bin/x86-64_sles10_4.1
Gurobi Environment Variables:
(Gurobi is currently (12/15/15) at v6.5)
export GUROBI_HOME="/progs/gurobi/linux64"
export PATH="${PATH}:${GUROBI_HOME}/bin"
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}:${GUROBI_HOME}/lib"
export GRB_LICENSE_FILE="/progs/gurobi/gurobi.lic"
For increased priority running HTCondor jobs on the Optimization Cluster, add the following line to your submit file:
+WIDsTheme = "Optimization"
If you need to utilize all the resources on an optimization machine, you are able to turn off condor by running:
/usr/sbin/condor_off -peaceful
. If you need to stop all currently running condor jobs NOW, you can leave off -peaceful but that may kill very long running jobs. Once you are done with your work, please remember to run:
/usr/sbin/condor_on
You must either be in the Discovery Building or use the WID UW VPN to access these. If you are unsure if you’re on the right network, try to access: https://myaccount.discovery.wisc.edu/. That website is also ONLY available on the Discovery Network.
Research Data Storage (a.k.a. The DataVault)
Data generated for WID research projects is stored in project-specific directories on the DataVault.
Access
Note: If you are connecting to these drives via a non-Morgridge/DiscoverIT domain machine, you must add morgridge.net to the end of your DiscoverIT user name (i.e. username@morgridge.net).
- From Windows: \\datavault.discovery.wisc.edu\wid\
- From OSX/Mac: smb://datavault.discovery.wisc.edu/wid/
- From Research Computers: /mnt/dv/wid/
Large Data Transfers
The DataVault endpoint on Globus is DataVault – Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. See the full KnowledgeBase article for more information on transferring data over Globus.
Creation and Modification
The size and location of each project folder is determined when the project is initialized at:
To create a new project, you need the PI’s name, expected total size of the data, who needs access, and whether this project has a known end date. If you need to modify an existing project’s quota or user access list, either update the project in https://datastorage.discovery.wisc.edu/ or email Em Craft.
To view the current usage of each project and volume, visit: https://grafana.discovery.wisc.edu (only accessible from the Discovery Building Network).
Backups and Archiving
The DataVault is backed up off-site via rsnapshot (a wrapper for rsync). If files have been accidentally deleted, contact DiscoverIT ASAP as backups may not still be available after 30 days. You can also connect to it from your computer via SMB.
Once a project is complete, we will work with you to archive it.
There are currently 7 WID DataVault volumes. These must remain less than 80% utilized to enable proper function, backups, and maintenance. More volumes must be purchased when all existing ones are over 50% allocated.
Home Directories
Every WID user has access to a DiscoverIT-managed Home Directory for files that are not part of a research project:
- From Windows: \\home.discovery.wisc.edu\users\username
- From OSX/Mac: smb://home.discovery.wisc.edu/users/username
- From Research Computers: /mnt/home/username
The default quota for WID Home Directories is 50 GB. Faculty may request an increase to 500 GB.
WIDAdmin Storage
Note: This is a campus drive and uses your campus login.
You must add “ad\” before your NetID: e.g. “ad\bbadger”.
- From Windows: \\wid.drive.wisc.edu\adminteam
- From OSX/Mac: smb://wid.drive.wisc.edu/adminteam
DoIT Help Desk
The DoIT Help Desk provides support to students, faculty, and staff at UW-Madison on general computing issues and various UW applications.
7 am – 11 pm Monday – Sunday
608-264-HELP (4357)
1210 W Dayton Street (7:45 am – 8 pm Monday – Friday)
When you need to order a new computer, download and fill out: Discovery Computer Request. Once complete, either use the submit button within the PDF or email the form to fast@wid.wisc.edu.
DiscoverIT Help Desk
The DiscoverIT Help Desk provides IT support within the Discovery Building.
8 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday
608-316-4911
Room B1231
Supported Operating Systems are listed at https://kb.wisc.edu/discovery/81365. The default productivity and security software installed are listed at https://kb.wisc.edu/discovery/163120. Common add-ons including Anaconda, CellProfiler, ImageJ, Java, MatLab, and R/R Studio are available on request. Some software may require purchasing a license.
For additional software or documentation, email service@discovery.wisc.edu.
UW–Madison primarily offers Google Groups for managing email lists. To create Google Groups using your UW–Madison Google Workspace account, you must use the UW interface.
Google Groups is a service that can be used to send mass email, grant group members permission to Google files, collaborate with colleagues and more.
If WiscWeb hosting does not meet your needs, DiscoverIT may be able to provide a WordPress or shiny app webserver. Their policies are available at: https://kb.wisc.edu/discovery/62017.
DiscoverIT supports 12 printers for use by Discovery Building occupants. This includes a color scanner/printer per kitchenette and 2 44” plotters for posters. Documentation on connecting to these printers is available on the Discovery Building KB: kb.wisc.edu/discovery/search.php?cat=6306. Each non-poster print project is first submitted to the print queue before you pick it up at one of the printers by signing in with your WisCard. If your printing project is not related to WID or WID research, use one of the other campus printing options (it.wisc.edu/services/printing/).
Color Printing Notification
If you’ve been printing significant amounts of color print jobs, you may receive the following email:
You are receiving this email because you printed more than 100 color pages over the last several weeks at WID. Please be aware that color printing costs 7x more than black and white. We understand that color printing is sometimes necessary, but please make sure your default printing is black and white:
- Create a Black and White Printing Preset on Mac
- Set up two print queues (B&W, color) for a PC
- Printing for Ubuntu Linux
Some large color print jobs, such as brochures and handouts, are best done by the campus print shops. We use them routinely as they have fast turnaround and their printers are better quality. Pat Pointer can answer any questions you have.
DiscoverIT maintains instructions for connecting your iPhone or Android device at: https://kb.wisc.edu/discovery/69548
To update your Discovery password and account information, you must be on the Discovery Building Network or UW WID VPN. Visit https://myaccount.discovery.wisc.edu/. This password is your means of accessing the DataVault, building printers and wifi, and building compute resources.
The current minimum character limit is 12. Unfortunately, 8 character minimums permit passwords that can be cracked in a couple hours or less. For all the details on your DiscoverIT password, see: https://kb.wisc.edu/discovery/112995
To test the security of any of your passwords, visit https://howsecureismypassword.net/. (This site does not store your password.)
If you’ve been keeping track of too many passwords, consider using a password manager. UW-Madison provides 1Password licenses to students, staff, and faculty. It allows you to maintain separate campus and personal accounts.
UW-Madison
If you no longer have a UW-Madison affiliation, IT services like:
- Office 365
- Zoom
- Box
- Qualtrics
will be deactivated according to UW timelines as shown in https://kb.wisc.edu/79844. If you need these to be extended because of ongoing work with WID, contact Johnny Wertz as soon as possible.
Discovery Building Access
Discovery Building access will remain active until the campus disables your UWID or your access is removed by your lab manager or Principal Investigator.
DiscoverIT Resources
Once your lab manager or PI identifies that you have left WID, you will receive an email with the account deactivation process. You will have two weeks to return equipment and copy data. Once two weeks have passed, your IT account and building access will be locked. If you do not join a lab within six months, your IT account and affiliated files will be deleted.
The Discovery Building phones are part of the Campus, Cisco VoIP program.
Their dialing patterns are:
| Call Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Campus or local state agency | seven-digit number | 262-4357 |
| Local calls | 1 and seven-digit local number | 1-555-1234 |
| Toll-free calls | 1 and 1 and ten-digit number | 1-1-800-555-1234 |
| Long distance calls | 1 and 1 and ten-digit number | 1-1-212-555-1234 |
| International call to a country in the North American Dialing Plan (like Canada, Jamaica) Note: International calling must be enabled per phone line. |
1 and 1 and ten-digit number | 1-1-416-555-1234 |
| International call to all other countries Note: International calling must be enabled per phone line. |
1 and 011 and country code and city/area code and number | 1 011 44 303 123 7300 |
| Emergency call | 911 | 911 |
| Block caller ID local call | 1 and *67 and seven-digit local number | 1-*67-555-1234 |
| Block caller ID long-distance call | 1 and *67 and 1 and ten-digit number | 1-*67-1-212-555-1234 |
| Public Service Call | 1 and 3-digit number | 1-211 |
