The Standards Lab is available as a resource for IT staff who wish to test specific applications or services within a controlled environment. It is maintained and administered by ISC Client Care and is equipped with desktop computers that match Penn's Desktop Recommendations over a four-year cycle. Configured with operating systems that reflect the installed base of systems on campus, these systems provide a test environment for campus evaluation teams, for development of Penn software installers, and for schools and units interested in testing new applications for deployment on campus.
The Standards lab supports ethernet connectivity testing under both static and dynamic (DHCP) IP addressing. It also supports testing using a NAT network, provided by a consumer access point in order to mimic the operation of a home network. It is equipped with 6 Windows and 4 Macintosh desktops. Also available are a number of Windows- and macOS-based laptop computers and an AppleTV. New systems are added and removed from the lab on a four-year cycle, although a limited amount of older hardware is kept on site in storage as needed.
Standards Lab configurations
Each system in the lab has multiple configurations that can be rapidly deployed via imaging software. The default configuration is a "clean" and patched install of the operating system that the system was shipped with, though for each system there are alternate configurations available. Because images can be quickly re-deployed the Standards Lab is an ideal "sandbox" environment for performing tests that might risk damaging the operating system or otherwise normal operation of a computer.
Custom configurations are available on request; we are highly flexible in what we can provide in terms of environments. Let us know what you need out of the Standards Lab, and we will be happy to work with you to tailor it specifically to your testing needs. In addition to customized hardware, operating system, and software configuration, we can also configure the network to be either isolated or open as needed. We will also work with Local Support Providers that wish to test their hardware in the lab, or install software owned by their department on Standards Lab equipment as needed.
Consulting services
In addition to providing an open testing environment to the University IT community, Standards Lab staff are happy to share their knowledge of or provide additional testing with the technology in the lab. Areas of expertise and previous projects include:
- Using DeployStudio and DeployStudioPC to image Windows and Macintosh systems
- Providing in-the-field consulting on configuring 2nd- and 3rd-generation AppleTVs to work with AirPennNet and AirPlay
- Joining Standards Lab equipment to external domains to help identify problems therein
How to reserve the Standards Lab
Use of any Standards Lab resources are free of charge, but Local Support Providers interested in using the Standards Lab should contact ISC Client Care (215.898.1000, help@isc.upenn.edu) to request access to the lab and to confirm availability and reserve time. Requests for customized environments should be made at least two business days in advance to allow adequate time for preparation.
The following is a list of currently available systems in the Standards Lab:
Desktop Systems
Desktop Recommendations 2016/2017:
- Apple iMac all-in-one (4 year), Core i5, 8.0 GB RAM
- Images available: macOS 10.12.x, 10.11.x, 10.10.x, 10.9.x
- Dell OptiPlex 7440 all-in-one (4 year), Core i7, 8.0 GB RAM
- Images available: Windows 10 64-bit
Desktop Recommendations 2015/2016:
- Apple iMac all-in-one (4 year), Core i5, 8.0 GB RAM
- Images available: macOS 10.12.x, 10.11.x, 10.10.x, 10.9.x
- Dell OptiPlex 9020 mini (4 year), Core i7, 8.0 GB RAM
- Images available: Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 7 64-bit
Desktop Recommendations 2014/2015:
- Apple iMac all-in-one (4 year), Core i5, 8.0 GB RAM
- Images available: macOS 10.12.x, 10.11.x, 10.10.x, 10.9.x
- Dell OptiPlex 9020 mini (4 year), Core i7, 8.0 GB RAM
- Images available: Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 7 64-bit
Desktop Recommendations 2013/2014:
- Apple Macintosh Pro (4 year), Xeon E5, 12.0 GB RAM
- Images available: macOS 10.12.x, 10.11.x, 10.10.x, 10.9.x
- Dell OptiPlex 9010 all-in-one (4 year), Core i7, 8.0 GB RAM
- Images available: Windows 8.1 64-bit
Previous Desktop Recommendations:
- Dell OptiPlex 9010 small form factor (4 year), Core i7, 8.0 GB RAM
- Images available: Windows 7 SP1 64-bit
- Dell OptiPlex 990 small form factor (4 year), Core i7, 4.0 GB RAM
- Images available: Windows 7 SP1 64-bit
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M91 (4 year), Core i7, 8.0 GB RAM, configured with 27" Dell Multi-touch monitor
- Images available: Windows 7 SP1 64-bit, Windows 8 RTM