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IT Help and Support

University Information Services
 
The Managed Cluster Service (MCS) closed on 1 August 2023. From this date MCS Windows, macOS and Linux computers were disabled. Many MCS sites migrated to the University Managed Desktop (UMD) service during the summer of 2023. Access to supporting services such as DS-FileStore and DS-Print were not affected by the MCS closure.

The Managed Cluster Service (MCS) is earmarked for evolution as part of the future of managed desktops from UIS; we are currently planning to deliver a new Desktop as a Service (DaaS) offering.

The MCS is now in 'maintenance mode' to allow us to focus our development resource on delivering the new Desktop as a Service.

The MCS will, of course, be patched and kept secured, but there are two important changes for IT managers and teaching staff to note:
 

1. Changes to enhancement requests

All requests for future enhancements to the current MCS service will now only consider changes to applications that need updating due to expiration of licencing, or a security vulnerability, or a change to an application which MUST be implemented to maintain its functionality.

How to make an enhancement request

To make an enhancement request, contact the Desktop & Systems Manager: 

All requests MUST include the following information:

  1. application affected
  2. date needed
  3. teaching requirement
  4. contact details.

You should expect a response within 7 working days.
 

2. Changes to new supported MCS hardware

       Only PCs selected from the University Dell Premier page are now accepted on the MCS.

      Apple computers added to the MCS from academic year 19/20 onwards must be available in the University of Cambridge device enrolment programme (DEP) pool.
 

Please see the following pages for more details:

https://help.uis.cam.ac.uk/service/desktop-services/mcs/for-it-staff/mcsinsitutsupport 

https://help.uis.cam.ac.uk/service/help-support/mac-support/appleinenterprise

 

MCS applications required for teaching

      All teaching must be tested well in advance on an MCS Workstation with the currently available application.

 

MCS support requests

General MCS support requests – i.e. anything that was working and has now stopped must be made via the UIS Service Desk:

 | 01223 (3)32999