General Computing Environment
The department's computing environment includes over 1000 computers, ranging from older systems used for generating network traffic for simulated Internet experiments to state-of-the-art workstations and clusters for graphics- and compute-intensive research. Departmental servers provide compute service, disk space, email, CVS (version control software), web service, database services, backups, and many other services. All systems are integrated by means of high-speed networks, described below, and are supported by a highly skilled technical staff who provide a consistent computing environment throughout the department. Most students are assigned to a two- or three-person office, though we also have one larger office that can hold ten students. Each student is assigned a computer, with computer assignments based on the students' research or teaching assignments and their seniority within the department. In addition to the departmental servers and office systems, our research laboratories contain a wide variety of specialized equipment and facilities.

General computing systems include 800+ Intel-based computers plus about 40 Macintosh systems. The department's most powerful system is the Biomedical Analysis and Simulation Supercomputer (BASS, pronounced like base), which consists of 452 CPUs tightly coupled to each other and to 180 GPU Computing Processors that function as image and geometry calculation accelerators, providing the equivalent computing power of over thirteen thousand processors for image-intensive applications.

Software Environment
Our systems primarily run the Windows XP operating system, with a smaller number of systems, including many of the servers, running Red Hat Linux. In addition, a large number of network research systems run FreeBSD. We use the AFS file system for central file storage. Languages most commonly used include J++, C++, Java, and C. Document preparation is usually accomplished with standard applications on PC systems. Our extensive software holdings are continually evolving.

Network Environment
The department's computer systems are connected to one another by a high-speed data network. The network provides switched 100 megabit connections to every desktop, plus fiber, video, and multiple voice and data connections in each office. Many special purpose systems and switches use gigabit connections, which are available throughout the department, and Internet II connections are available as well. The entire department is on the campus wireless network.

The department's network is connected to the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NC-REN), a statewide network that links research and educational institutions. Our two-way video classroom and teleconference room allow connection to any institution served by the network.