Access to the EMU servers

NOTE: Before using the information on this page, please be sure you have read and assimilated the Web Standards Guide information related to the care and feeding of official EMU web sites! It is critical that you understand and accept EMU's web standards before you request access to work on an EMU web site. Thank you.

> > > The web directory access agreement form is here.
> > > Student Organizations wishing to host web sites: Click HERE
> > > The directory access form for Student Organizations is here.
> > > The two forms for affiliated Community and Professional organizations seeking hosting privileges are here: Hosting Agreement | Access Agreement

Eastern Michigan University provides directory access on its web servers (www.emich.edu domain) to authorized users. SFTP and SSH (secure shell) directory access privileges are granted for the purpose of developing and maintaining official EMU Web sites only (except in the case of personal or student organization pages, which are handled separately; review the section on UNofficial web sites under What Are Official Web Sites. We also provide hosting privileges to affiliated community and professional organizations whose missions are congruent with the EMU mission. Contact the director of Web Communications and New Media for details).

Access accounts are assigned to individuals only, and are not to be shared under any circumstances. Therefore, if more than one person needs access to a directory, each individual will be given a separate access account. Individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible to become authorized users for official sites:

• The individual must be a current EMU student, faculty or staff member, OR an authorized agent of the University. (Authorized agents must be pre-approved by the director of Web Communications or an EMU dean or area director. All user authorizations must be submitted to the director of Web Communications.)
• The individual must obtain express approval from their area director or dean to access, modify, maintain and develop the department/area web site and all files in the department's directory or specified subdirectory. (A section is provided on the Web Directory Access Agreement form (PDF) for director/dean approval.)
• The individual must have or obtain the skills necessary to use relevant software and SFTP (and SSH as needed), and to update and maintain the files in the department's www directory/subdirectories.
• The individual must understand and agree to the regulations and procedures detailed in this online web standards guide, particularly the following sections:
• Official vs. Unofficial web sites
• Required Site Elements
• Obtaining and Using the Templates
• Using Logos and Wordmarks
• Images and Graphics (ref. the section on EMU graphics standards)
• EMU Policies Related to Web Development
• Obtaining Approval for New Sites

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Authorized users must accept the specific responsibilities that accompany server/directory access privileges. For a list of these responsibilities, download and fill out the form we use to authorize directory access: the Web Directory Access Agreement (PDF). After you have signed the Acceptance section and your area director or dean has signed the Authorization section, return the form to 18 Welch Hall so that your account can be set up. Within approximately 10 working days of receipt of your completed form, the director of Web Communications and New Media will notify you, via e-mail, of your access privileges and details.

NOTE: If you are developing a new official web site or substantially redeveloping an existing site, we recommend that you set up your site development on our testing/staging server before launching it to our production servers. Check the appropriate box on the Web Directory Access Agreement form.

Developers of new sites should also contact the director of Web Communications and New Media for consultation prior to the development of their sites. This helps ensure compliance with EMU's guidelines and standards.

Uploading and Downloading Files (SFTP / SSH)

Eastern Michigan University has converted to a "secure" protocol for server file transfers. Therefore, after you have obtained an authorized account for server access (PDF download), you will need to do one of the following:

1. (Recommended option) Use a web editor that supports SFTP, such as Dreamweaver MX 2004 or Studio 8 version. Click here for a screenshot of what the Dreamweaver SFTP client looks like with data entered.
OR
2. Have a "client" program on your computer that allows you to "bridge" your web editor and use SFTP / SSH to transfer files to and from your server directory. (NOTE: If you are using Dreamweaver MX [pre-2004 version] to create and maintain your web pages, you will be able to set up a bridge to use the built-in FTP client in that program for transfers to and from the server. This does require an additional download, and a couple of minutes to set up the configuration. Click here for details.) OR
3. Use a separate SFTP/SSH client. The following SFTP / SSH clients are recommended for use at EMU:

For PC Users:

We recommend the free clients PuTTy and WinSCP for SFTP and SSH. In order to configure these programs properly, we strongly recommend that you download the customized SSH suite with FileZilla at the EMU site. Download and configuration takes just a couple of minutes and no technical knowledge. Step-by-step instructions are here.

Other viable options include CuteFTP Pro and SecureFX. These are well-designed, graphical-user-interface clients, but these clients are only available for purchase (~$60/each).

For MAC Users:

We recommend Fugu as a free, GUI (graphical-user-interface) client for Mac SFTP. Please note that all the Mac SFTP clients work in OS X (10) ONLY:

Fugu download site (requires Mac OS X.2 or higher)

NEW, Summer 2005: Fetch Softworks has released Fetch 5, which supports SFTP and is Mac OSX.2+ native. Normally, it costs $25, but EMU has a site license that allows developers of official sites to use the client for FREE. Authorized users should contact the director of Web Communications to obtain the serial name and number.

There are also very good SFTP clients for Mac that are cheap (only $25/each). These include:

Transmit from Panic.com (highly recommended) and
MacSFTP Carbon from macssh.com
Developers of unofficial sites may also obtain Fetch 5 for $25 here (the client is free for official sites).

All programs come with full support, and are well worth the $ (note that they only work in OS X). If you need an SSH client, we recommend MacSSH from macssh.com. It's free.

Database Access (MySQL) and Application Development

EMU Departments with a full-time staff member (NOT a GA, student or temporary employee) who has proficient relational database management and PHP development skills can request access to a MySQL database for their PHP-enhanced web site hosted on www.emich.edu. Go to www.emich.edu/mysql and login using your my.emich user ID and password. Complete instructions and a consent form are located on the site. Technical questions regarding database access and use should be directed to the EMU Technical Webmaster.

Questions about this site should be referred to the director of Web Communications and New Media.