Computing & Networking Services

C.T.I. is a Research Institute at which the latest technological developments are collected, evaluated and developed. C.T.I.'s staff has the capability to use high quality services that are supported by the latest technological computing systems.

These systems include 4 routers, gigabit και fast ethernet switches (for the faster and more reliable connection to the Internet and for the creation of C.T.I.'s internal network connection), 20 main servers (with an operating systems of Solaris, FreeBSD, MS-Windows, Linux etc), 30 printers of all kinds (inkjet, laser, color laser, plotters) that are used for the support of a multitude of computer and network services such as dns, www, proxy, email, news, active directory services with domain controllers, network monitoring, authentication, certification, printing, file storage etc as well as special purpose systems that are used for teleconference calls, tele-education, webcasting, video on demand, pc2phone and VoIP services, video editing, document management etc. These services are accessed by about 400 workstations (desktops, notebooks).

The Heterogeneous distributed environment of of C.T.I.'s enterprise network, which is currently installed in 3 buildings (two in Rion and one in Athens), is all interconnected with the new building in Rio at its backbone (Patras University Campus) in 1 Gbps and 1Mbps lines, and is suitable for workers who move frequently and wish to have all the services offered regardless of where in the building they are currently at. At these buildings the workers are able to call their colleague in any building with internal (company) phone using VoIP technology, participate in teleconferences, to transparently print texts to any printer of every building the user wants regardless of the users location.

Every C.T.I. employee can connect to C.T.I.'s internal network using vpn services from their homes. There is also mobile office capabilities, in other words the ability to connect from anywhere and use all the services (file, printing, same phone number) from the user's original workspace, even when not using his personal computer. The process of changing the user's personal computer settings has been reduced to a minimum, by the use of automatic performance network parameters when using the dhcp service. So, in order to work from his office remotely, all the user needs is for his personal workspace computer to be activated and online.

Security Infrastructures

Each employee has their own digital signature to enable encryption and authentication of his messages from every other employee.

The communication between C.T.I. servers and services is accomplished by using the Kerberos protocol. This service is provided by a server in C.T.I.'s computer center, which issues and certificates the institute's users, to secure their access to specific services that require maximum security, while certifying the authenticity of messages sent, both in terms of content (that it has not been altered), as well as sender. Virus and attack detection systems are also operating in C.T.I.'s network.

Finally, C.T.I.'s internal network, uses a two firewall systems which protect it from any attacks and unauthorized access.