Computer Network Support Facility (CNSF)

The Computer Network Support Facility (CNSF) delivers services and tools to enhance the scientific productivity of biomedical and bioscience investigators at UH Mānoa.  Our clients include researchers, administrators and staff in the Pacific Biosciences Research Center and those associated with certain NIH center grants in the John A. Burns School of Medicine.  We also provide IT services for the Department of Public Health Studies in the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health. CNSF personnel provide IT support in network and server administration, website development and maintenance, and desktop and laptop computer support. The specific tasks performed in each of these major services areas are determined by the needs of the client investigators, the available equipment and the expertise of the facility staff.

• Network:  PBRC researchers are housed in several locations, both on and off campus: Kewalo Marine Laboratory, Békésy/PBRC Building, Gilmore Hall, Biomedical Sciences Building and the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building.  The CNSF acts as the primary liaison between research labs in these locations and the UH ITS network operations staff.

• Website development and maintenance. In addition to the PBRC web pages and those of PBRC facilities and grants, the CNSF supports several internally-generated public-information pages on scientific topics related to faculty and staff expertise, including Microangela by Tina Carvalho and the Paramecium and Other Ciliates image collection by Richard Allen.  The CNSF also contracts with projects at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (PIKO, Ola HAWAII and INBRE) to develop and maintain websites for those projects.

• Desktop and laptop computer support. CNSF provides routine desktop service for faculty and staff.  We assist with selecting and ordering new hardware, installing software, trouble-shooting hardware and software problems, providing general-use devices such as printers and scanners. Faculty and staff routinely consult with the CNSF staff to optimize their computer resources.

• Communications services. The CNSF has a reputation for excellence in seamlessly managing the audio-visual events. CNSF provides support for video-conferencing and presentations at meetings, conferences and symposia.  CNSF also provides poster printing and laminating services to faculty and researchers.