Fast Answers to Frequently-Asked Questions


SYSTEMS ENGINEERING FAQs

MATLAB, CPLEX and CORE FAQs

COMPUTING FAQs

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING FAQs

Question 1 : I'm taking the class on ITV/NTU. How do I submit my homework?

Answer : Mail your homework to

              ITV
              Rm 2105, Engineering Classroom Building,
              University of Maryland,
              College Park, MD 20742.

              FAX : (301) - 314 - 9639.

         ITV will return the homeworks to you after they have been
         graded.


Question 2 : What software tools support UML?

Answer : Rational Rose 4.

         You can download a  demo copy of the Rational Software 
         and build diagrams up to 30 classes. We also have the
         demo version installed on the PC in the SEIL Lab.

         Visio Professional (maybe .... we need to check this)
         See  http://www.visio.com 

MATLAB, CPLEX AND CORE FAQs

Question 1 : How do I access MATLAB?

Answer : MATLAB can be accessed from anywhere on the Glue System
         (you do not need an ISR account to run MATLAB).
         First, type 

             kiwi:~: tap matlab
             kiwi:~:

         MATLAB can be started by typing:

             kiwi:~: matlab

                                 < M A T L A B (R) >
                    (c) Copyright 1984-98 The MathWorks, Inc.
                                All Rights Reserved
                                 Version 5.2.0.3084
                                     Jan 17 1998
 
         To get started, type one of these: helpwin, helpdesk, or demo.
         For product information, type tour or visit www.mathworks.com.

             >> 

         A small MATLAB 5 graphics window will appear for a few seconds,
         followed by the program announcement, and the MATLAB prompt.

             >> 

         We are now ready to start solving problems.

Question 2 : How do MATLAB M-files work?

Answer : MATLAB statements can be prepared with any editor,
         and stored in a file for later use. Such a file is
         referred to as a script, or an "m-file" (since they
         must have a name extension of the form filename.m).
         Writing m-files will enhance your problem solving
         productivity.  Suppose that we create a program file

                 myfile.m

         in the MATLAB language. The commands in this file
         can be exectued by simply giving the command

                 myfile

         from MATLAB. The MATLAB statements will run like
         any other MATLAB function. You do not need to compile
         the program since MATLAB is an interpretative (not
         compiled) language.


Question 3 : What kinds of problems can the MATLAB Optimization Toolbox solve?

Answer : The MATLAB Optimization Toolbox contains routines that
         implement the most widely used methods for performing
         minimization or maximization on general nonlinear functions.
         Additional routines are provided for linear programming,
         quadratic programming, nonlinear least squares,
         and solving nonlinear equations.


Question 4 : What kinds of Optimization problems can CPLEX solve?

Answer : The MATLAB Optimization Toolbox contains routines that
         CPLEX is a tool for solving linear optimization problems,
         including constrained and unconstrained. Linear programming
         is used extensively in a wide variety of industries for
         solving mission-critical resource allocation problems.

         Examples include manufacturing scheduling, airline routing, raw
         material blending, financial portfolio optimization, personnel
         scheduling, and transportation logistics.


Question 5 : How do I access CPLEX?

Answer : CPLEX is only available from the Systems Engineering Integration
         Laboratory (SEIL) within ISR. We have licenses for the following
         machines:

             watt.isr.umd.edu
             coulomb.isr.umd.edu
             kelvin.isr.umd.edu
             oxygen.isr.umd.edu

         Application forms for SEIL/ISR accounts are available from outside
         of the Open lab AVW 1146.  After you have filled out the form
         (make sure you request access to "SEIL), ask Dr. Austin to sign
         it, and hand the completed form to Ms. Peggy Jayant in AVW,
         Rm. 1201.  Your account will be activated within 3 working days.


Question 6 : How do get started with CPLEX?

Answer : After you have logged into one of the SEIL machines
         supporting CPLEX, type

             watt >> tap cplex4

         and then

             watt >> cplex

         For help, just type "help"

         CPLEX> help

            add       constraints to the problem
            change    change the problem
            display   display problem or solution
            enter     enter a new problem
            help      provide information on CPLEX commands
            netopt    solve the problem using network method
            optimize  solve the problem
            quit      leave CPLEX
            read      read problem or basis information from a file
            set       set parameters
            tranopt   solve the problem using the dual method
            write     write problem or solution info. to a file
            xecute    execute a command from the operating system

         Enter enough characters to uniquely identify commands and options:
         Commands may be executed in either of two formats:

         1. Incremental entry.

            Enter the command name, and CPLEX will prompt you for
            additional required information.

         2. Single-line Entry.

            CPLEX accepts single-line command strings, provided
            simple syntax rules are observed.


Question 7 : On what machines in SEIL is CORE installed?

Answer : Within SEIL, CORE is installed on the following PC's:

         babbs, hagen, arnbach, garmisch

         Please send me e-mail (austin@isr.umd.edu) if you have
         any problems.


Question 8 : What parts of the CORE documentation should I read?

Answer : Here are some recommendations.

         Chapters 2,3 and 5 for an introduction to how CORE works
         Chapters 7, 8, and 9 for the system database management
         Chapters 11-17 for drawing different diagrams with CORE

COMPUTING FAQs

Question 1 : How do I get a GLUE computer account ?

Answer : Go to Rm 1400 in the Computer Science Services (CSS) building ...
         and follow the signs.


Question 2 : How do I activate a GLUE printing account ?

    The Glue system operates under a "Pay-for-Print" policy.

    To print from a open glue lab, you will need a print account. This 
    account can be used not only for the Glue Open labs, but also all over 
    campus (WAM labs: PG2, Hornbake...). 

    Each page costs $0.10. Users must obtain a Terrapin Express card in
    Room 1109 South Campus Dining Hall, in the hours 08:00 - 16:00.
    After doing this, they must get their print account activated in the
    Laser Print Cost Recovery (LPCR) office, Room 3326 Computer Science
    Center. The minimum deposit for the Terrapin Express Account is $25. 

    Users can check their print account by telnetting to the address: 

          bank.umd.edu 

    The login id is "teller". The bank will then ask for the print account 
    number and the password. The user can then move funds from the Terrapin 
    Express account to the print account. 

    For further help, please consult the first-aider on duty.


Question 3 : How do I get an ISR computer account?

Answer : Students will need an ISR unix account in order to access the
         open lab.  Pick up an account application form form just
         outside of Rm 1147 in AV Williams building. Follow the directions
	 on the form: you first register at a workstation in one of the
	 Open Labs, and then you hand the completed from to

		Ms. Peggy Jayant
		Office: AVW-1201,
		phone: 301 405 8018 or 301 405 6628,
		email:peg@isr.umd.edu.

	 All administrative questions about ISR accounts are handled by Peg.

         More information on ISR's computing resources is located at
         http://www.isr.umd.edu/ISR/resources/FAQS/Computing_Facilities.html


Question 4 : How can I dial into the University computers from home ?

Answer : Dial-up access to the College of Engineering's network of UNIX
         computers is provided through the Computer Science Center's (CSC)
         annex service. All dialup lines are set for 8 bits, 1 stop bit,
         and no parity.

         The modem pools that you can access are:

            (a)  (301) 209-0700  -- X2 56kbps modems, 3hr session limit.
                                    40 hrs per 14 days quota limit.

            (b)  (301) 864-2087  -- 33 kbps modems.
                                    15 min express service session limit.
                                    40 hrs per 14 days quota limit.

         Access from Baltimore

            (c)  (410) 962-8865  -- 28.8 kbps modems, 3hr session limit.
            (d)  (410) 962-8867  -- 28.8 kbps modems, 15 min express
                                    session limit.

         WAM (Workstation at Maryland) accounts are available to all
         University of Maryland students from the Computer Science Center
         Consulting Lab (CSS 1400). Bring your University ID and current
         registration card.

         To dial in, you will need to connect to the computer or terminal
         you are using. Run your favorite communications program and set
         your communications port parameters to 8 bits, 1 stop bit, and
         no parity.  vt100 is a good choice for the terminal type if you
         are not sure what to use.

         When the connection to the annex service is established, you will
         see the annex prompt. Issue the following command to initiate a
         login session:

               telnet <machine>.eng.umd.edu

         where <machine> should be replaced by the name of the workstation 
         that you would like to log into. For example, the machines in the
         Open lab in Room 1442, A.V. Williams Bldg, are as follows:

               analog             step
               harmonic           noise
               convolution        signal
               state              periodic
               bandwidth          digital
               gain               feedback
               capacitance        trace


Question 5 : What WWW browsers are available at UMCP?

Answer : First, try "netscape" and if that isn't available, try "mosaic"


Question 6 : Where can I find the home page for ENSEE 621?

Answer : Move the cursor to the location bar on your browser and enter
         the URL:

         http://www.isr.umd.edu/~austin/ense621.html


Question 7 : I want to save a WWW page. What's the difference between txt, html and postcript ?

Answer : To save a file, click on the "File" item located in the top
         left-hand corner of the Netscape Browser.

         Then select the pull-down menu item that has a title

             "Save As..."

         A small window should pop-up requesting information on the
         location and format for the file containing the saved page.
         The three file formats are:

         Text       -- Save the the text within the page.

         Source     -- Save the html code for the page, including the text,
                       tags etc..

         Postscript -- This saves the file in Postscript format.
                       Postscript is a special computer language understood
                       by many printers, and is used to send text and graphics
                       of all varieties to the printer.  You can use this
                       option to save an image of a web page as a Postscript
                       file, which can then be sent to a Postscript printer to
                       reproduce the file on paper. 


Question 8 : How do I send a WWW page to the printer?

Answer : The answer to this question will depend on the local configuration
         of your computer. Generally speaking you will need to give a command
         like

              qpr -q name-of-printer name-of-postscript-file.ps

         See the lab attendant for specific details.


Question 9 : What editors are available for file creation?

Answer : "vi" and "pico". A summary of basic vi commands is located in the
         appendix to the class notes. For more information on vi, follow
         the links to Online Computer Documentation at Berkeley.


Question 10 : Where should I put my home page?

Answer : When you log into your Glue account, you are initially
         in your home directory.  Typing:

           cd ../pub

         put you in your public directory.  This is a
         directory that the general public has access to, and
         therefore this is where your home page should be stored.

         You should put your home page in a file

            Welcome.html
         
         located inside the pub directory. So if your login
         name is let's say "billclinton", then the location of your
         home page will be something like

            /afs/ ... /billclinton/pub/Welcome.html

         (The row of dots indicates that the file system will change from
         machine to machine) Folks from outside the University of Maryland
         will be able to view your home page using the URL

            http://www.glue.umd.edu/~billclinton/

         More Information : Follow the link to "Instructions for
         Creating a Personal Home Page" from the Internet Resources
         section of the ENSE 621 home page.


Question 11 : How can I get started with my home page?

Answer : You will need to write your home page in the Hypertext Markup
         Language (HTML). An easy-to-read introduction to HTML is

         "A Beginners Guide to HTML,"  

         located in section two of the Class Notes.


Question 12 : Where can I find a scanner?

Answer : There are scanners in the engineering glue lab but they are
         kinda slow (and broken most of the time). 

         The Construction Management Computer Lab (Rm 1156, Eng
         Classroom Bldg) also has a scanner, but the machines aren't
         connected to the Internet. You will need to save your
         results on a 3.5" floppy disk.


Question 13 : What content will I need to include on my home page?

Answer : Here is a list of suggested content for your home page.

         Suggested Content
         -----------------

         * Images of yourself (...or something similar ....).
         * A resume, containing career objective, educational background,
           (including schools attended), work experience, and a summary
           of your computer skills -- hey, you can list HTML as one of
           your Web skills.
         * A summary of classes taken at University of Maryland.
         * An e-mail link to your computer account.
         * Signposts that help a visitor navigate the layout of pages
           in your public_html directory -- one way of doing this is
           to add an index page to your home page.

         Where appropriate, your page should contain hypertext links to
         schools, places of of employment etc ....

         Also, because the purpose of your page is for self promotion, the
         page layout should tidy and "visually appealing."  Learn how to
         create tables in html, and how to create pages with a good balance
         of "hot" and "cold" colors.


Question 14 : I'm on an IBM PC machine...how do I use the FTP program?

Answer : The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) program works on the same
         concept as the file manager as in Windows 3.1.

         To transfer files:

      1. Save the file onto disk.  Hard or floppy.

      2. Click on the window icon FTP.  This icon is usually pink letters
         on a white background. This icon will open up the "File Transfer
         Protocol" program.

      3. Click on the space that says profile name.  You will want to be
         able to get into glue with your login and password.
         One of the set ups in the drop list will allow you to do this.

      4. Fill in your login where it says user id and password where it
         asks.

      5. Click on OK

      6. You will now see a split window.  on the left hand side is the
         computer you are on, and on the right is your computer account.
         In order for you to put stuff(files, etc.) into your pub account
         you have to open up that part of your account.  Look at the right
         part of the screen.  In the upper right you will see something
         that looks like   ..  Click on the two dots.  This will take you
         up a level in your account.

      7. Now you should see another list of things. One should be pub.
         This is you pub account. Click on pub.  If you have started your
         web site you should at least see Welcome.html here.
         You are now in the pub part ofyour account.

      8. To transfer things there you now must look at the upper left of
         the window.

         Here you will see things that resemble the computer you are on.
         For instance [-a-], [-c-], are both drives.  [-a-] is your floppy
         drive and [-c-] is your hard drive.  If you have things saved on a
         floppy click on [-a-] and then you will see all the files that are
         on your disk.

      9. Now highlight the thing you want to transfer by clicking on it.

     10. Now that it is highlighted click on the right arrow and the
         program will transfer that file to your school account.

     11. Your done.  The file should now be on the right side bottom.  If it
         is there, then it is in your pub account.


Question 15 : Where can I find a selection of background patterns?

Answer : A good starting point is:

         http://home.netscape.com/assist/net_sites/bg/backgrounds.html

         For more sites, go to a search engine and do a search on
         "background pattern"


Question 16 : How can I download a background pattern from someone's page?

  • Answer : If you are running netscape on a PC, then you can simply move the
             cursor to the background, and click on the right button. A small
             window will appear asking where you want the background image to
             be saved.
    
             Otherwise, you can retrieve a background color pattern directly
             from the Netscape cache (the cache stores images and patterns
             locally on your computer, thereby enhancing performance).
    
             The cache can be accessed by typing
    
             about:cache
    
             in the "Location" window of Netscape.
    


    Question 17 : How can I put a counter on my home page?

    Answer : Information on the University of Maryland's WWW counter service
             can be found at:
    
             http://death.cs.umd.edu:8080/counter/
    
             Read the section on "usage policy," "registration" and look at the
             examples for required html.
    
             Also see
    
             http://www.digits.com
    


    Question 18 : I can't send E-mail from my Netscape browser. What's the problem?

    Answer : First, check your html code to make sure you haven't made a
             silly typo. The html should look something like:
    
             E-mail : <a href="mailto:your-login-name@glue.umd.edu"><b>
                                      your-login-name@glue.umd.edu </b></a>
    
             If your E-mail still doesn't work then perhaps
             your Netscape browser settings are incorrect.
    
             To check your mail preferences go to the Netscape Options
             menu and button on "Mail and News Preferences". Then select
             the services page. The SMTP (simple main transfer protocol)
             setting for outgoing mail should be
    
                 smtp.glue.umd.edu
    
             for glue users, and 
             
                 smtp.isr.umd.edu
    
             for users at ISR.
    


    Question 19 : What is a script file? How do I create one?

    Answer : A script file contains a copy of all of the commands
             given at the keyboard and all of the output sent to 
             the computer screen.
    
             The syntax for starting a script file is:
    
                 prompt >> script name-of-script-file
    
                 ..... now go ahead and run your programs. A copy
                       of the commands and program output will be
                       echoed to file "name-of-script-file"
             
             The script file is terminated by typing
    
                 prompt >> exit
    
             Now send the "name-of-script-file" file to the printer.
    


    Question 20 : How do I create Acrobat pdf files?

    Answer: The ISR has a daemon running that automtically makes pdf
            files. To use it, you log into an isr machine, and ftp the
            postscript file that you wish to convert to your account.
            Then copy the file to the directory
    
             /software/isrwww/html/misc/tools/acrobat/IN
    
             Wait for a few minutes, and the postscript file that you
             copied should appear along with a pdf file in the directory
    
             /software/isrwww/html/misc/tools/acrobat/OUT
    
             Move the pdf file and the postscript file out of the OUT
             directory to the place in your own homespace where you want
             to put them.
    


    Question 21 : What colors can I use English names for in HTML?

    Answer: FOR NEWER BROWSERS ONLY

    NameRGB CodeSampleNameRGB CodeSampleNameRGB CodeSample
    AliceBlue#F0F8FF AntiqueWhite#FAEBD7 Aqua#00FFFF
    Aquamarine#7FFFD4 Azure#F0FFFF Beige#F5F5DC
    Bisque#FFE4C4 Black#000000 BlanchedAlmond#FFEBCD
    Blue#0000FF BlueViolet#8A2BE2 Brown#A52A2A
    Burlywood#DEB887 CadetBlue#5F9EA0 Chartreuse#7FFF00
    Chocolate#D2691E Coral#FF7F50 CornflowerBlue#6495ED
    Cornsilk#FFF8DC Crimson#DC143C Cyan#00FFFF
    DarkBlue#00008B DarkCyan#008B8B DarkGoldenrod#B8860B
    DarkGray#A9A9A9 DarkGreen#006400 DarkKhaki#BDB76B
    DarkMagenta#8B008B DarkOliveGreen#556B2F DarkOrange#FF8C00
    DarkOrchid#9932CC DarkRed#8B0000 DarkSalmon#E9967A
    DarkSeaGreen#8FBC8F DarkSlateBlue#483D8B DarkSlateGray#2F4F4F
    DarkTurquoise#00CED1 DarkViolet#9400D3 DeepPink#FF1493
    DeepSkyBlue#00BFFF DimGray#696969 DodgerBlue#1E90FF
    FireBrick#B22222 FloralWhite#FFFAF0 ForestGreen#228B22
    Fuchsia#FF00FF Gainsboro#DCDCDC GhostWhite#F8F8FF
    Gold#FFD700 Goldenrod#DAA520 Gray#808080
    Green#008000 GreenYellow#ADFF2F Honeydew#F0FFF0
    HotPink#FF69B4 IndianRed#CD5C5C Indigo#4B0082
    Ivory#FFFFF0 Khaki#F0E68C Lavender#E6E6FA
    LavenderBlush#FFF0F5 LawnGreen#7CFC00 LemonChiffon#FFFACD
    LightBlue#ADD8E6 LightCoral#F08080 LightCyan#E0FFFF
    LightGoldenrodYellow#FAFAD2 LightGreen#90EE90 LightGrey#D3D3D3
    LightPink#FFB6C1 LightSalmon#FFA07A LightSeaGreen#20B2AA
    LightSkyBlue#87CEFA LightSlateGray#778899 LightSteelBlue#B0C4DE
    LightYellow#FFFFE0 Lime#00FF00 LimeGreen#32CD32
    Linen#FAF0E6 Magenta#FF00FF Maroon#800000
    MediumAquamarine#66CDAA MediumBlue#0000CD MediumOrchid#BA55D3
    MediumPurple#9370DB MediumSeaGreen#3CB371 MediumSlateBlue#7B68EE
    MediumSpringGreen#00FA9A MediumTurquoise#48D1CC MediumVioletRed#C71585
    MidnightBlue#191970 MintCream#F5FFFA MistyRose#FFE4E1
    Moccasin#FFE4B5 NavajoWhite#FFDEAD Navy#000080
    OldLace#FDF5E6 Olive#808000 OliveDrab#6B8E23
    Orange#FFA500 OrangeRed#FF4500 Orchid#DA70D6
    PaleGoldenrod#EEE8AA PaleGreen#98FB98 PaleTurquoise#AFEEEE
    PaleVioletRed#DB7093 PapayaWhip#FFEFD5 PeachPuff#FFDAB9
    Peru#CD853F Pink#FFC0CB Plum#DDA0DD
    PowderBlue#B0E0E6 Purple#800080 Red#FF0000
    RosyBrownBC8F8FF RoyalBlue#4169E1 SaddleBrown#8B4513
    Salmon#FA8072 SandyBrown#F4A460 SeaGreen#2E8B57
    Seashell#FFF5EE Sienna#A0522D Silver#C0C0C0
    SkyBlue#87CEEB SlateBlue#6A5ACD SlateGray#708090
    Snow#FFFAFA SpringGreen#00FF7F SteelBlue#4682B4
    Tan#D2B48C Teal#008080 Thistle#D8BFD8
    Tomato#FF6347 Turquoise#40E0D0 Violet#EE82EE
    Wheat#F5DEB3 White#FFFFFF WhiteSmoke#F5F5F5
    Yellow#FFFF00 YellowGreen#9ACD32


    Developed in August 1998 by Mark Austin
    Copyright © 1998-1999, Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland