The Department of Computer Science maintains its own computer system which can be accessed only by students and staff of the department.

In order to use the services covering the whole university, users need a separate account for access to the IT Department's systems.

This means that the accounts for two systems are automatically created for major-subject students in computer science and department staff:

1. the Computer Science Department system (cs), and
2. the Active Directory of the university's IT Department (ad-hy)

These users have two usernames: a cs account and an ad-hy account.

Please note that the cs account and the ad-hy account have separate home directories, passwords and e-mail addresses. Even the First.Lastname alias may be different! Only the username is the guaranteed to be the same.

The cs account will give you access to all the servers and computers of the Department of Computer Science (such as melkinpaasi.cs.helsinki.fi and the Linux and Windows computers in the computer labs).

The ad-hy account of the IT Department will give you access to their classroom computers, the Mappi e-mail system, WebOodi, HUPnet (accessing the university network with your own laptop) and Software Download Centre. 

Obtaining your new username

New majoring students

A user account will automatically be created for students who have been accepted this year. Those who have finnish online banking codes can activate the ad-hy account online: www.helsinki.fi/atk/english/accounts/activation.

You can also visit the IT Department user account office. Locations and opening hours, please see: www.helsinki.fi/atk/english/guidance/servicepoints.html

New users can claim their accounts by presenting a passport or an ID card and signing an agreement form.

Pekka Niklander in office A230 (Exactum, A block, 2nd floor) is also able to help with user accounts of computer science students and staff.

Minoring students

Minoring students can also get an account for the Computer Science Department computers.

Send an account request to the address tktl-luvat [at] cs.helsinki.fi .

State your username for your ad-hy account in this e-mail. Do NOT send your password! In reply, you will receive instructions for how to activate your cs account.

Temporary access for members of the university community

The computers in the common areas of the Department of Computer Science (in classrooms and auditoriums) can temporarily be accessed without a CS department username.

You only need a valid ad-hy user account from the IT Department of the university. Please see more detailed instructions.

Make sure e-mails reach you

Please check your e-mails at the University  mail box and at the CS Dept mail box. If you use the University Mappi mail box regularly, you may want to redirect CS Dept e-mails (instructions 1. below) to your First.Lastname@helsinki.fi address.

1. You can redirect your CS Dept. e-mail by setting the following sorting rule in the webmail interface: if message is over 0 bytes, redirect to this address
2. You can redirect IT Dept. e-mails with the help of a web form.

Validity and renewing of accounts

All user accounts have a limited validity period (one year).

Two months before the validity period ends, the IT Department will send you first warning by e-mail. This warning is only sent to the First.Lastname@helsinki.fi address.

The CS account will be deactivated if your password gets over 1 year old. The Department of Computer Science does not send out separate warnings!

Please use www.cs.helsinki.fi/passwd to change the CS account password. Since this page identifies you by the ad-hy password, you can change even an expired or forgotten CS password.

Students registered as present

The validity of student accounts usually runs out at the end of September.

Students who have registered as present get their ad-hy account activated if some conditions are met.

You cannot renew your CS account separately, but only by keeping your IT Dept. ad-hy account valid. If your ad-hy account has been deactivated, you can have it reactivated at an IT Dept. user account office, or you can contact the Helpdesk.

If you want to renew your IT Dept unix account (aka CC account), contact Helpdesk.

Absent students

The principal rule is that only students who are registered as present at the university can have an active account.

In special cases, absent students may have an active account. Acceptable reasons for keeping an active account can be e.g. military service, maternity/paternity leave, and exchange studies abroad.

If the need arises, please contact tktl-luvat@helsinki.fi.

Staff

We try to renew the accounts of staff members before the expiration warning arrives. If you have received an e-mail warning of the expiration of your account anyway, please contact tktl-luvat@helsinki.fi.