CSS Labs

The Division of Computing & Software Systems (CSS) utilizes cutting edge technology and research tools as an integrated part of its curriculum. From a technical point of view, our laboratories offer a diverse mix of platforms and software that go beyond typical desktop computing. But the labs are not merely places to house computers – they also serve as hubs for collaboration, discussion, seminars, and social activities.

  1. UW Bothell CSS Wiki
  2. Lab access and support
  3. Advanced Projects Lab
  4. Open Lab
  5. Cybersecurity Lab
  6. Embedded Systems Lab

UW Bothell CSS Wiki

For general information about the CSS labs, how to access them remotely, and other software-specific instructions and how-to guides please visit the UW Bothell CSS Wiki.


Lab access and support

Lab access is restricted to students taking CSS classes and only granted for the quarter in which a student is enrolled. You may use the labs during building hours, which are always posted on building entrances. Building hours may differ during summer, inter-quarter breaks, and holidays.

You can access CSS computer labs using your Husky ID Card:

  1. Tap your UW Husky Card on the card reader next to the door.
  2. Listen for a click (the red light on card reader should blink).
  3. Pull open the door (Note: the door handle will not turn).

Card not working?

To replace or activate your card, visit Campus Safety. If Campus Safety cannot activate the card, contact one of the following:

Logging into Linux machines

Once you are enrolled in a CSS class you will be automatically given access to the Linux lab machines. To log in, use your UW NetID and password. If you are unable to connect, send mail to uwbit@uw.edu with your name, student ID number, and NetID.

If accessing the machines from the internet, use PuTTY (SSH) if connecting from Windows, SSH Secure Shell, or other SSH2 client to connect and run command-line programs or to transfer files. Detailed instructions can be found on the UW Bothell CSS Wiki.

Additional support

For support questions and to report any issues with the equipment in the labs, send an email to the IT helpdesk at uwbit@uw.edu.


Advanced Projects Lab (INV-310)

Important: Undergraduate access to room 310 is only granted through the permission of a CSS professor, and graduate student access renews every quarter the student is enrolled.

The Advanced Projects Lab is available to student groups who are actively working on research projects with CSS faculty. The lab consists primarily of dedicated machines purchased through faculty research grants.

In addition to research workstations, the Advanced Projects lab is focused on team collaboration and provides tools such as a large conference table with 40″ display, soft seating, mobile whiteboards, and whiteboard topped tables available for students and faculty. There is also a small lounge area with couches to provide students a quiet study area.


Open Lab (INV-141)

This is a drop-in laboratory that serves all CSS courses that require Windows, Linux, and MacOS software. The lab has eight Dell OptiPlex 7070 computers running Windows 10, four Exxact Desktops running Rocky Linux, and two iMacs. All Windows and Linux workstations are configured with a 34″ monitor setup.

There is also one machine housed in an e-podium, along with a variety of audio-visual equipment, and connected to a ceiling-mounted data projector. The e-podium is used for seminars, tutorials, demonstrations, group design reviews, and social activities sponsored by student organizations.

Besides the computer and A/V equipment, the CSS Open Lab has multiple whiteboards, printers, a few tables, and comfortable chairs for group projects. In addition, the Open Lab has one large team room with two large TV monitors, and three small team rooms with a TV monitor for collaboration, discussions, homework, and quiet study. The lab also has a small refrigerator and microwave, courtesy of the CSS program, for student use.


Cybersecurity Lab (INV-140)

The Cybersecurity lab contains an array of Kali Linux machines available to support Cybersecurity courses and research at both the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition, the lab provides a meeting and learning space for the UW Bothell chapter of OWASP and the Gray Hats Cybersecurity Club.

The lab consists of 9 Dell OptiPlex towers configured in a dual monitor workstation setup. Additionally, each workstation can be configured into an isolated network for testing and education purposes. Networking isolation tools and VM hosts allow for adaptable lab configurations and a safe testing environment.

There is also one machine housed in an e-podium, along with a variety of audio/visual equipment, and connected to a ceiling mounted projector. The e-podium is used for seminars, tutorials, demonstrations, and group design reviews.


Embedded Systems Lab (UW1-321b)

The Embedded Systems Lab is a teaching lab consisting of 12 stations that include a wide range of systems testing and build tools. Each station also has a Dell Optiplex 9020 workstation running a 3.4GHz i7 proc and 16GB of RAM. A suite of software tools rounds out the lab and provides for an exciting opportunity to explore developing systems.

The heart of the embedded systems lab is seven experimental stations that accommodate two students each. Each station has a Dell Optiplex GX620 workstations (2.8GHz Pentium Core 2 Duo, 1GB RAM), an HP 16100A Logic Analyzer, a DC power supply, a ColdFire 5206E single-board computer (donated by Freescale Semiconductor), and custom-designed experimental boards. In addition, each ColdFire SBC connects to a transition board that permits the logic analyzer to easily connect to the experiment and observe the address, data and status busses of the ColdFire microprocessor running in real time.

Experiments include:

  • Setting the internal registers of a microcontroller
  • Designing interrupt-driven systems
  • Measuring latency and cache performance
  • Writing a flash memory programming algorithm
  • Determining the analog waveform of an unknown source (A/D converter experiment)
  • Designing a scrolling message display

The lab also is equipped with a Dell Optiplex GX110 workstation (667MHz Pentium 3, 256MB RAM) running Red Hat Linux, connected to a custom-designed Motorola 68000 processor computer “farm”. This facility provides remote network access to 10 single-board computers for embedded systems software development work.

Additional equipment in the lab includes an HP 64700 series in-circuit emulator and an optional traffic light programming experiment, robot arm experiment, a CodeTest measuring tool for real-time performance measurements, and Fluke oscilloscope and a Fluke graphical multimeter.

  • Other laboratory hardware includes:
  • 11 Dell Optiplex GX280 desktop workstations (3.8GHz Pentium 4, 512MB RAM, Windows XP)
  • One Dell Optiplex GX280 housed in an “e-podium”, along with a variety of audio-visual equipment, and connected to a ceiling-mounted data projector
  • An array of advanced data/voice networking hardware, including two
  • Nortel Passport 8006 and two Nortel Business Policy Switch 2000
  • Additional workstations running Windows 2000

Besides the standard CSS software load, this lab also includes specialized embedded systems and networking related applications, such as a 68000 editor, assembler, and simulator and EASy68K.