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Home > Help & Support > Knowledge Base > Web, Servers & Data > Web Dev > What is the Mason Cluster?

What is the Mason Cluster?

The Mason Cluster consists of two servers:

  • www.gmu.edu: The primary university web server. Hosts most of the main university web sites.
  • mason.gmu.edu: A domain for the personal web sites of students, faculty, and staff.

Personal space is already available for all students, faculty, and staff. See Setting Up a Personal Site.
Departmental web space can be requested using the request form.

Connect to the Mason Cluster

  • Connect to the Mason Cluster via PuTTY (Windows)
  • Connect to the Mason Cluster via Terminal (Mac)

Account Eligibility

All registered students, faculty, classified and part-time staff, and authorized guests are eligible for Mason Cluster accounts. Status as a student must be verifiable through the Registrar’s Office; status as an employee, including all eligible faculty positions, must be verifiable through Human Resources.

Guest accounts are granted on a case-by-case basis as deemed appropriate by ITS to meet the needs of the university. A sponsoring George Mason University faculty member or Mason employee must submit a Guest account request in writing to the director of ITS – Central and Distributed Systems.

Employees of university contractors are eligible for accounts on a case-by-case basis as necessary to complete work for the university.

Last modified: July 1, 2021

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George Mason ITS @georgemasonits ·
23 Jan

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for Windows 10 systems. As a result, all Windows 10 systems must be upgraded to Windows 11 or removed from the Mason network. Learn more ⬇️

https://its.gmu.edu/bulletins/microsoft-windows-11-announcement/

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