New Hardware & Software for ACS General Access Lab

This spring semester, we have implemented several hardware and software changes in the ACS General Access Lab to improve the services provided. Over the Christmas break, a new file server (a 200MHz PentiumPro with 256MB of RAM with 10GB of disk storage) was installed, replacing the old server. All uses of ACSLAB should notice significant decrease in wait time when accessing resources off the server. The new hardware includes a RAID 5 disk subsystem with hot swappable disk media, minimizing the need for server downtime in the case of disk media failure. Another important new addition is a Quantum DLT4000 digital linear tape backup system, which has more reliable tape media, faster data transfer rates, and the ability to backup remote workstations in addition to server data.

The new server hardware will allow ACS to begin serving up specially software across campus. The first phase of this campus-wide distribution includes applications and data from the Research and Statistical Support division of ACS. SPSS 7.0 and SAS 6.1, both 32-bit applications, are now available for installation by Network Managers from ACSLAB. These programs can also be run off ACSLAB instead of installing them to another server. There is also a collection of frequently requested data sets for both programs on the server. Contact Karl Ho (kho@unt.edu, 565-4066) of the RSS division for information on how to access this software.

SPSS 7.0 in one of the new 32-bit applications that have been installed to run on the PCs in ISB 110. On Thursday, January 23, the PCs in ISB 110 began running Windows95 instead of DOS and Windows 3.1. This operating system change allows us to serve up a multitude of 32-bit applications as well as providing better access to accounts in the NDS tree on campus. Another significant addition is the new Pentium PC which has Adobe Photoshop 3.0.5 for us with the 24-bit color scanner. This computer has 32MB of RAM and a gigabyte of disk space for handling larger scanned images. There is also text scanning (OCR) software available on this computer.

We are pleased to be bringing you these improvements in our lab environment. Look for other enhancements to our service throughout the semester.

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If you have any problems or questions about this server, contact us as soon us as soon as possible. You can send mail to the following address: www@unt.edu