Distributed Computing Support
Management Team

Meeting Minutes

April 18, 2003

Members
Troy Bacon (AVP Finance and Business Affairs and Controller), Craig Berry (School of Visual Arts), Ginger Boone (University Union), Allen Bradley (Computing Center), Sandy Burke (Computing Center), Tim Christian (College of Arts and Sciences), Chu Chuah (School of Community Service), Wil Clark (UNT System Center @ Dallas), Jim Curry (Microcomputer Maintenance/Classroom Support Services), Cyndie Harris (UNT Facilities), Mike Hatch (College of Business Administration), Pamiela Hight (Libraries), Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner (Student Computing Committee, Computing Center),  Paul Hons (College of Education), Abraham John (VP Student Development), Kirk Kelly (Housing), Brenda Kirk (Computing Center), Maurice Leatherbury (Chair, Sr. Director of Academic Computing and Asst. to the AVP Computing and Communications Services), Mike Maner (Computing Center), Gary Mathews (School of Library and Information Science), Ramu Muthiah (School of Community Service), Dallas Newell (Registrar's Office), Bruce Pollock (ABN LAN Mgmt), Chris Strauss (Computing Center), Mike Wright (Computing Center), Roy Zumwalt (Texas Academy of Math and Science)

Members Present
Craig Berry (School of Visual Arts), Ginger Boone (University Union), Allen Bradley (Computing Center),  Sandy Burke (Computing Center), Tim Christian (College of Arts and Sciences), Chu Chuah (School of Community Service), Wil Clark (UNT System Center @ Dallas), Mike Hatch (College of Business Administration), Pamiela Hight (Libraries), Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner (Student Computing Committee, Computing Center), Paul Hons (College of Education), Maurice Leatherbury (Chair, Sr. Director of Academic Computing and Asst. to the AVP Computing and Communications Services), Mike Maner (Computing Center), Gary Mathews (School of Library and Information Sciences), Chris Strauss (Computing Center)

Guests
Joe Adamo (Computing Center), Philip Baczewski (Computing Center), Travis Brown (Computing Center), Christopher D. Cofer (Computing Center), Daren Dugan (Computing Center), Axton Grams (Computing Center),  Tracy Hansen (Enterprise Information Systems/Computing Center), Richard Harris (Computing Center), Lee Haughton (UNT Facilities), Coy Hoggard (Computing Center), Bill Jones (UNT Health Science Center @ Ft. Worth), Jason Myre (Computing Center), Charlotte Russell (Computing Center), Dennis Scroggins (Enterprise Information Systems/Computing Center), Alana Skoric (Enterprise Information Systems/Computing Center), Jon Walker (Computing Center),  Scott Windham (Computing Center), David Wright (College of Education)

Minutes
Minutes from February 7, 2003, February 21, 2003, March 7, 2003, and April 4, 2003 were approved as written.

Directory Services
Alana Skoric reported that effective May 31, 2003, the Directory Services group will be consolidating EUIDs.  Users with multiple EUIDs (for example, an individual with a student and staff role) will use a single EUID to access services, with preference given to the student EUID.  These changes should not affect WebCT until the new version of WebCT becomes available.  A file of discarded EUIDs will be given to network managers for reference.  The Directory Services group will meet with Health Science Center representatives to discuss their role in the EUID process. 

Remedy 5 Categorization Restructuring
Axton Grams reported that the naming schema for Remedy system category, type and item fields will change.  These fields will no longer reference departmental areas or generic items, but will list more specific problems.  Manual ticket routing will continue to be enabled.  A decision on the timeframe for archiving will be made soon.  Axton provided a handout to DCSMT representatives which included information on naming conventions, measuring effectiveness, migration techniques, and web reports.  The handout will be made available on the web for review.  Contact Axton if you need access to the web document.

Dell vs. Compaq Servers
Maurice reported that Dell made a presentation on campus and provided good pricing on equipment.  Primary interest for attendees was related to server pricing.  UNT has a good history with Compaq- if there is a switchover from Compaq to Dell, pricing may be a factor; however, DCSMT is also concerned with quality and support.  A unanimous decision was made to continue to periodically evaluate other vendors before deciding if a switch to a different vendor is appropriate. 

Desktop Backup Solutions
Allen Bradley reported that pricing for the Connected.com software was ten times too high.  Allen is waiting for better pricing from the vendor. The software will be available for evaluation next week.  A working group will be developed to discuss costs, other vendors, and other issues.

Chris Cofer reported that regardless of the backup solution chosen, a back-end solution much also be selected.  The solution may be expensive no matter which method/product is selected. He provided a handout on "Legato Networker Laptop" and is waiting for pricing (per user/per machine) on the product.  This information will be provided to DCSMT.  Chris also mentioned that Unix Services can also back-up workstations. 

Network Connection Policy
Maurice Leatherbury reported that a revised network connection policy had been drafted.  The old network connection policy had been approved but lacked information (i.e. wireless).  The revision adds wireless access points, user authentication and authorization and support of personally owned devices.  Wording also reflects removal of anything that negatively affects the network.  The purpose of the policy is to add "reasonableness" to what is attached to the network.  Send comments about the draft (e-mailed to DCSMT prior to today's meeting) to Maurice.

Old Business
None.

New Business
Mike Wright requests IDOs for Adobe products by the end of the month.  Everyone should have received data on the products which they have purchased.

Status Reports
Philip Baczewski reported that the academic mainframe (CMS, MVS) will no longer be in service effective August 31, 2003.  Each person with a faculty or staff account has been notified of the termination date and an article has been published in Benchmarks.  

Daren Dugan reported that he is still trying to move everyone to Netware 6 before the fall semester.  Please contact Daren if you need to upgrade.

Alana Skoric requested that DCSMT members contact her if they are not receiving updates on the status of LDAP.

Pam Hight reported that Microsoft will continue to create security patches on Windows NT through December of 2004.  Pam also reported that a SAN presentation will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2003, in the library.  

Tracy Hansen introduced Dennis Scroggins, new EIS team member.  Dennis will be support training for the EIS project and will be working with Tracy on network support.

Joe Adamo reported that the voice mail conversion which was scheduled for Tuesday has been delayed.  There is a problem on Verizon's end.

Tim Christian reported that he is still trying to get rid of old IPX workstations, and that he is deploying Mac OS X.

The meeting adjourned at 11:10 am.

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Page last modified on May 15, 2003.  Send comments to Maurice Leatherbury.