Distributed Computing Support
Management Team

Meeting Minutes

June 3, 2005

Members
Joe Adamo (Computing and IT Center), Troy Bacon (AVP Finance and Business Affairs and Controller), Philip Baczewski (DCSMT Chair, Director of Academic Computing, Computing and IT Center), Craig Berry (School of Visual Arts), Ginger Boone (University Union), Sandy Burke (Computing and IT Center), Tim Christian (College of Arts and Sciences), Chu Chuah (College of Public Administration and 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), Paul Hons (College of Education), Scott Jackson (Libraries), Abraham John (VP Student Development), Scott Joyce (Housing), Brenda Kirk (Computing and IT Center), Burton Lee (College of Music), Gary Mathews (School of Library and Information Science), Dallas Newell (Enrollment Management), Bruce Pollock (ABN LAN Mgmt), Uwe Rossbach (College of Engineering), Chris Strauss (Computing and IT Center), Roy Zumwalt (Texas Academy of Math and Science)

Members Present
Joe Adamo (Computing and IT Center), Philip Baczewski (DCSMT Chair, Director of Academic Computing, Computing and IT Center), Craig Berry (School of Visual Arts), Sandy Burke (Computing and IT Center), Jim Byford for Bruce Pollock (Administration LAN Management), Wil Clark (University System Center at Dallas), Paul Hons (College of Education), Gary Mathews (School of Library and Information Science), Uwe Rossbach (College of Engineering), Stormy Shippy for Brenda Kirk (Computing and IT Center), Chris Strauss Computing and IT Center)

Guests
Richard Anderson (Computing and IT Center), Blair Copeland (Computing and IT Center), Daren Dugan (Computing and IT Center), Jason Gutierrez (Computing and IT Center), Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner (Computing and IT Center), Judy Hunter (UNT Libraries), Krysta Kaye (UNT Libraries), Maurice Leatherbury (Computing and IT Center), Claudia Lynch (Computing and IT Center), Don McClure (Computing and IT Center), Tom McElwee (Computing and IT Center), Richard Sanzone (Computing and IT Center), Craig Terrell (Computing and IT Center), David Wood (Computing and IT Center)

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from May 20, 2005 were approved as written .

Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner demonstrated the new CBT Documentation website - http://www.unt.edu/cbt and said that Groupwise 6.5 training is available on CD-ROMs that can be picked up at the Helpdesk.

Blair Copeland brought up for discussion a need to reduce broadcast traffic to improve throughput.  He will be looking at turning off Net Bios over TCPIP for all servers except Administration, Engineering and Remedy.  He will also be disabling the ability to register directly to DNS for all servers except Engineering.  He will be sending out information to the Network Managers group before this change is made. 

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business reported.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business reported.

AREA STATUS REPORTS

Daren Dugan's area is getting ready to evaluate OES Servers.  Will let the group know what they see.

Jason Guttierez reported the Apple contract has been sorted out.  He did request up-to-date numbers from the different areas since the numbers will only be updated once a year during initial enrollment.  We are approaching the next price break in number of machines.  Will keep us posted on this.  Also these numbers are new OS Client licenses.  Go through Vaughan Miller for server licenses, as well as their other products.  There is not clause for home use on the new contract.

David Wood reported there is a phishing email attack attempting to get DATCU customers to enter account information online.  The Human Resources area has sent out a warning email to employees to disregard the email.

Ewe Rossbach reported major power line outage at the Research Park resulted in loss of data for several users, and the realization there are problems with their notification process for outages.  It was also noted by those using UPS systems on the PCs, they are not adequate in this type of outage.

Craig Terrell reported that OES Servers are pretty cool.  Once they complete the evaluation he will be moving Student Storage and clustering to it.  It has better memory management.  He is also exploring an automated way for ID pictures for oncampus systems to be disbursed.  He is looking for people willing to help with this process.  COBA asked they make sure they don't do anything to create problems for the system already working in COBA.  Those interested includes WebCT and Checkin.

Mike Hatch's area is halfway completed with the student machine rollout.  He will then begin faculty replacement.  There are sill good deals to be had in the machines being replaced.

Maurice Leatherbury reported on LEARN, the fiber optic network that now has 32 institutions.  They were given $7.5 million to build a network.  In about two weeks the first segment between Houston and College Station will be lit up.  The next segment will be from Dallas to College Station, and then Austin.  Committees are discussing ways to use the system and funding models are being discussed. One option is to purchase MPLS Multi Protocol Labeling System that can be used to connect to Internet 1, Internet 2, etc.  It will cost $700,000 for routers in 5 locations.  The National Landa Rail Connection has a costing model to pay a la carte for all connections used.  Any school district will have to connect through a sponsored connect. LEARN has discussed fee structure to open to school districts, but no agreement yet.

Joe Adamo remarked that the outage at the Research Park is being looked at in the Disaster Recovery plans.  They are attempting to address power issues to maintain integrity.  He also reported there will be an announcement soon concerning the capability to request work from Telecom through submission of a Remedy ticket.

Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner thanked Mike Hatch for the heads up on the potential power problems with the new computers.  She had the Electricians check out the ISB 110 lab and will have several new circuits installed to handle the increased power needs.

Paul Hons reported a problem concerning service on the Dell printers.  He has had several instances of needing next-day service and it turning to 3-4 days.  He asked if others had the same problem.  Judy Hunter said she gets next-day service. 

Philip Baczewski announced the MATLAB software images are now on the GAUSS server.  There is a file that has licensing information also.  Contact Patrick McLeod for information.  Any faculty, staff, or graduate student needing to get a copy to install on a home machine, will need to be tracked through the Research Statistical Services staff.

The meeting was adjourned at 11 am.  The next meeting will be June 17, 2005.
 

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