Information Resources Strategic Plan

For Fiscal Years 1999-2003

University of North Texas

June 15, 1998

 

Signed: ___________________________________________
Alfred F. Hurley
Chancellor and President

Table of Contents

Executive Summary
Introduction/IR Vision
External/Internal Assessment
Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Action Items

· UNT Goal #A. Provide Instructional and Operations Support

· State Goal #3. Texas state government will enable sharing and interoperability of services through common frameworks and processes.

· State Goal #4. Texas State government’s acquisition, use, and management of information technology will be driven by the recognition and understanding of user needs.

· UNT Goal #A. Provide Instructional and Operational Support.

· State Goal #2. Texas will adopt and apply information resources standards and guidelines.

· State Goal #3. Texas state government will enable sharing and interoperability of services through common frameworks and processes.

Information Resources Environment

Organization and Personnel
IR Policies and Practices
Agency Platforms, Systems, and Telecommunications
Agency Databases
Agency Applications
Interagency Data Needs

University of North Texas

Information Resources Strategic Plan

For Fiscal Years 1999-2003

 

June 15, 1998

Executive Summary

The University of North Texas has long had a strong commitment to the support of information technology in accomplishing its mission, a commitment that the IR Strategic Plan for 1999-2003 continues. Through a strong IR infrastructure composed of a central computing center, highly effective distributed computing support units, and collaborative IR goal-setting involving all segments of the UNT community, the University is well-prepared to enter a new millennium.

Major initiatives that the University plans to undertake during the planning period are focused around meeting the State of Texas’ goal of providing information in an electronic form to the citizens of the state. Developing new modes of instructional delivery involving videoconferencing and the World Wide Web, increasing electronic access to the University’s services and information, and insuring that the increased openness of our computer systems to the public doesn’t compromise the security of those systems are the principal tasks that we have set for ourselves for the 1999-2003 time frame. Of course, the Year 2000 problem and its attendant remediation chores will demand significant efforts of the University’s IR workforce until the problem is fully addressed.

Improvements in UNT’s information resources will not be made unless we overcome some major challenges, not the least of which is the Year 2000 problem just mentioned. But in addition, the growing demand from all segments of the University’s community for more computing power, better access to the Internet, and more responsive service from IR providers puts pressure on budgets that already are stretched. Particularly troublesome is the problem of finding, attracting, and retaining qualified IR workers because their skills are in high demand worldwide.

The University faces the challenges of rapidly-evolving technology and citizens’ desires for direct and easy access to the our resources with a renewed commitment to providing appropriate access to our information sources and services through the use of that technology.

Introduction/IR Vision

 

Information technology at the University of North Texas exists to serve the mission of the University as well as that of the state of Texas. The vision of the role of information technology at UNT was elucidated in 1993:

Universities are in the process of making a dramatic transition. Less bound by the ivy-walls, they are becoming hubs of information exchange and knowledge development. Electronic networks are facilitating worldwide linkages among researchers, mentors and students. Because of the base of power created by this access to information, it is vitally important that universities employ these electronic resources in a way that facilitates individual and societal development.

These resources must be available to each member of the university community, empowering each to become a creative, independent problem solver. Information access should be flexible, transparent and reliable. Use of this information should engender collaboration, coordination, collegiality, cultivation of talent, openness, and disciplined self-governance.

This environment blurs/breaks down lines that divide units within the university and that impede them from working together freely and effectively. It encourages a "win-win" mentality, a sense of teamwork, and a spirit of cooperation, and it discourages a sense of competition for, and ownership of, resources.

Information technology can provide powerful tools that must be used strategically to ensure the success of the University of North Texas in tomorrow's emerging information economy. These tools should be used to:

Implementing this set of goals will provide information access for all members of the University community in a manner that enables them to achieve their designated objectives and that supports the educational mission of the University. (Vision Statement from UNT VISION FOR THE ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, developed by the UNT Information Resources Council, Fall 1993.)

In the 1999-2003 planning time frame, the vision for information technology at the University of North Texas will be focused on facilitating access to the University’s information. Texas’ Vision for the Millennium sets a goal that "Texans will be empowered through direct and easy access to specific information regarding state programs and services." UNT’s IR Strategic Plan for 1999-2003 is heavily weighted toward enhancing access to our information resources or in assuring that IR systems remain viable through the year 2000.

Major new efforts that are designed to meet the goal of increased access include developing a distance education course delivery system with support services and personnel to provide technical assistance in creating Web- and videoconference-based courses, improving the University’s Web interface to student services, and enhancing security and authentication systems to insure continued operation of host systems. The University also continues its major initiatives of insuring that faculty, students and staff have adequate personal computers and remediating existing systems to continue operating through the Year 2000,

Constraining UNT’s ability to meet its goals are several challenges:

External/Internal Assessment

Planning Factor Assumption
Fiscal Issues The need to update information and telecommunication technology infrastructure will mean that related costs will absorb an increasingly larger share of the University’s operating and capital funds.
The University will continue to receive Higher Education Assistance Fund (HEAF) resources to assist in meeting faculty and equipment needs, but the amount will depend on the case made by the institution to the Coordinating Board and on legislative review.
Human and Personnel Issues The need for up-to-date knowledge of technology, particularly computers, and it application will increase.
A higher degree of information technology literacy will be required of all faculty members.
Faculty will require additional time and resources to expand their knowledge base, update their expertise, and possibly redesign their courses.
A shortage of qualified information technology workers will constrain UNT’s ability to support its IT infrastructure.
Facilities and Infrastructure Issues Continuing space shortages will reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of UNT’s IT infrastructure.
The Year 2000 problem will absorb a high percentage of the software development efforts at the University through mid 1999, significantly delaying the delivery of needed enhancements to administrative systems. After mid-1999, the Year 2000 conversion effort gradually will diminish through the end of 1999, providing the opportunity to accommodate some of the deferred development in managed projects. Effort related to the Year 2000 problem will likely increase again at and beyond the turn of the century. Hopefully this impact will again decline dramatically after the first quarter of 2000.
Many administrative systems will be designed for or converted to Web interface applications to the extent allowed by limited resources. Evaluation of alternative systems for student interfaces will be required soon to meet the increasing demands for seamless student services via interactive voice response systems and on the Web. Modernization of many administrative systems to the next generation of software is likely to occur within the 1999-2003 planning horizon.
Governmental Issues Frequent changes in state, federal, and other external agency rules, requirements, and procedures force the University to shift priorities from projects that directly serve the University to meet the external priorities, often with very short deadlines for implementing significant changes to systems.
Instructional Issues Computers and digital networks will play an increasingly crucial role in education, particularly in simulations and distance learning.
The wide variety of computing devices linked to expanding and higher-speed campus, state, national, and international networks have the potential to provide students, faculty, and staff access to a continually expanding menu of information and computing resources.
There will be an increase in the use of all electronic-based instructional delivery technologies (videotape, microwave, digital two-way video, satellite, etc.)
Instructional consultation to enable faculty to adopt distributed learning will be one of the greatest needs at UNT.
More students will seek changes in traditional university calendars, schedules, and instructional delivery systems.
Emerging information and telecommunication technologies will require a fundamental change in existing instructional models.
Increased sharing of knowledge products will be possible through information and telecommunication technology.
Demands for distributed learning will absorb a rapidly increasing percentage of UNT’s IT resources, including personnel, computing, videoconferencing, and data communications.
Competition among universities worldwide for distance education students will require innovative, flexible, and rapid decisions about allocation of IT resources at UNT

Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Action Items

 

NOTE: UNT’s Agency Strategic Plan lists goals that are very general in nature (e.g., "Provide instructional and operations support") because the Agency Plan uses terms that are prescribed by appropriations formula funding categories upon which the University’s budget requests are based. The UNT Goals quoted in the IR Strategic Plan presented here are not particularly descriptive of the goals that our IR plan strives to meet. However, UNT develops annual planning priorities which focus on the achievement of its planning goals. Although this year’s planning priorities are still in the draft stage, they are quoted when relevant in the UNT IR Strategic Plan presented below because they indicate campus concerns and show how the IR goals, objectives, strategies, and action items respond to campus needs.

UNT Planning Initiative. "Strengthen support for high quality teaching and learning. d. Adapt teaching methodologies to address the continually changing needs of students."

UNT Planning Initiative. "Manage university enrollment to ensure appropriate funding to provide high quality programs and activities. c. Provide a variety of competitive high quality distributed learning opportunities."

UNT Planning Initiative. "Support activities to increase retention and graduation rates for both undergraduate and graduate students. e. Provide flexible scheduling and a variety of instructional options and locations."

UNT Planning Initiative. "Provide technology, equipment, and support staff necessary for a high quality learning environment. a. Place special emphasis on upgrading laboratories and distributed learning facilities and equipment."

  • UNT IR Strategy #1. Expand and provide reliable bandwidth on campus and to the Internet backbone.
  • UNT IR Action Item #1. Upgrade the equipment and circuits supporting the University's Internet connection to at least triple current bandwidth. Maintain sufficient data communications resources supporting the University's Internet connection to avoid average bandwidth utilization in excess of 75% for more than 2 hours per day.
  • UNT IR Action Item #2.  Evaluate web caching servers and remote content servers as alternatives for reducing the demand on the University's Internet connection.
  • UNT IR Action Item #3.  Evaluate Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) technologies and implement them if and as appropriate for use in providing access from dorms and to off campus users.
  • UNT IR Action Item #4. Establish a procedure for conducting regular building network performance audits.
  • UNT IR Strategy #2. Maintain and expand videoconferencing facilities.
  • UNT IR Action Item #5.  Add additional videoconferencing rooms to UNT’s videoconferencing network to meet demand for two-way videoconference classes.
  • UNT IR Action Item #6. Add additional hardware and telecommunications lines to existing connections to external videoconferencing networks such as VIDNET and TTVN to accommodate demand.
  • UNT IR Strategy #3. Establish a Center for Distributed Learning to provide financial, staff and technological support for faculty’s efforts to deliver courses via distributed learning technologies.
  • UNT IR Action Item #7. Hire staff for the Center.
  • UNT IR Action Item #8. Provide office and laboratory space for a centrally located support center housing all Center staff.

UNT Planning Initiative. "Provide technology, equipment, and support staff necessary for a high quality learning environment. b. Upgrade general classrooms and computer classrooms for appropriate disciplines."

 

  • UNT IR Strategy #5. Upgrade operating systems, database management systems, and other utilities on campus mainframe and centrally-supported minicomputers to insure Year 2000 compliance
  • UNT IR Strategy #6. Deliver courses through World Wide Web.
  • UNT IR Strategy #8. Provide University-related information to the public through electronic communications.
  • UNT IR Strategy # 9. Enable human resource services through an appropriately secure WEB interface.

UNT Planning Initiative. "Strengthen support for research and creative activities a. Enhance internal resources devoted to research and creative activities. b. Upgrade the infrastructure that supports research and creative activities"

UNT Planning Initiative. "Provide technology, equipment, and support staff necessary for a high quality learning environment. b. Upgrade general classrooms and computer classrooms for appropriate disciplines. c. Ensure that the structure and support staff of computing and information-related systems and infrastructure provide high quality service and support to take the university into the 21st century. d. Ensure the adequacy of personal computing."

  • UNT IR Goal #5.Provide quality computing hardware, software, and services to faculty, staff, and students.

 

  • UNT IR Objective #1. Network and computer systems are immune from security breaches.
  • UNT IR Strategy #14. Provide adequate security for data communications and systems access.

 

  • UNT IR Objective #1. Most cost-effective networking technologies are employed on campus.
  • UNT IR Strategy #16. Standardize on the most prevalent Internet protocol for on-campus data communications.
    • UNT IR Action Item #48.  Convert all twisted pair Ethernet data jacks to use industry standard patch cables to connect to computing equipment.
    • UNT IR Action Item #49.  Implement IP access to host systems as the campus-wide standard.
      •
  • UNT IR Strategy #17. Evaluate new computer-telecommunications integration technologies for their contributions to UNT’s goals and adopt them when they are cost-effective.
    • UNT IR Action Item #50.  Evaluate strategies for integrating voice, data, and video communications on the University's fiber optics network.
  • UNT IR Objective #2. Expand campus high-speed network backbone to all campus buildings.
  • UNT IR Strategy #18. Extend fiber optics network to all buildings.
    • IR Action Item #51.  Complete building wiring project to include buildings that are not connected or that will be acquired by the University.
  • UNT IR Strategy #19. Establish a link between the University's fiber optics network and the fiber optics backbone operated by the city of Denton.
    • UNT IR Action Item #52.  Purchase and install necessary hardware and software to connect UNT to City fiber ring located near Matthews Hall.

Information Resources Environment

Organization and Personnel

The University maintains the personnel and skills necessary to be essentially self-sufficient in planning, acquiring, and implementing information resources technologies. Overall policy, leadership, direction, and coordination for Information Resources activities is provided through a representative committee structure:

University Planning Council. The University Planning Council serves as the central review and advisory group for institutional strategic planning and reports to the Chancellor. Membership of the UPC is composed of top-level administrators and deans as well as representatives from the faculty, staff, and student body.

Information Resources Steering Committee: The Information Resources Steering Committee is chaired by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and is composed of the UNT Vice Presidents and the UNT Health Science Center Vice President for Fiscal Affairs. The Information Resources Council reports to and submits recommendations to the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee may refer university-wide issues to the University Planning Council, which reports to the Chancellor, or act directly as appropriate.

Information Resources Council: The Information Resources Council (IRC) functions as an advisory body with respect to information resources (IR) policies, standards, services, physical facilities, and allocation of resources at UNT. The IRC advises the University Information Resources Steering Committee on IR issues. In addition, the IRC promotes cooperation, collaboration, and effective use of information technology. The Council, which meets monthly, receives and considers matters referred to it for advisement. It also initiates recommendations as needed regarding University IR policies, services, resources, and facilities, which are of concern to the University community.

Members of the IRC are representative of each college or school, the student body, administrative users, the Faculty Senate, and other IR providers on campus. The IRC is organized into standing committees or groups: a Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) coordinates the efforts of Program Groups for Instruction, Research, Administrative, Communications, and Standards & Cooperation.

Several groups distributed across the UNT organization provide information technology services:

 

 

Center for Distributed Learning. The newly established Center for Distributed Learning provides assistance to faculty members who develop and deliver course content using distributed learning technologies. Concentrating on two-way videoconferencing and Web course delivery, the CDL provides consulting as well as limited production facilities to faculty members. Skill sets most used by personnel in the CDL include videoconferencing technologies, Web page design, instructional design, and multimedia production.

Libraries: An extensive array of information resources are offered by the UNT Libraries, including a large number of electronic databases and a variety of computerized library services. The Libraries manage an extensive CD-ROM network, including on-line access to 290 CD-ROM platters totaling 188 gigabytes of storage.

Classroom Support Services: Classroom Support Services reports to the Provost & Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and provides support for instructional technology in UNT classrooms. CSS works closely with college and school distributed computing support units to insure that appropriate equipment is available and operational for classroom instruction. The technological expertise most demanded of personnel in CSS is hardware maintenance skills.

College and School Distributed Computing Support Units: Each college and school has networked general access computer labs as well as equipment and labs configured and staffed to meet the particular instructional and administrative needs of their disciplines. In addition, the distributed support units provide desktop support and LAN services to their clientele. Novell Netware knowledge is the most important requirement of distributed computing support personnel, followed closely by desktop operating system knowledge (Windows 95 and/or Windows NT) and desktop applications skills.

Microcomputer Maintenance Shop: The Director of the Microcomputer Maintenance Shop reports to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. This unit assembles and provides maintenance for most microcomputers on campus and works closely with computing support units on campus to set specifications for supported computers. Since MMS assembles and maintains both Intel and Apple computers, hardware knowledge is the most important skill set used by MMS personnel.

Computing Center: The Computing Center works closely with the Information Resources Council in recommending campus-wide computing policies, with final approval for computing policies coming from the Information Resources Steering Committee. The UNT Computing Center is directed by the Associate Vice President for Computing and managed by four directors: Academic Computing Services, Administrative Computing Services, Network & Microcomputer Services, and Mainframe Technical Services. An additional Assistant Director for Computing Center Planning and Administration provides administrative support to the Center: that position reports to the Senior Director of Academic Computing and Assistant to the Associate Vice President for Computing. The Associate Vice President for Computing reports to the Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs. A complete organization chart of the Computing Center follows. The Computing Center supports all levels of platforms, from an IBM mainframe running VM and CMS, to Unix central servers, to Novell and Windows NT servers and networks, down to desktop computers and their operating systems and applications.

Telecommunications: Telecommunications is not a separate unit within the Computing Center but reports to the Director of Network and Microcomputer Services. It is shown on the chart to clarify this important service’s place within UNT’s IR infrastructure and because it is a recent change to the organizational alignments on campus. Telecommunications is responsible for all voice telecommunications and integrated voice/data building wiring. Wiring skills plus telecommunications industry knowledge are the most important skills used by workers in this unit.

Strategic Personnel Issues

The well-known problem of the shortage of skilled information technology workers affects UNT as deeply as it does other state agencies. The close proximity of Dallas and Ft. Worth, both of which host numerous high technology companies, exacerbates the problem the University has in attracting and retaining skilled workers. Particularly hard to find are mainframe programmers who can assist in the Year 2000 remediation effort. The skills shortage spreads across all areas of computing support, however, from network managers to data communications experts to help desk workers. Although the University is able to offer attractive working conditions, educational benefits, and adequate vacations, the differential between our salaries and those available to IT workers in the metroplex regularly draws critical computing support personnel away from UNT.

 

IR Policies and Practices

Category Brief Summary/Overview
IR Priorities The responsibility for preparation of IR (Information Resources) plans and monitoring of implementation outcomes is jointly shared by the IRC (Information Resources Council,) the UNT Information Resources Manager (the Associate Vice President for Computing), and the IR Steering Committee. The IRC and its advisory groups are key to successful UNT IR planning and effective resource sharing. The University also depends on the IRC and IR Steering Committee to regularly evaluate policies for the assignment of priorities for computer use and the allocation of computing information and instructional technology resources to ensure academic and administrative needs are adequately served. Priorities for development and maintenance of administrative information systems are set by the Vice Presidents for their respective areas (jointly for applications encompassing two or more VP functional areas). Other capital funding priorities are recommended by the IRC. The IRC is structured so as to have broad representation from all areas of the University. Committee members include both faculty and administrative staff. Permanent subcommittees of the IRC which advise the IRC regarding issues related to specialized areas include:
  • Instruction Program Group
  • Research Program Group
  • Communications Program Group
  • Standards and Cooperation Program Group
  • Administrative Program Group
IR Planning Methodology The methodology used for information resources planning at UNT follows the state-mandated requirements and instructions. The responsibility for preparation of IR plans is jointly shared by the designated UNT Information Resources Manager (the Associate Vice President for Computing) and the University Information Resources Council (IRC). The Strategic Planning Committee of the IRC prepares a draft plan which is reviewed and discussed by the IRC. Additions and modifications are submitted by IRC members. Plans are then reviewed and approved by the IR Steering Committee. Plans are also reviewed by the Associate Vice President and Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Planning before going to the Chancellor for approval. The Board of Regents approves the Biennial Operating Plan for Information Technology which is based upon the IR Strategic Plan.
Operating System On the desktop, Windows 95 is the predominant operating system, with Windows NT occupying a significant number of machines on campus. DOS (along or with Windows 3.1) continues to be used (and continues to be supported) in some areas, but there is a concerted effort to move these users to a more current OS. Apple Macintosh and several versions of UNIX are also supported in some areas. Novell NetWare is the standard supported network operating system. UNIX is the standard OS for UNT's minicomputer systems. VM/CMS and OS390 are the supported operating systems on the academic partition of the IBM mainframe. MVS-ESA is supported on the administrative partition, but will be upgraded to OS390 by the end of the 1998 calendar year.
Development Methodology Major administrative applications are developed using the "LBMS Structured Development Method/Systems Engineer" methodology. This is an established approach for the analysis, design and specification of computer systems using "Composite Logical Data Design" that seeks the optimum combination of the positive features of "relational" and "entity modeling" approaches. Systems Engineer is a powerful microcomputer based software package that fully supports the LBMS methodology.
Quality Assurance Practices Providing and maintaining high quality administrative software that functions correctly and predictably is a major concern of the UNT Computing Center staff at all levels. The Administrative Computing division uses LBMS' Systems Engineer CASE (Computer Assisted Systems Engineering) product and follows LBMS' Logical Structured Development Methodology (LSDM) for developing major administrative software applications. Also, rigorous change control procedures are followed when developing, testing, and making modifications to mainframe computer programs. A separate test environment is maintained on the mainframe and all testing must occur in the test environment. (Note: Final testing of ad hoc query / report programs [i.e., programs which are "read only" and will not update production files or the production data base] may be done in the production environment.) New programs (or programs which have been modified) are tested prior to being moved to the production environment. The level of testing done is proportionate to the criticality of the program or the significance of any modifications that have been made. This testing typically includes observation and/or hands-on testing by responsible end users.
Change Control Administrative Computing programmers must receive approval of a team leader or other senior analyst in order for software to be moved from the development/test environment to production. It is the responsibility of the analyst(s) to review the testing procedures and results, then to approve the promotion of the software to production. The actual movement of the software into production is done by the Production Control staff, thereby providing for separation of duties between the development and production/operations staff. Once programs have been placed into production they can not be modified except by being "checked out" from production and placed back into the development/test environment. TreeHouse Software's N2O change control system in use automatically produces a log of changes showing the name of programs being promoted back into production, the date, and a brief explanation of changes made. Internal Audit has on-line access to the change log and they review this log at their discretion.
Security The Assistant Director for Computing Center Planning and Administration is responsible for UNT's information security function. UNT's policies for information security are in place (available on the Web at http://www.unt.edu/irc/policy/security.htm,) and are based on statewide standards. UNT believes that it is in compliance with published information resources standards, including 1 TAC 201.13(b), Information Security Standards. (The Standards were undergoing revision at the time this IR Strategic Plan was being written and UNT"s security practices may have to be slightly revised when the new standards are finally published.) Acknowledgment forms and security awareness training programs are currently in place. Physical security for UNT's major host systems is based on state standards.
Geographic Information Systems State GIS standards are used as guidelines for any new projects that could be useful to other agencies, but at this time no GIS applications or databases are in use at UNT.
Disaster Recovery/ Business Continuity Planning A Disaster Recovery Plan is written for UNT's administrative mainframe and critical data communications systems. The plan is constantly updated and improved. Testing is conducted periodically. Critical data files and programs as well as required documentation needed to resume normal operations are backed up and stored in an off-site location. The current plan uses our old mainframe computer room as a cold site. We plan to evaluate use of the West Texas Disaster Recover Operations Center by December 31, 1998.
Resource Use All UNT faculty, staff and students are permitted to utilize UNT computing resources in support of University activities. All faculty and staff have access, as appropriate, to basic microcomputer network services, such as e-mail, general application software, etc. Faculty and staff users are granted access to UNT host systems and applications as required by their respective job functions. All students have access to the General Access Computer Labs, to on-campus and dial-up access to the general Unix/Internet system (Jove,) and e-mail services on a central UNIX host. User-ID’s on other systems are granted as required to meet each student's academic needs.
Contract/Consultant No formal policy or procedures, other than normal state purchasing procedures, are used for IT consulting and contract programming. However, UNT does not use contract programming services. Occasionally, installation assistance, troubleshooting, and training is acquired in connection with software acquisitions.
Information Sharing The University regularly exchanges data via network with various State of Texas systems, including the Uniform Statewide Accounting System, State Property Accounting, Texas Payee Identification System, Automated Budget Evaluation System of Texas, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Employee Retirement System, and the Department of Public Safety. Student transcripts are exchanged with other universities and community colleges. Financial information is exchanged with the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation, banks, etc.

In addition, UNT responds to Open Records Requests through a variety of offices. The Chancellor of the University has designated UNT's Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel as the custodian of records regarding all requests for information under the Open Records Act. Departments may respond directly to the requests with notification to the Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel or the departments may provide the requested information to the Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel's Office, which forward it to the requestor.
Training and Continuing Education Managers of information technology workers make the determination of training and education needs of their employees and make arrangements to provide requisite training to those employees. The University has an extensive training program for common desktop operating systems and applications as well as provides LAN access to a large number of computer-based training packages that have been purchased. The Human Resources department maintains records of employees’ attendance at UNT training programs.

 

Agency Platforms, Systems, and Telecommunications

Agency Platforms and Systems
Category Type Operating System Database Mgmt. System Capacity/ Size/Count Comments/Descriptive Information
Mainframe IBM 9672-R24 MVS/ESA, VM/CMS, OS/390 ADABAS 82 MIPS The IBM 9672-R24 is a CMOS-based air-cooled mainframe which uses two central processing units to deliver approximately 82 MIPS processing capacity. Characteristics of this machine include minimal space requirements, low power consumption, and low air conditioning (cooling) requirements. The machine has logical partitioning capabilities, which allows our academic functions (instruction and research activities) and administrative functions to each operate in separate logical partitions, so that it appears to each functional area as though they were using two physically separate machines. The processing capacity available to each logical partition is adjustable. Unused CPU cycles in either partition can be used by programs in the other partition. This reduces the impact of short "bursts" of CPU-intensive activities in either partition.
Minicomputer Sun Ultra Enterprise 500 Solaris 2.6 None 8 UltraSparc 250MHz CPU’s Primary academic research computer
Minicomputer Sun SparcServer 100E Solaris 2.6 None 4 SuperSparc 85 MHz CPU’s Primary student Internet access/e-mail server
Lan Servers (central) Locally-assembled Novell Netware 4.11 None about 104 servers Most LAN servers are assembled and supported by the Microcomputer Maintenance Shop
Lan Servers (central) Locally-assembled Windows NT 4.0 None about 25 servers Windows NT servers generally are not used for file and print services, but for Web and various application services. Most LAN servers are assembled and supported by the Microcomputer Maintenance Shop.
LAN Servers (Remote) Locally-assembled Novell Netware 4.11 None 1 server One server is located at the Dallas Education Center to support administrative applications and a computer lab there
LAN Client/ Workstations (Central) Locally-assembled or Mac Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, DOS, or Macintosh None 5800+ Approximately 15% of the microcomputers on campus are Macintosh machines. Most Intel-based computers are assembled on campus by the Microcomputer Maintenance Shop and run Windows 95, with a significant number running Windows NT 4.0
LAN Client/ Workstations (Remote) Locally-assembled Windows 95 None 25 The University supports administrative and student computer lab machines at the Dallas Education Center
WAN Servers Mail Servers Novell Netware 4.11,/Groupwise 5.2

Sun Solaris 2.5/IMAP

 None 11 Novell servers, one Unix server Groupwise is the primary mail system used by faculty and staff and is supported by 11 PC-based servers. Student e-mail services are provided centrally through an IMAP server running on a Sun Unix server that is accessed using the Simeon software package that was purchased from Esys Corporation.
WAN Servers Web Netscape Enterprise, MS Internet Information Server None 2 The primary central Web server is a Sun Netra running Netscape Enterprise server software. In addition, a Compaq server running IIS is used for specialized Web applications. A number of departmental and/or college Web servers are employed on campus as well but are not included in the count here.
WAN Servers Internet News Server Sun Solaris 2.5 None 1 A Sun SparcServer 20 supports the newsgroup service.
WAN Servers Internet Mail Router, Mailing List Server Sun Solaris 2.5 None 1 A Sun SparcServer 20 hosts the Internet mail router and listserv services.
WAN Servers DNS, BootP, MX[Mail Exchange] and DHCP Servers Sun Solaris 5.2 None 9 Intent is one local DNS server per router interface. Three local servers will handle internet DNS requests. One off-site backup will be located at utexas.edu. Some low traffic router interfaces will not have local DNS servers. Two centrally located servers will answer DHCP requests. All network managers on campus can manage their own MX/BootP/DHCP/DNS configurations with the software developed here at UNT.
Standalone PC Workstations PC DOS None about 300 Some special-purpose PC’s such as lab data collection machines are not attached to the network. In addition, some obsolescent machines are not on the network.

 

 

 

 

Telecommunications Information
Category Type Capacity/ Size/Count Comments/ Descriptive Information
Hubs Cabletron 48 port / 19

144 port / 41
Allied Telesyn AT3624x 24 port / 134
Hub Routers & Switches (Remote) Cisco 7xxx series routers / 2 UNT’s on-campus router is located in ISB 133E, while its Internet router is located in GAB 560. Internet connectivity is provided through GSC via CAPnet, at a connection located at the UT Dallas campus. Additional switching equipment is located in these two rooms with smaller concentrations in Chilton Hall, Matthews Hall, and Willis Library.
Cisco 1201/2

1211/4

2800/4

3000/8
Intel Express/1
3Com LinkSwitch 1000/4
NetVantage NV7500/1
Remote Bandwidth Analog N/A Number of Lines All analog services are provided over digital PRI lines
Remote Bandwidth Digital 56K or less N/A None  
Remote Bandwidth Digital T1 N/A 4  
Remote Bandwidth ISDN (BRI) N/A 14  
Remote Bandwidth ISDN (PRI)   12 each providing 23-24 channels of digital/ analog service
DTE/End User Equipment Arrangement Workstations, LANs, Mainframe Devices, Other N/A  
Supported Protocols Network supported protocols IP  
Internet Service Provider Vendor   The University is its own ISP
Shared Network General Services Commission, HHSCN, University (specify), Own, Other N/A GSC, TTVN, VidNet

 

Voice Communications

The University entered into a five-year Centranet contract with GTE-Southwest in January 1996. Enhanced features and call processing abilities, along with a significant rate reduction were a part of the contract. Fully integrated Voice Messaging (Voice Mail) using a Central Office based system was implemented in May 1992.

The voice network utilizes a NorTel 100 Digital Central Office switching system, in a Centrex arrangement called Centranet, provided by GTE-Southwest. Currently, there are 3800 academic/administrative stations, 2200 residence hall stations and 900 voice mail boxes. Service is provided through a Custom Assembly Tariff, written specifically for the University, and regulated through the Texas Public Utilities Commission. Payment is made monthly based on the actual number of working lines/stations, voice mail boxes, etc.

Telecommunication services are provided through a hybrid approach. The regulated telephone company services includes the Centranet switching system, system features/functions (software) and the outside cable distribution plant to each building. Maintenance and modifications are provided by GTE as a part of the monthly service charge. The agency owns the inside distribution system (riser cable), station wire and station terminal equipment (telephone sets). The station equipment is approximately 97% single-line analog sets, 3% multi-line analog sets, and growing number of proprietary digital sets. In-house Telecomm staff perform adds, moves and changes, as well as maintain all station equipment. Central office services related to adds, moves and changes (i.e. connection of new lines) are handled by GTE personnel.

The switching system provides features such as Automatic Least Cost Routing (ARS) with Modular Detail Reporting (MDR). The ARS is made up of Foreign Exchange Lines and STS-Texan Lines. STS is utilized for both Intrastate and Interstate long distance. Approximately 55% of the long distance calls are routed into the immediate Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex via FX service, 20% on STS-Texan to other Intrastate locations, and the remaining 25% processed to Interstate locations. MDR is utilized to allocate the cost of all calls across appropriate departments. This, as well as monthly service costs, are charged back to the individual departments within the university. This provides audit information and encourages cost containment.

Data Communications

The university now has two campus-wide data communications backbones: a fiber optics network and a broadband CATV-based, video and data communications network. The fiber optics communications backbone now links 44 buildings. In addition, there are four buildings serviced by 10Broad24 Ethernet via the CATV (broadband) backbone. Two remotely located buildings are connected to the campus backbone via a WinData microwave link operating in full duplex mode at 5.7 megabits/second. The fiber backbone positions the university to take advantage of superior, industry standard, data communications technologies at higher speeds than those possible with the broadband network.

Thirty-five buildings have been equipped throughout with high speed (10BaseT twisted pair Ethernet) wiring and communications electronics to connect to the fiber backbone. Eight additional buildings have extensive 10BaseT Ethernet installations.

Seventy NetWare file servers are now linked via the campus backbone in addition to thirty that perform various communications and other specialized functions. The University has seen an influx of Windows NT servers, which currently number about twenty-five. A microcomputer-based, campus-wide, E-mail system is now in place and expanding rapidly. High speed (Ethernet and T1) access to UNT, Texas, national, and international library resources and remote computing facilities is now available via the upgraded network.

The following matrix indicates the protocols supported on the University's data communications networks:

Network

Protocols
Fiber optics backbone IP, IPX, Appletalk
Broadband/CATV backbone IPX, Localnet 20, Bisync, 10Broad24, SNA/SDLC, IP, Appletalk
T1 to UNTHSC IP, IPX, RJE, SNA/SDLC, RSCS encapsulated in IP
T1 to UTD IP
Departmental networks IP, IPX, Localtalk, RS232, Appletalk, Ethertalk
SAA gateway attachment to IBM 3174 SNA/SDLC
Dedicated twisted pair wire to remote printers from IBM mainframe RJE

 

Note: IP refers to the Internet Protocol portion of the TCP/IP protocol suite.

The University is well-positioned to migrate to emerging industry standards and high-speed technologies. At present, off-campus connectivity via TCP/IP is the campus standard. A key element in the University's messaging strategies is support of the Internet SMTP and MIME standards.

The University of North Texas Video Network (UNTVN) has been developed over the past year to provide two-way interactive videoconferencing connectivity to high-technology classrooms on campus, at three remote sites in the metroplex, and to standards-based videoconference networks in the state. UNTVN’s infrastructure is designed using ISDN switches, video hubs and codecs. The backbone infrastructure consists of ISDN switches with PRI and BRI Interfaces supporting video hubs and codecs. The backbone also provides a gateway to other regional video networks such as VIDNET, TTVN and Public Switched Telephone Network.

 

Interagency Network Participation

The campus network is connected to wide area network services including the Internet via CAPnet. Another T1 circuit to Fort Worth links the UNT and the UNT Health Science Center networks. All of these connections to wide area networks employ Cisco routers. Remote access to UNT hosts and networks via Ascend communication servers connected to GTE and Southwestern Bell telephone lines. UNT's VTEL video-conferencing systems is connected to TTVN via a T1 link, which is shared by the Health Science Center and Texas Woman's University. Several additional video-conferencing systems with dedicated links exist within the university’s colleges and schools.

The University regularly exchanges data via network with various State of Texas systems, including the Uniform Statewide Accounting System, State Property Accounting, Texas Payee Identification System, Automated Budget Evaluation System of Texas, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Employee Retirement System, and the Department of Public Safety. Student transcripts are exchanged with other universities and community colleges. Financial information is exchanged with the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation, banks, etc. Academic departments share information with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as associations and other discipline-specific groups.

Agency Databases

Database Name Admissions Management System (AMS) Database
Database Description This database contains basic information for all categories of applicants to the University. It and the system which maintains the database includes provisions for communicating with students re. missing information, etc. Information maintained is electronically passed to the SRS (Student Records System) when admitted applicants actually register to become students.
Database System ADABAS
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements 0.04 GB
Year 2000 Y2K Compliance Unit(s): ADMN0180, ADMN0230
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS) operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing  
Future Other than changes required to achieve Y2K compliance, no major changes are currently planned for this database during this planning period. There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

Database Name Advancement / Development Information System (ADIS) Database
Database Description This database and the application which maintains it collects, maintains, and reports detail information about all UNT alumni and other specific donors and supplies information for various solicitation campaigns.
Database System ADABAS
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements 0.14 GB
Year 2000 Y2K Compliance Unit(s): ADMN0410
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS) operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing  
Future Other than modifications required to achieve Y2k compliance, no major changes are currently planned for this database during this planning period. There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

 

Database Name Billing / Receivables System (BRS) Database
Database Description This database and the application which maintains it collects, maintains, and reports student accounts receivable information. Information is electronically exchanged with the Student Records System (SRS) and the Financial Aid Management System (FAMS)
Database System ADABAS
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements 1.57 GB
Year 2000 Y2K Compliance Unit(s): ADMN0210
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS) operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing  
Future Modifications planned to this database during the current planning period include:
  • Changes required to achieve Y2K compliance
  • Changes required to accommodate new federal tax reporting guidelines related to Hope Scholarship legislation.

There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

Database Name Capital Equipment Account Tracking System (CEATS) Database
Database Description This database and the application which maintains it collects, maintains, and reports detail property information about individual items of capital/controlled equipment, including purchase date and cost, current location, general ledger data, acquiring account, person with inventory responsibility for the equipment, etc. System is interfaced to the State Comptroller's State Property Accounting (SPA) to provide that system with data mandated by the State Comptroller.
Database System ADABAS
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements 0.16 GB
Year 2000 Y2K Compliance Unit(s): ADMN0270
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS) operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing UNT transmits transactions quarterly reflecting activity in CEATS to the State Property Accounting System (SPA). Additionally the Agency Extract from SPA is utilized by UNT's CEATS to produce a reconciliation report for UNT's property manager. UNT's Property Manager interfaces online with SPA to enter some transactions which cannot be sent via batch due to timing or functional reasons. UNT's Property Manager also uses the inquiry functions in SPA.
Future Other than modifications required to achieve Y2k compliance, no major changes are currently planned for this database during this planning period. There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

Database Name Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) Database
Database Description DARS or the audit report is designed to compare a student's academic work - at any point in the student's career - with the requirements of an institution's academic program or programs, and to prepare a comprehensive report detailing the student's progress toward meeting those requirements. The report may be produced to report all satisfied requirements first following by any unsatisfied requirements, vice versa, or to report using several other run options.

Audit reports may be prepared in either a "batch" or "on-line" mode. Batch reports are usually prepared for large numbers of students as might be needed prior to student registration, or for all degree candidates, or for a particular major or college.

On-line reports are typically prepared to handle individual student advising needs, to determine where a student would stand in some other academic program, or in using another catalog year/term, ("what if" type questions), or to confirm the affects of some academic program "exception" action for a student.

The Transfer Equivalency System (TRES), a subsystem of DARS, provides automated support for determining the transferability of course work from other institutions (whose courses have been evaluated) to determine the UNT equivalent. Currently this includes all community/junior colleges in Texas and selected senior-level universities. Classes from other institutions for which course equivalencies have been established can be evaluated to determine the applicability of those courses toward a UNT degree. Course data for individual students are either input through a computer terminal or received electronically over the AHE Electronic Transcript Network. Transcripts/reports are then produced showing the equivalency of the course work.
Database System ADABAS
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements 0.25 GB
Year 2000 Already Year 2000 Compliant. Not entered into DIR's Year 2000 Tracking Database.
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS)operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing Transfer equivalency information is provided to community colleges.
Future No major changes are currently planned for this database during this planning period. There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

Database Name Development Query System Database
Database Description This database contains selected data from the Advancement / Development System which is periodically downloaded from that system and stored in an ORACLE database file on a database server attached to the campus network. This database is made available to Advancement Personnel, College Development Officers, and others (as deemed appropriate by the Advancement Office administrators) who use Esperant or other PC-based end-user oriented query and reporting software tools to run ad-hoc queries and produce reports as needed.
Database System ORACLE
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements 0.75 GB
Year 2000 Already Year 2000 compliant. Not entered into DIR's Y2K Tracking Database
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS) operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing  
Future No major changes are currently planned for this database during this planning period. There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

Database Name Financial Aid Management System (FAMS) Database
Database Description This database contains information necessary to allow applicants for student financial aid to be considered for available funds. The database and the application which maintains it support financial aid awarding, packaging, student notification, and BRS system feed functions.
Database System ADABAS
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements 1.1 GB
Year 2000 Y2K Compliance Unit(s): ADMN0190, ADMN0200, ADMN0180
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS) operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing  
Future Modifications planned for this database during this planning period include:
  • Changes required to achieve Y2K compliance
  • Maintenance modifications required to comply with periodic changes in federal regulations

There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

Database Name General Ledger Accounting System (GLAS) Database
Database Description This database contains basic general ledger accounting information. It and the application which maintains it provide the following functions: 1) post and maintain the general ledger, 2) process claims to produce payments to vendors operating on a modified accrual basis, and 3) produce periodic accounting statements as required by the University, and to meet state and federal reporting requirements. Also allows for on-line inquiry and display of departmental account balances. System is interfaced to the State Comptroller's Uniform Statewide Accounting System (USAS) to provide that system with information as mandated by the State Comptroller. System is used by both UNT and UNT Health Science Center.
Database System ADABAS
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements 1.56 GB
Year 2000 Y2K Compliance Unit(s): ADMN0260
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS) operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing Selected transactions from the GLAS are sent daily to the comptroller's office to be posted in USAS. Encumbrance balances and payable balances from GLAS are calculated are transmitted quarterly to be posted in USAS. UNT receives the USAS History extract and updates some tracking information in GLAS from USAS. Additionally reports are printed locally and distributed to UNT Controller office personnel. UNT Controller Office personnel also interface online to input certain transactions directly into USAS.
Future Other than modifications required to achieve Y2K compliance, no major changes are currently planned for this database during this planning period. There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

Database Name Housing Information System Database
Database Description This database contains information about housing assignments and financial information for residential students. The Housing Information System application collects and maintains this information. It also generates accounts receivable transactions, student bills, and payment receipts. Data are available to the residential system. Demographic data are passed to the Student Record System each semester for update and comparative purposes.
Database System ORACLE
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements  
Year 2000 Y2K Compliance Unit(s): HOUS0010
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS) operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing  
Future Other than modifications required to achieve Y2K compliance, no major changes are currently planned for this database during this planning period. There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

Database Name Payroll/Personnel / Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS) Database
Database Description This database contains basic payroll and human resources / personnel information about employees. It contains the necessary information to allow automated support for payroll processing (including mandatory associated record-keeping and reporting) as well as meeting the special, complex, and critical management information needs of the University for Payroll/Personnel related information. The overall HRMIS system (which collects and maintains the information in this database) includes four major sub-systems as follows:1) Employee Maintenance: Accommodates all master file maintenance activities related to employee-related data, benefits enrollments, and assorted codes used in payroll processing. 2) Payroll Detail: Supports gross pay and net pay calculations, printing of checks, processing of check reversals, payment of benefits vendors, and periodic payroll reporting. 3) Budgets: Supports all activities associated with the preparation of fiscal year budgets, including both personnel and non-personnel items. 4) Position Control: Supports the requisition and support of individuals to fill those positions. System is used by both UNT and UNTHSC.
Database System ADABAS
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements 1.82 GB
Year 2000 Y2K Compliance Unit(s): ADMN0290, ADMN0300, ADMN0305, ADMN0310, ADMN0320, ADMN0330, ADMN0340,ADMN0350, ADMN0360
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS) operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing

Employee Retirement System - Two way interface of all information concerning state provided insurance benefits in support of plan administration and premium reconciliation. Online inquiry and update of the ERS system in Austin is available locally.

Comptroller's Human Resource Information System - Interface of payroll and personnel data to the states human resource reporting database. Online inquiry and update of the HRIS database in Austin is available locally.

Uniform Statewide Accounting System - Transmission of state paid payroll information to Austin for reimbursement. Online inquiry and some updating of the USAS system in Austin is available locally.

Future Other than changes required to achieve Y2K compliance, no major modifications are planned for this database during this planning period. There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

Database Name Student Records System (SRS) Database
Database Description This database contains information about current students, and course-related information (by term). It also contains facilities (building and room) information to support course scheduling. The database contains the information necessary to allow the SRS application (which collects and maintains the information in the database) to report students' permanent academic record (transcript) information. It also supports student registration for classes via the Telephone Registration (Telreg) System, and via on-line terminals.
Database System ADABAS
Estimated Physical Storage Requirements 1.2 GB
Year 2000 Y2K Compliance Unit(s): ADMN0180, ADMN0220
GIS Data Classification This database does not support spatial (GIS) operations and does not contain geographic data.
Sharing CBM001, 002, 004, 003, 005, 008, and 009 reports are sent to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board via FTP. The IPEDS and VA reports are sent to the appropriate federal agency and the NCAA reports are sent to the NCAA. All are sent via FTP.
Future Other than modifications required to achieve Y2K compliance, no major changes are currently planned for this database during this planning period. There are no plans to add or enhance GIS functionality or to link this database to a GIS.

 

Database Name Telephone Information System (TIMS) Database
Database Description This database contains detail information about university telephones (location, characteristics, etc.) and usage for long-distance calls. The TIMS application which collects, maintains, and reports the information contained in the database receives long-distance call information from local telephone companies (GTE and AT&T), produces statements (bills), and electronically passes information to the General Ledger Accounting System (GLAS).
Database System ADABAS