Minutes of the Computing Advisory Committee Meeting

29 November 1999

 

Those attending: JP Dunn, Mike Wainer, Duke Koch, Al Allen, David Blakesley, Larry Schilling, Jim Duggan, Geoff Nathan (recorder), Ruth Bernhardt, Carolyn Snyder, Dennis Leitner.

Reports on IT and Y2K

Al Allen reported on current progress within IT. The new higher speed modems have been installed and are functioning, but work is still being done on migrating passwords and other security questions. A recent security audit finding has come out all right. IT is currently investigating the possibility of consolidating mainframes across campuses, perhaps in order to save money for Oracle. SIUC’s IT is also investigating the Edwardsville desktop leasing program, which may be a good deal for Carbondale. They are also investigating Edwardsville’s software licensing programs.

In response to a question about how modems will be allocate, Al stated that it was likely that some of the dial-up lines will be reserved for faculty and staff use. On the other hand, he was not aware of any decisions about allocation of amounts of connection time (analagous to the 30 minute and 4 hour system currently in use).

Finally Al reported that new Y2K compliant versions of VM and MVS are operational.. Geoff reported that a deal has been made for bulk purchase of PC’s in connection with the Y2K initiative. By the end of the week people should be able to order computers within this program. The computers are Dells, 500 megahertz machines with 13.5 Gig hard drives and 128 meg. of RAM. Further details will be forthcoming, but prices will be under $1500.

Proposal by ATS

Discussion then proceeded on the presentation at the previous meeting by ATS on desktop management. It was pointed out that recent articles on outsourcing desktops at other universities had pointed out that problems arose when the universities did not fully articulate what it was that they wanted the company to do for them.

Carolyn suggested outlining the issues that the committee had identified and referring Vice Chancellor Poshard to some of the articles that the group had read. It was noted that it will take a while to articulate what SIUC needs, and even what it currently has. One possibility would be to start a pilot project with some subset of particularly needy departments and give both the University and ATS the opportunity to get to know each other. Geoff agreed to draft a resolution on the subject which he would circulate to the group before sending it on to Poshard. It was suggested that unclarity about what would happen with the current help desk was an additional issue that needed to be addressed.

Internet II Subcommittee Report

David presented the reports that he had developed out of the subcommittee meetings--a technical report and a formal resolution and letter of application. Carolyn formally thanked David for his work in developing these papers. It was pointed out that the most difficult aspect of the requirements is the connection to a GigaPOP. One possible avenue would be through the Illinois Century Network via Springfield, with the assistance of ISBE and IBHE. It seems that the interpretation of the $500,000 spending requirement is fairly loose. The cost of connecting colleges within the campus would certainly constitute part of that commitment.

The difference between full membership and associate membership seems to be having ‘a place at the table’ and having additional opportunities for funding. David suggested that joining would stimulate the kind of planning that SIUC needs to do on infrastructure and application development.

It appears that we do not need to be actually connected to a GigaPOP, but to be working on the connection. It is hoped that the fact of membership will serve as a stimulus to developing applications. In addition, we need to find out to what extent the Medical School would be interested in getting involved.

An additional clause was added to the resolution, reading as follows:

Be it further resolved that the Project Team prepare a report on how current and future University resources will need to be marshalled to implement and maintain this recommendation.

In addition, the clause specifying the membership of the Project Team was amended to read

...consisting at a minimum of an Executive Liaison...

After little further discussion the resolution was passed unanimously, and Geoff will prepare a cover letter and forward the package to Chancellor Jackson.

Geoff distributed a preliminary connection survey, and it was agreed that the Long-Range plan would be revisited (everybody should reread it) at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be Monday, December 13 at 8:30 in the Library Conference room.