Implementation Strategy for 1996-97
Implementation Strategy for 1996-97As of October 1, 1995, the specific implementation directions supported by Information Systems in its efforts to realize this philosophy include:
The Library will update its technology report and revise its computer and communications concept paper for the WT Young Library and the information centers. It will also update its remote access guide, particularly focusing on the implications and impact of the UK OnLine system.
The Library will strengthen the selection, access, service, and education and training programs that relate to information in electronic form. The Library will work toward creating and maintaining a single front-end (a uniform "gateway") that will be available to all patrons for access to all forms of information, regardless of where it is located. Furthermore, the Library will increase its digitizing activities, through its preservation and records program and the new E-text Center.
The University will continue the expansion of the UNIX-based POP3 e-mail servers as the primary engines for e-mail. Eudora Professional will continue to be supported as the desktop client for end-users. This same messaging environment will be expanded into the Community Colleges. Web servers and news groups will have a far greater role in the efficient delivery of information to the University community. Information Systems will consider means to create a central strategy for development and implementation of University-related web sites.
Ethernet users will continue to access the campus ethernet network through Cisco terminal servers that support TCP/IP using SLIP and PPP, support Appletalk using Appletalk Remote Access (ARA), and use authentication to ensure the security of the network. Novell's Connect server product will be used to allow remote access to Novell network servers, providing remote support for DOS, Windows, and Macintosh computers, and using authentication to ensure the security of the network.
Information Systems will facilitate remote access to computing and the Internet for the University community. With UK OnLine, an Internet access service offered through MCI at a low monthly fee, users have the ability to do from home, or any other remote location, the tasks that can now be performed on campus from a computer that is connected to the campus ethernet backbone. UK OnLine provides full Internet access, including World Wide Web services. Via UK OnLine, users can also connect to their UK e-mail accounts to communicate with colleagues and students anywhere in the world. Users can access the UK research computers to submit jobs and obtain output just as they would from their office or lab. The University continues to maintain some inbound modem ports at no charge to the user; however, resources outside of the University cannot be reached from these ports.
During the academic year 1995-96, the University will determine the next enhancement to its research computing platforms. The system will be installed as soon thereafter as feasible. The operating system will be Unix-based. The system will be capable of running all of the standard research application packages (e.g., SAS) and subroutine packages (e.g., IMSL and NAG).
In order for all units of the University to share access to and take maximum advantage of the growing common base of data, systems must be compatible. It is not economically feasible for Information Systems to provide translators for many different proprietary systems. It is necessary to standardize on one approach. The chosen approach is Unix-based. The transition from existing legacy systems will take several years; however, Information Systems will not support any new systems that are not compatible with this choice. Information Systems will provide consultation and assistance in the selection and installation of new, replacement systems that comply with the open systems, Unix-based strategy.
The FRS data extract project is currently in production. Data from the institutional FRS database is extracted each evening and is used to create a Sybase relational database. Common queries have been developed using the OMNIS cross-platform development tool, and the Brio SQL query tools are used for ad hoc reporting. The HRS database extract project is well under way and should be in production by early Spring 1996. The SIS database extract will be the next project to be undertaken. Preliminary work has begun by identifying the data elements to be extracted from SIS to the Sybase environment for degree audit, ad hoc reporting, and student record information. When all systems are in production, data will be extracted from these mainframe databases and placed in relational databases on servers for access by authorized users via the network. Sybase, OMNIS, and the Brio query tools are the database tools that Information Systems currently supports centrally.
All desktop computing applications (word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, databases, etc.) are supported on the variety of systems available in the public access computing laboratories located at numerous sites on campus. Many labs also provide specialized software to support the colleges in their educational missions. Computer language compilers, database systems, and other computer science software are provided on a centralized student access computer as well as in the workstation laboratories.
The number of public access computing stations on the campus has been increased to 1,000. Some labs have 24 hour access; other labs are open according to usage patterns and building availability. Three new laboratories will be completed by July 1, 1996, with more planned thereafter. Information Systems will establish at least two new technology-equipped classrooms in each of the next two years, and will consider the need to expand the number of student computing stations beyond the current 1,000 and to ensure that appropriate software and courseware be available in the student laboratories.
Currently, the Integrated Learning Technologies group in the Library, in cooperation with the office of Distance Learning in University Extension, is supporting expansion of the interactive video network that enables distance learning across the Commonwealth. A United States Department of Education Star Schools grant is allowing the installation of a total of seven new interactive video classrooms located in key sites around the state. This installation will be completed by the end of 1996. Information Systems will continue to support the expansion of the University's distance learning program.
In order to bring specialized, high-level support to faculty members to assist them in the integration of technology into their instructional activities, Information Systems has initiated a program of College Technology Coordinators. Each coordinator is co-funded by a college and Information Systems. The coordinator is housed in the college, provides on-site, personal consultation for faculty members, but also reports to the Academic Computing Services group of Information Systems to ensure close cooperation with all centrally provided computing resources and support. The first two coordinators have proven of enormous benefit to their colleges during the past year. Current plans are for more coordinators to be appointed soon.
Information Systems is cooperating in the creation of FACTS Centers at various community colleges and is supporting the continued growth of the original Center in McVey Hall and the Medical Center (MC) FACTS Center. The goal is to always have available state-of-the-art equipment and software for faculty members to review and test. The FACTS Centers will concentrate their efforts on increased support for faculty members endeavoring to integrate technology into the instructional process, by providing multimedia and instructional design expertise in partnership with the faculty member. Information Systems is also supporting growth of the Help Desk and the Information Technology Training Center (ITTC) in several ways. During the 1995-96 academic year, renovations of McVey Hall will continue, to provide increased and improved facilities for these two functions. Several staff members have been added to each group by strategically reallocating positions in Information Systems. The Help Desk and ITTC are now working closely together to provide training and support for the computing and communications products and services supported by Information Systems.
In an effort to provide the University with the highest quality desktop computing platforms at the lowest possible cost, and at the same time to simplify support of desktop systems, Information Systems has negotiated extremely attractive lease plans and purchase price contracts with HP, IBM, and Apple. It is hoped that, as University users buy new equipment, they will begin to standardize on fewer vendors for their high quality platforms. Information Systems will provide support for those platforms, but not for others. In this way, higher quality service will be available, because there will be many fewer variables of hardware, peripherals, software, and connectivity.
Information Systems will continue to support only specific software products through the Help Desk, the FACTS Center, the University Microlabs, and Information Systems Consultants. The current desktop operating systems that are supported include Macintosh, DOS, Windows, NeXT, and Unix. Currently, Information Systems is supporting the remote access features of Windows 95; full on-campus support will begin in early 1996. A detailed statement of UK Information Systems' policy for support of Windows '95 and of the known limitations relative to Windows '95 of current applications packages that are commonly used on campus is available on-line via the UK WorldWide Web home page. A list of the currently supported applications packages such as word processors, spreadsheets, and databases is maintained by the Help Desk.
Desktop maintenance, repair and support services for personal computers and printers, and on-site desktop application software support services will be provided by a third-party contractor. The current contract is with Pomeroy, which can provide warranty service, annual maintenance agreements, and time and materials service. Service will be available at the main campus and at each community college campus. Pomeroy will not provide Local Area Network installation or support services or Netware support.
Novell Netware 4.1 is the current standard for Local Area Networks (LANs) and NovellŐs Netware Directory Services (NDS) will be the enterprise directory for all campus LANs. Novell Netware 3.11 & 3.12 will be supported during the transition of all servers to Netware 4.1. All Local Area Network central administration will be the responsibility of Information Systems.
The campus backbone is a 100MB FDDI backbone that utilizes Cisco routers connected by fiber optic cable. The routers provide a routed campus ethernet network for buildings on the Lexington, Medical Center, and Lexington Community College campuses. All present buildings on the campus broadband UKnet network will be subnetted as they convert from the UKnet broadband network to the FDDI backbone. Information Systems staff will work with all colleges and departments that have campus asynchronous connections to provide a migration plan to move to the campus ethernet backbone. The campus FDDI network will route the three leading network standard protocols TCP/IP, IPX/SPX (Netware), and Appletalk. These routed protocols will be the campus standard and will be supported by staff in Information Systems. All other protocols on the network will continue to be bridged and will not be a campus-supported network protocol.
HP Openview is the supported campus network management standard. Ciscoworks, Ungerman-Bass Net Director, and Newbridge 4602 are supporting management applications that complement HP Openview. All networking components (concentrators, bridges, routers, and ethernet switches) must support Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and be capable of being monitored by HP Openview. Centralized management services are the responsibility of the Wide Area Network (WAN) systems programmers. The WAN programmers are responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining a Change Management system for the University of Kentucky and community colleges' Wide Area Networks. All hardware and software supported by Information Systems will be allowed as components of the campus network.
