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In This Issue
CNS - General
FEMA Grant Means New Windows for Bryant Hall
The 2004 hurricane season got a lot of people at CNS thinking about what
they
could do to keep UF's data and connectivity safe in the event of a direct
hit by a big storm. One of the solutions they came up with: reinforced
glass for the big windows facing the machine rooms in Bryant Hall.
Complete Story at Right
Twenty Years of Connectivity for UF
September 25, 1987 - The University of Florida made its first connection
to the Internet on this date. The connection was to SURAnet via 56Kbps
digital data service (DDS) to the University of Maryland via the Proteon
P4200 router pictured here. The pictures show the router in its retired
state after a processor upgrade and interfaces were introduced.
Start-of-Term Load
Each semester, CNS staff anticipates that z/OS (mainframe) system load will be near or at
capacity during the first week of classes. During
this time period beginning-of-term work supporting schedule adjustment is
our top priority, and the system is tuned to favor this student-related
work load.
Q&A: Can I back up my e-mail?
Q:
I'd like to be able to back up my past e-mails onto a CD or other
storage so that I can delete them from my Webmail, as my quota keeps
filling up. Is this possible? (ANON)
A:
You can download and archive mail from your GatorLink account by using
the POP server (pop.ufl.edu).
/Update Feature: How We Are Doing: A CNS Report Card
Each issue in this space, we will offer links to statistical information about
CNS's services so that you can see...how we're doing.
These reports have been revamped to provide better statistical tracking of all the types of customer responses CNS provides. Graphs show
statistics in Network Services, Open Systems, Infrastructure, and other CNS services for the previous month, the current month to date,
the last seven days, and the immediate previous day, updated daily.
Training Opportunities
New On-Line Training Provider; New Courses Available
The merger of NETg with SkillSoft has provided an opportunity for you to access new courses not previously available.
Included in the new list, in addition to popular topics such as MS Office, Adobe CS, Dreamweaver, and Flash, are some more
management-oriented topics, such as a 6-course introduction to the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), and several Project Management titles.
Peer2Peer Coming April 3rd; Mark Your Calendars
If you coach a sports team, you know how important it is to have depth in every position. It's the same with work teams. IT managers
know that cross-functional peer training is one of the best ways to sharpen the skills of the whole team. That's exactly what the
IT Training Committee was thinking when it began offering Peer2Peer Training. It's also why this continues to be one of the most
popular sessions we offer.
The next Peer2Peer session will be held on April 3 in Room 282 at the Reitz Union, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. There's no need to
register...just come on in! Peer2Peer sessions are free and open to the public.
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What:
Sessions on current IT topics. Watch this space for information as it becomes available.
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When:
April 3, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
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Where:
J. Wayne Reitz Union, Room 282
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Cost:
Free - Open to the public
Look for more information at
http://it-training.ufl.edu
or send e-mail to
ittc-l@lists.ufl.edu. See you on April 3 at 8:30 am!
IT Orientation Coming April 24th
If you or someone you work with is a new employee involved with information technology at UF, save this date! We know you'll find your
time here both interesting and rewarding; but as with all things rewarding, there's a challenge. Learning your way around an environment as diverse as
the IT landscape at UF certainly qualifies. That's where the IT Orientation sessions come in.
IT Orientation training sessions are packed with information designed to offer new employees an overview of available IT resources.
Current employees are encouraged to attend for a refresher course on their resources and responsibilities as an information technology
user at the University of Florida.
IT Orientation Training is presented twice a year, during the Fall and Spring semesters. The next UF IT Orientation Training for New IT
Employees is scheduled at this time:
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What:
IT Orientation
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When:
April 24, 2008, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
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Where:
CITT Lab, 2215 Turlington Hall. A map and directions are here.
To sign up, fill out an online registration form. Please join us to network with your
fellow IT employees--and get ready to learn!
Security Watch
IT Security & YOU: Draft Policies Available for Review
Did you know that the Information Security Advisory Committee (ITAC-ISM) is working on several drafts of new and revised standards and guidelines. You can see the latest versions at http://www.it.ufl.edu/policies/security/drafts.html .
Security Honor Roll: Zero Security Incidents During Fall 2007
Fifteen UF units are being recognized for outstanding IT Security performance,
having had ZERO security incidents during the Fall 2007 term. We appreciate the skill and hard work they put in to achieve this goal.
By their efforts they have helped keep UF's IT environment safer for us all. See if your unit was among them!
Lightning Talks Will Continue: Stay Tuned!
John Sawyer, left, and former Security Team member Jordan Wiens talk to UF IT staff.
UF Security Team Engineer John Sawyer plans to continue the informal Lightning Talks he began last year as a way to reach out to IT
Security personnel throughout the UF community.
The popular, informal sessions are set up to take questions on whatever topics are on the minds of the "front lines" of IT security
staff. Sawyer is finalizing dates and locations for Lightning Talks in the next few weeks.
Watch for more information here and at the
UF IT Security website.
Network Services
Upgrades to UFL Core Network Underway
CNS has begun conducting incremental upgrades to the UFL core network.
Over the next few months, we will be increasing the density of our 10G
capabilities in the campus "Nexus" routers. These routers aggregate all
UFL core routers into two locations on campus, the Space Science Research
Building, and the Centrex facility. This increase in density will allow
future core 10G upgrades.
New Equipment for VPN Infrastructure Supports Better Encryption
CNS has begun upgrading the Gatorlink remote access Virtual Private
Network (VPN) infrastructure with new equipment. These new concentrators
will allow CNS to support AES encryption, in addition to the currently
supported Triple DES (3DES).
New WLAN Architecture Offers Benefits
CNS is currently working to implement a new switched wireless LAN
architecture. The
new WLAN architecture will be a centralized management solution based
around Cisco 6500 Wireless Service Modules (WiSM).
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Strong Windows, Safe Machines
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FEMA Window Reinforcement Project at Bryant Hall
In mid-August 2004, as Hurricane Charley approached central Florida,
a question arose concerning the ability of the windows in Bryant Hall,
where CNS is located, to withstand strong tropical storm winds.
The machines in Bryant Hall support several major UF operations, such as
Human Resources, Purchasing,
PeopleSoft, Student Records and UF Network infrastructure.
Damage to the building could result in down-time for CNS, which
could create significant operating issues for the University. The
solution was to replace windows with hurricane-resistant glass
meeting Miami-Dade standards (146 mph winds).
The Bryant Hall front windows directly face the CNS machine rooms.
CNS worked with UF Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities Planning,
and
Architecture and Engineering in UF Physical Plant Division in applying
for a Hazard Mitigation Grant Project. Funds were available through
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a result of the
widespread damage caused by Hurricane Francis. This is a grant process
requiring application through the Alachua County Local Mitigation Strategy
Committee. The Project was approved at the local level and sent to
the Florida Division of Emergency Management in Tallahassee, for
further review.
In January 2006, UF was awarded $175,729 in federal grant funding to
replace glass in 47 window bays, comprising 123 separate pieces of glass.
Each piece of glass is actually composed of three separate layers, with
a polymer between two outside pieces, creating an insulation barrier.
These three pieces are 1.25 inches
thick. With their frames, they weigh 260 lbs each.
With the installation of these windows, the entire first floor of
Bryant Hall will be protected from the elements.
The installation of the new glass and frames was
completed on November
6, 2007. We are now more ready than ever before to maintain service to the University, even through the major weather events to which Florida is so often subjected.
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/Update issues prior to November 2004 are available as
Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) via the "Back Issues:"
drop-down, above.
Selected articles may also be found in html and PDF format in DOCWEB.
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