Report for ISC -
May 2004
An overall summary of projects is maintained in the “Latest project list” folder at:
https://internal.lboro.ac.uk/diss/cc/uniwide/Projects/
Project documentation is also available at this location.
This report briefly outlines current projects’ status, including a brief note on projects which have been completed recently. Projects are omitted for which change has been insignificant since the previous report.
Networking within buildings
Cabling work should be completed by the time of the ISC meeting. The most recent buildings to be recabled are Matthew Arnold, Martin Hall and Admin2. After the completion a précis of all the work will be prepared and a steering group completion meeting held.
Windows XP staff desktop service
The service has started to be rolled out, there are a number of trial users in Computing Services and 2 in sports development. The service will be going out to other departments for trialing and then it will be made fully available. Viglen and Dell images have been compiled and a laptop image will soon be finished (whilst trying to keep up with the ever changing range).
Staff filestore replacement
This is almost completed; some files are still to be moved. Bankline is still on the system (Natwest) and might still be used. Once all files are moved the Netware client will be removed from the Windows 2000 staff PC service.
Email hardware platform upgrade, List server upgrade and Email router upgrade
The email team is working on a prioritized list of upgrades. Replacements need to be carefully managed because of machine room power limitations. The systems are operating in a highly redundant configuration so that individual systems can be brought down to be worked on with no effect on the end users. The list server upgrade only concerns hardware (software is not being reviewed).
Active Directory Rollout project
The project is complete. The chair of the steering group is working on a final report.
Holywell Park
Largely complete, though waiting for estates team in Holywell Park to move from their current location. Additional work will be required to provide a resilient link to the Holywell voice and data network and to service newly –occupied areas.
Labs summer upgrade 2004
The core model is on-track for a June release. Consultations have been performed with the lecturers and the lab managers. The input from the software review is now complete and the hardware stream is being worked on.
Haslegrave security improvements
This is still in the design phase. It is unlikely that Estates will be able to schedule major works for completion before July 31. Work will include rationalizing access routes into the machine room and strengthening walls and doors. It is also planned to use card-based access systems for the Haslegrave main door and several internal doors. It is worth noting that an East Midlands university recently suffered major equipment loss through risks similar to those identified by this project.
Telephone Exchange Upgrade
The switches have been upgraded to software revision 8 and Siemens are working on an issue that has been uncovered. The voicemail system is being checked to ensure it can handle the growing workload. Maintenance contracts are being rationalized and retendered to achieve best value.
Distributed servers
The project aims to distribute servers from the Haslegrave machine room to Holywell Park in order to reduce risk. Holywell Park is not yet ready to receive servers.
This represents Computing Services’ responsibility within the overall James France redevelopment project. James France is to be a postgraduate location. The additional lab PCs will need to be added into costings for the ongoing replacement programme and this will be reflected in the forward plan in future Computing Services budget bids.
Computing Services
11 May 2004