UCS Toolkit - OIT Technology Meetings

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OIT Technology Meeting - September 2007

Announcements

Stan Kolasa and Ed Humphrey, CSS
Stan and Ed gave an update on a search for a replacement for RULink. The gathered a wide range of requirements for both general users and IT staff. They started with with a small committee of both OIT, Unix, Windows and non-OIT technical staff. After looking at several options, it was decided to run two pilots. The Zimbra pilot is already underway and an Exchange pilot will begin soon. The Zimbra pilot is running out of New Brunswick and the Exchange pilot will be based in Camden. A web page will be set up for people to request entry into the pilot. Pilot participants are expected to use the system as their primary email and calendaring system so they can provide feedback. The Zimbra pilot is expected to complete in late November.

Galen Work, OIT
Galen gave an update on the PC Purchase Cycle. The first run has been very successful, saving the University about $600,000. Hardware specs are being updated and will be posted to the site soon. A new multimedia Mac model is being added. Also looking to add workgroup class printers.

Scott Holodak, MSSG
RADS 4 to RADS 5 migration is beginning. RADS 5 is based on Trend OfficeScan 8, which added Vista support. Trend discontinued support for Windows 98, NT4 w/IE4, and Intel Itanium systems. RADS will continue to support those by utilizing OfficeScan 7.3 for those clients. The RADS infrastructure has been rebuilt with live-updating, load balancing of clients across the servers, and a more frequently updated installer. Migration of clients to new infrastructure will be done one department at a time, scheduling it in advance. UCS/M should provide network information for their areas so upgrades can be scheduled, mid-October is the target start date. There is also a number of new features still in the works which will provide UCS/M with additional capabilities (possible features - client status, scheduled scans, outbreak notification, firewall policies, and statistics).

The RADS 4 infrastructure will be decommissioned by moving the clients to RADS 5 in phases:

Clients download and install RADS 5.
UCS/M push out the RADS 5 installer. Tools will also be provided shortly so clients can just associate themselves to the RADS 5 infrastructure.
OIT will initiate a migration of those clients who can be reached (not behind firewalls or NAT).
DNS will be changed to point RADS 4 names to RADS 5 servers.

Marianne Coyle, IPS
IPS is promoting National Cybersecurity Month (October), putting posters and handouts around campus. If any would like some, contact IPS. Cisco will be coming to do a presentation on best practices for managing security and compliance. It will be held immediately following the October OIT Technical Meeting. There are Security awareness teams on each main campus, don't hesitate to contact them if you need anything. On October 23 at 6:00 pm, the FBI will be speaking to students about social networks, cyberstalking, etc.

Beth Binde, IPS
Update on encryption software project, still making a decision on which vendor, but pricing looks attractive. Please contact Beth if you're considering a purchase of encryption software. Also, CyberAngel software (tracks stolen laptops) is now available on the University Software Portal.

Mary Ann Chianelli, MSSG An agreement has been signed for Matlab and it will be available soon on the Software Portal.

Presentations

SSL Certificates and Email Signing and Encryption
Armen Varjabedian, MSSG
Armen discussed the various options for SSL certificates as well as some of the basics of email signing and encryption - see presentation.

Video Multicasting
Bob Gerdes, OIRT
Video multicasting provides simulcasting to the desktop. Multicasting is a way to send video streams to multiple hosts on a network. This is also used to broadcast meetings and chat functionality may be added in the future to allow interactivity. Multicasting may not work for some clients because of certain network setups and firewalls, so some firewalls may need to be adjusted. Instructions on testing your network will be emailed out as well as any announcement of upcoming broadcasts, such as the President's University Address, monthly meetings, and the Rutgers Channel 8 and Open Student TV networks. Multicast may also be offered to viewers outside the University.