GC Technology: IT Goes Shopping: New PCs Coming
In an effort to uphold its designation as “Best Example of CUNY Respecting Its Students: The GC IT Turnaround,” (Advocate, February 2007) the Office of Information Technology purchased 300 new computers to be deployed this month. Roughly two-thirds of these machines are slated for student use, and will replace the public computers on the C-level of the library, computers in all four computer classrooms, and the computers in the building’s 26 “smart” classrooms. “We would like to acknowledge the very strong support from President [William] Kelly in obtaining the funds needed for this purchase,” said Assistant Vice President for Information Technology Robert Campbell. The new PCs will allow IT to phase out some of the building’s oldest computers. “Some older PCs — the ones that can be salvaged — will be redeployed,” said Campbell, who noted that one of the primary targets for upgrading are the catalogue computers in the library.
There is more, however. Three hundred new 19-inch flat screen monitors to replace the screens in the computer classrooms and 20 new iMacs with 20-inch screens were purchased with the same funds allocated by President Kelly to IT. The iMacs will replace the older Macs that are presently in the library. “The Mac purchase is significant,” said Campbell, “because it begins to lay a foundation for a more robust Mac support system at the Grad Center.”
In addition to these purchases, IT ordered 50 new desktop black and white printers, 60 color printers, and 80 fax machines, most of which are to be deployed in the building’s academic programs and departments. Campbell acknowledged that students should have fax-sending capabilities and said that he will “make provisions for students to send faxes on a limited basis,” from two fax machines that will be located near the elevators on the library’s C-level concourse.
Hardware was not the only thing in the IT’s shopping basket, so, too was the beginnings of a revamped data center. Around $100,000 was spent to order Storage Area Network (SAN) technology, including switches and a server. SAN technology supports and provides enhanced storage capacity on a given network. This move was a reaction to complaints about limited network storage abilities. “Certainly by the fall, everyone in the building will be beneficiaries of this purchase,” said Campbell, who cautiously noted the possibility that the storage capabilities of the GC network will be expanded in advance of the Fall 2007 target date. The important aspect of this purchase was that it will be the foundation for any expansion required going forward. “SAN technology can be grown incrementally,” Campbell said. “Once we introduce it and get it in place with a server, we can increase it as needed in the future.”
While the SAN purchase targets one of the major problems of the Graduate Center’s network, it still does not provide a solution to the other main difficulty which is the system’s snail-like speed. When asked about the cause of the slow network, Campbell blamed poor design, the way that the network is set up, and excessive traffic. “We are working on rooting out the problems and causes of the network congestion,” Campbell said, “but fixing a pin prick is very different from conducting open heart surgery.”
Wireless Internet Access: Finally, There is Movement
Although the Advocate reported upon a plan to take the Graduate Center wireless back in September, there have been hiccups along the initial path. As of press time, IT has adopted a final design strategy that is intended to streamline the time needed to begin deployment of wireless internet access.
The old plan revolved around the construction of a new cable system, which would send signals from wireless transmitters hung from the ceilings. Between cabling and labor costs, the estimated cost for wiring each wireless transmitter was around $1,000, excluding the cost of the transmitter itself. The new plan conforms to a theory of “cable where you have to but no more than that,” said Campbell. Rather than build a new cable system, IT will use the existing cable system that presently provides a connection to the GC’s network through wall sockets. This means that costs for wiring each wireless transmitter will be cut in half, allowing for the installation of more transmitters.
Campbell recognized that there may be some aesthetic considerations and said that IT is presently trying to come up with some solutions. He also stated that some rooms, such as the theater and the library, are not conducive to the new plan and would retain the older wiring-through-the-ceiling arrangement first introduced in September.
The bottom line? Campbell projects that IT will begin to deploy wireless equipment by the end of the fiscal year (June 30th).
Software Note: No More SASS!
The licensing for the Standard Analysis Software System (SASS) is changing. In the past students and faculty have enjoyed free copies of SASS for their home computers. Campbell said that he did not anticipate the new changes will allow for licenses for home PCs, but that SASS will still be available on the PCs in the Graduate Center and on Citrix.
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