Campus Technology Services

TechNews - October 2011

This is a summary of the activities supporting faculty, staff and student technology services at SUNY Oswego that occurred during September 2011.

Reminders

1. Routine Service Outage
   As part of Campus Technology Services' efforts to keep servers running at optimum levels, a regular maintenance period has been designated. From 6AM to 10AM on the second Sunday of each month, several services such as E-mail, editing of both departmental and personal web pageswill not be available. The next scheduled outage is Sunday, October 9th, 2011.
2. NYALERT
   For information on NYAlert: http://www.oswego.edu/administration/public_affairs/emergency/nyalert.html or 
   visit http://www.suny.edu/SUNYALERTsec to sign up.
3. RAVE Guardian
   For information on Rave Guardian http://oswego.edu/student/blogs/?cat=11 or to sign up: https://www.getrave.com/login/oswego
4. CTS Newsletter
   The CTS Newsletter for the beginning of the semester is available at http://www.oswego.edu/blogs/ctsnewsletter/.   You'll notice a new look to our newsletter, as it is now in a blog format.  As you read each article, feel free to add a comment about it at the bottom of the article.   
   Articles available in this newsletter include new features available in LakerApps, updates to ANGEL and myOswego, the campus MS Office 2010/2011 upgrade, new Advanced Technology Classrooms, network and cable infrastructure upgrades, Fall semester pilot projects and more.  
5. CTS Workshops
   The Fall lineup of CTS workshops is now available for registration from the link below.  We have a variety of workshops covering LakerApps, Microsoft Office, multimedia creation and editing, using an Advanced Technology Classroom (ATC), online community groups and mailing lists.  We also have previews of the Microsoft Windows 7 and Apple's new Lion operating systems as well as the Elluminate web-conferencing software, currently in a pilot phase.  Lastly, come join CTS for lunch during our "CTS Projects Lunch Break" workshops as we discuss current and future technology projects.
   
   The complete schedule of workshops along with their full descriptions is available from http://www.oswego.edu/cts/training/ws_registration.html.

Patch Wednesdays

CTS now has the capability of updating your campus owned computers for security fixes as well as functionality on a regularly scheduled basis. This may include software updates to programs such as Adobe Reader or Microsoft Word or to change Windows settings to better support your computers. In order to streamline this process we will only perform these updates on Wednesdays.  These changes will be implemented only after thorough internal CTS testing. You may possibly notice a slight slowdown in computer performance at that time however it will go away shortly. Updates will be added to a CTS calendar so you may see what changes have occurred to your computer on any given day. The calendar is still being revised at this time but will be up and running shortly.

Technology Support Center

 You can reach us by phone at 312.3456 or at 26 Lanigan Hall or our website.

 Are you on Facebook? Want to receive updates from CTS on new services, updates, system outages, and more? We recently created a "SUNY Oswego - Campus Technology Services" Facebook group. Become a fan and start receiving updates!

Learning Management System

An ANGEL patch was recently installed that makes it now compatible with Firefox 7.

A Blackboard regional meeting was held in which updates on ANGEL and Blackboard integration were reviewed.  From the information learned at this meeting, SUNY Oswego will be upgrading to ANGEL version 8.0 in 2012 and will not look at migrating to Blackboard until more ANGEL features have been incorporated into the product.  This migration will most likely not be until at least 2013. 

The Elluminate software used for synchronous online teaching and meetings is being piloted on campus this fall semester.  Approximately ten faculty and staff will be using it to teach courses, conduct workshops and hold online meetings.  Workshops have been offered for these users and we look forward to their feedback on their usage of it.  Elluminate is currently being hosted by SUNY ITEC with additional user support of the product through SLN.

Please check the ANGEL website for dates and times for upcoming workshops.

If you are interested in setting up a community group, please visit the ANGEL web site at www.oswego.edu/academics/angel. Community groups are limited to academic and/or university related activities only.

Professional Development
The Fall lineup of CTS workshops is now available for registration from the link below.  We have a variety of workshops covering LakerApps, Microsoft Office, multimedia creation and editing, using an Advanced Technology Classroom (ATC), online community groups and mailing lists.  We also have previews of the Microsoft Windows 7 and Apple's new Lion operating systems as well as the Elluminate web-conferencing software, currently in a pilot phase.  Lastly, come join CTS for lunch during our "CTS Projects Lunch Break" workshops as we discuss current and future technology projects.

The complete schedule of workshops along with their full descriptions is available from http://www.oswego.edu/cts/training/ws_registration.html.

Self-paced, on-demand tutorials are also available from our iTunes U site.  Tutorials covering Microsoft Word 2010, Excel 2010, PowerPoint 2010 and LakerApps Sites are currently available.  ANGEL workshops are available from the main ANGEL website.

Updating your department web site with Ingeniux workshops are available at the Ingeniux Training site.

The Skillport e-learning software is available to all faculty, staff and students.  Skillport includes business and technology-related courses (including Office 2010) as well as courses and test preps needed to prepare you for many business and technical certifications.   Get started at the Skillport home page.

Software News

We are advising people to refrain from upgrading to Windows 7 as, currently, not all campus applications are compatible with it.

SUNY Oswego faculty and staff may purchase a copy of either MS Office Professional Plus 2010 (PC version) or Office 2011 (Mac version) for use on their personal computers for $9.95 plus tax.  This "Home Use Program" is made available to faculty and staff through the campus purchase of the Microsoft Campus Agreement.  Details of how to go about purchasing can be found from the CTS MS Office Home Use Program (HUP) page.

Microsoft is offering students a significantly reduced price on its Microsoft Office Ultimate 2010 software. The "Office Ultimate Steal" entitles eligible students to the Microsoft Office Ultimate 2010 software at a price of only $79.95. Microsoft's store price for the same software is $679.95! The Ultimate edition is packaged with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Groove, Publisher, Access, InfoPath, and Accounting Express. To determine if students qualify for the special price and to buy online visit www.theultimatesteal.com.

UBMicro has a great new site for purchasing various software products for your home machine. Visit their site at http://www.ubmicrosuny.com/

Web Update
We are working on testing our many applications with the newly released Windows Internet Explorer 9 and Mozilla Firefox 4, Campus Technology Services (CTS) would like to inform everyone that these browsers are not yet fully compatible with some of the campus services that you need to access.

The use of an unsupported browser can result in inconsistent or unpredictable behavior when working in applications. You should refrain from updating at this time.

As soon as vendors update these applications for compatibility with these services, we will post notices.

Ingeniux trainings continue to be held.  Please check the Ingeniux training site for dates and times and online registration.

Desktop Support

Campus Technology Services technicians have continued to aid faculty, staff and students in resolving hardware, software, and account related issues. Since the beginning of September Campus Technology Services technicians have assisted in the resolution of 96 hardware, 176 software, and 34 account related support requests.

Equipment Deployments

Our desktop support technicians continue to prepare and deploy new equipment as it arrives. New equipment has been configured and installed within: Campus Life Department, Facilities Design and Construction, Residence Life and Housing, Service Learning in Compass Utilities Department, and The Village Custodial office. Over the month of September Campus Technology Services technicians have installed, replaced, or re-imaged 61 machines.

TUTORTRAC

Campus Technology Services has continued working closely with the Office of Learning Services to test the pilot implementation of their new tutoring management system (TutorTrac). At this point in the project the following functions are utilizing the TutorTrac program for most management, scheduling and tracking functions: Mathamatics and Natural Sciences Tutoring Center, Writing Tutoring Center, Educational Opportunity Program, and the OLS Computer Lab. 

Banner/myOswego

• Completed the CTS segment of the CashNet /Banner eCommerce integration
• Assisted Institutional Research with SIRIS DADS (Degrees Awarded Data Submission 
• Completed the development of the Admissions Application Status link for myOswego, which may replace the request for information cards being sent by Admissions; adapted the SUNY Application load process to use the SICAS ASC Application load process; began development of a program to review Common App application data and prepare it to be loaded using the SICAS ASC Application load 
• Continued Intelliworks Graduate Student/Banner student integration project
• Completed mods to the Millennium process to work for summer residents, early arrivals and RAs
• Began the development of a process for Extended Learning to load high school language data directly into Banner from a spreadsheet
• Assisted in the development and deployment of myOswego student surveys (Confirmation of Enrollment, Emergency Contact, Missing Ethnicity/Race and NY Alert)
• Beta tested Fusion Middleware amongst staff and functional users

 Other Administrative Support

• Assisted Registrar's with planning for new business processes; continued working on the requested ARGOS reporting solutions; assisted in rolling out the Credential Solutions Transcript Order interface
• Assisted Student Accounts and Financial Aid with the new TAP files and SUNY Tuition Credit award
• Began Conduct Coordinator migration meetings with Judicial Affairs and Res Life & Housing; tentative go live date is late December, 2011
• Adapted HR data load to include recent changes
• Completed modifications to approximately 30 local reporting/processing applications
• Configure consolidated backup for VMware VMs and test.
• Updated Parking web site certificate
• Assisted vendor installing Pharos Blueprint.
• Updated Lakerpedia web site certificate
• Installed more memory in vm-srv-esxi-03
•  Replaced defective memory in oradb-prod-03
•  Reinstalled LPR 900 (License Plate Reader) and GPS applications for UP car 9.
•  Setup 2 more web listeners VMs for tickets.oswego.edu box office sales.
•  Setup 2 server VMs for EZNews service
•  Setup 1 web listener server VM for Campus Center box office scanners
•  Setup 1 VM server for hosting Theatre Manager application
•  Moved RHEAT VM from MM-WEB to ESXi host.
•  TMA training using iServiceDesk and assets

• Upgrade the  production database to use the Fusion Middleware (FMW) middle tier for INB Banner 
• Beta test the functional user job submission interface

•  General Faculty Meeting
• IAGT presentation on global warming by Dan Grossman
• Middle States campus forums 
• College Council
• ALANA Keynote speaker
• September 11th remembrance
• Faculty Assembly
• Hart Hall All-Student meeting
• Videoconference from the president's office and NYNetwork
• Governor's Regional Economic Development Council at the Metro Center

•  Installed new projector in Campus Center auditorium 132
• Installed initial A/V equipment in Culkin 211
• Science building and Park Hall planning
• Evaluation and upgrade of campus A/V system including new presentation technology

•  Provided ATC presentation training: Philosophy, Curriculum & Instruction
• Supported WNYO transmitter and automation system 
• Installed new projectors in CCIT labs and classrooms
• Provided student training and orientations sessions BRC235 and MKT467
• Performed preventive maintenance and equipment repair for Comm Studies 
• Provided SMARTboard training: Curriculum & Instruction

•  Upgraded firmware on all Advanced Technology Classroom control systems
• Installed additional module in Campus Center Pelepresence unit
• Provided Panopto lecture capture support

•  Culkin Hall wiring closet relocation
• 211 Culkin Conference room wiring and wireless
• Sheldon Hall box office wiring
• WRVO additional network wiring

•  34 Adds
• 0 Swaps 
• 0 Changes
• 12 Disconnects
• 2 Moves
• Generate Monthly Bills.
• Updating VOIP phones in Pinnacle

• Sent an HEOA DMCA copyright compliance notification to all ResNet users
• Modified Oswego-Setup XpressConnect configuration for OSX Lion support and our new license file
• Modified wired XpressConnect configuration for new license file
• Opened support case with CloudPath to open a feature request to support non-java Lion clients in their next XpressConnect release
• Call on Labor day that phone service was out. Everything on the data/voice network side was fine but legacy Nortel had problems
• Participated in Desktop Support Technician committee review and Network Technician interviews
• Increased burstable bandwidth in gaming classification to fix some reported gaming issues from students
• Johnson third floor was down. Troubleshot and spent a better half of a day resolving.  Replaced UPS unit and a new battery
• Checked the status of Riggs 2nd floor closet. Sprinklers went off but did not affect equipment except UPS
• Upgraded bootloader and firmware on the PacketShaper for additional gaming classifications and additional plug-in support
• Created a custom World of Warcraft classification
• Opened support case with BlueCoat for Steam issues
• Re-did wireless access point layouts for Oneida, Seneca and Onondaga and added additional access points to the design
• Followed up with Judicial Affairs on some outstanding DMCA cases
• Physically installed guest access server in Culkin
• Looked at log files to locate where a specific computer was connected to the network for a potential security breach
• Met with Scales Hall Director - troubleshot his connections for sometime - ended up being a NIC issue with his MAC
• Park attic network equipment down, 30amp circuit to UPS non-functional, temporarily moved equipment to smaller 20amp circuit until 30amp circuit was fixed
• Created some custom charts in Intermapper for device monitoring
• Tested new access points with some legacy powered switches to verify connectivity before closet upgrades occur
• Started Penfield wireless access point replacements to replace legacy equipment that is no longer supported
• Modified subnet sizes for Lonis/Mackin/Moreland and Seneca due to running out of available IP addresses for clients
• Created FW rules to allow RES access to Elluminate servers via SUNYNet
• Created FW rule for access to Windows licensing server
• Created FW rule for Active Directory password creation from Account Tools
• Fixed issue with Res analog ATA's and not forwarding to VM if the device is not online
• Updated firmware on Culkin analog gateway and added to Call Manager
• Modified WRVO firewall to allow for more static addresses, had an issue 1 week later that required rebooting of the firewall to restore services
• Metro center wireless conversion and upgrade to support standardized way of configuring services across all of wireless systems and add iDevice support
• Setup VPN box for Auxiliary Services for Fajita Grill plus plan card access
• Fixed disk space issue on net-priv-01 with log files for Oswego-Setup web services
• Enabled secure Multicast routing capabilities across Academic wired network and throughout the entire voice network. 

• XBOX/PS3/Wii/other registrations:  127
• DMCA take down notifications:  6
• Abuse Notifications:  5

• ITIL Foundations Certification - Tim Yager
•  Echo 360 Northeast Users Group meeting - McQuin
•  SMART Technologies SMARTPodium demonstration - staff
• SUNY Technology Conference 2012 planning committee -- McQuin
• September 12-14, 2011, SICAS Summit, Syracuse, NY
  Banner users from NYS gather to present on local reporting solutions; updates from SUNY Admin, SQHE and vendor presentations.
  Sue Fisk, Mary Gosek, Lori Reed, Andy Michaelis

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