University Computing Standards Committee
January 15, 1997
Meeting Minutes
Committee members in attendance:
Steve Keto, Associate Vice Chancellor, Finance and Information Systems, co-chair
Bill Willis, Computing Center, co-chair
Sam Averitt, Computing Center
Bill Bayley, School of Design
Leo Buckmaster, Administrative Computing Services
Joe Flowers, College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Ken Hanck, Chemistry Department
Ann Harris, University Budget Office
Brian Kemerait, Network and Communication Services
Charles Kneifel, Information Technology
Carl Malstrom, Information Technology
Ron Melbourne, Administrative Computing Services
Tom Miller, College of Engineering
Mike O’Kane, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Angelia Smith, Administrative Computing Services
Dan Steen, College of Management
John Ulmschneider, University Libraries
Eric Wiebe, College of Education & Psychology
Absent:
Sandy Connolly, College of Textiles
Siamak Khorram, Computer Graphics Center/Forest Resources
Molly Munro, College of Education & Psychology
Andy Wasilewski, College of Veterinary Medicine
Overview:
November minutes were accepted. The WWW Subcommittee reported that the new home page is
now live. The Data & Data Access Standards Subcommittee had no report. The User
Authentication/ DCE Subcommittee reported that anyone now has the capability of using
Kerbros 4 and DCE for authentication and that there is a web page which announces this.
Brian Kemerait and Sam Averitt gave a special presentation to outline the infrastructure
of communications. The E-mail Subcommittee discussed goals, current setup, models,
options, and gave recommendations on e-mail strategies. Bill Willis forwarded a white
paper outlining the target delivery project to the members following the last meeting that
explores what the long-term focus should be. Bill reported a common consensus at the last
IRMC meeting was that the policy addressing the personal use of the internet was
appropriate but its dissemination and the repercussions of violation was a big concern.
Discussion Detail:
- November minutes were passed without change.
- Special Presentation - Telecommunications Infrastructure Advancement Project
Brian Kemerait reported on the 1992 original projections - the dollar figures and the
number of outlets increased which concurs with the quality of network. A search for
external fundraisers is underway which is expected to come up with the revenue for this
project. Brian will be meeting with the Residential Housing Advisory Board to troubleshoot
the increased rates to finance this debt and pay it off. The time line of the summer
Olympics is a priority that might hinder the progress of this project somewhat.
Sam Averitt reported that NCState.Net is a registered, legitimate domain name that
reflects the area business mission statement presented in building production networks.
The goal is to keep staff as small as possible and remain competitive. The two areas of
activity are: Production Network and Service - Mohammed Fatmi, Technical Development and
Academic Support Programs - Phil Emer
The fee structure and charges of Campus Network Services will reduce the backbone service
to a fee. The cost of internet connectivity is going up and the 73 links are peaking at
maximum capacity given our rate of growth.
LAN
Sam emphasized that the coordination of moves, adds and changes is seen as a viable
consolidation of service delivery to quality, and should improve and lower end costs. The
initial assessment is an overwhelming interest. Sam reiterated that structure to impede
progress is not desired. The 911 service is under consideration and is targeted for this
coming Fall. The biggest concern at this time is the liability issue involved with
telephone relocation. Sam Averitt reported that lockdown of closets should take place when
the inventory is done. Sam challenged the committee for their thoughts and input on
improvement of the system to assure its cost effectiveness and successful delivery of
service. Another option is that the rates that will be offered will be fully burdened with
overhead and personnel costs, etc. A production network slide was presented that
illustrated how we were moving between, introducing, switching and the model three desktop
switching in order to take advantage of all the new applications and multimedia. Forces
mandating change are intense use, mail services, opportunity of virtual proximity,
applications such as distance learning and redefining. An ATM test band network is being
looked at to support distance learning which is felt to be a big issue in the very near
future. Sam pointed out that ALeadership through Partnership@ has four entities Duke, NC
State University, UNC-CH and MCNC. Regional and national networking initiatives were also
outlined by Sam: peer central where private and public sector meet, will be a transit
point. It was agreed that the NC Giganet Initiative (NCGNI) would provide a major presence
in NC. It was also pointed out that we are a part of the Internet II - we are involved in
building the next generation Internet, the commercial providers are not going to build the
network to support distance learning in the time frame that we will need it, therefore,
over 90 universities have polled their monies to support this initiative. We must be
viewed as being network imperative and succeed.
- WWW Implementation: Angelia Smith reported new NC State home page online last week,
comments and suggestions are still petitioned.
- Data and Data Access: No report.
- User Authentication/DCE: Ron Melbourne informed the group that this has been put into
production, and gives anyone the capability to use Kerbros 4 and DCE for authentication.
It validates whether or not the individual is registered to the University. Registration
and Records is already using this system. The Capital Assets Management web is being
worked on and will also use the DCE capability. Ron stated that there is a web page
announcing that this is available and contains additional information. A single user
sign-on and password committee is writing a report and hoepfully will have it done by
month-end. A request was made to have this report circulated to the University Standards
Committee prior to their next meeting.
- Communications - covered in item two (2) above during the special presentations.
- Electronic Mail: John Klein will be meeting this week with this group and reports will
be available at the next University Standards Committee meeting. The presentation for
E-mail strategies was given by Charles Kneifel. The goals are to provide reliable E-mail
to the campus community, provide access from multiple locations (bandwidth independent)
and to provide access independent of operating system.
- Target delivery - Bill Willis forwarded a white paper regarding a delivery target
project to members following the last meeting that explores what should be focused on
long-term. Issues about broadly delivering is a huge problem that should be addressed. Our
level of coordination and identification with the overall picture should be better
coordinated so that we can present to upper management and create a describable effort
with this type of focus. The document is completely adjustable and is intended to be a
springboard to generate discussion. John Ulmschneider identified three themes, how we use
the web, how we use componentware and the use of JAVA. JAVA’s importance was felt to
be far more than we understand, a request was made to be educated more on JAVA from an
expert perspective or judgement on its maturity, etc. It was pointed out that JAVA applets
have been developed and will be demonstrated at the FIS expo. JAVA replacing C++ has even
been explored. A request was made to have a small group to come give their analyses and
their feelings on JAVA’s potential. Leo pointed out that our subscription to the
Gartner Group may lead way to have someone from there to consult with us on this issue via
personal visit or to have a phone conference or an analysis report. Richard Merwin and
someone from engineering was felt to be sufficient to give a special report/presentation -
Leo will work with Tom Miller to have a 30 minute presentation in place. Bill asked for
volunteers to work with him on establishing a strategic plan that represents our efforts -
Leo or Ron, John and Tom volunteered. Bill will coordinate this meeting of volunteers.
- IRMC-Bill reported that the last meeting was intense. Recent concerns centered around
personal use of the Internet - the policy was felt to be adequate and appropriate but its
dissemination and the repercussion for violation is an immense issue of concern.
Recommending funding to the legislature is an ongoing concern. Top priorities are year
2000 solutions, connectivity issues and education issues - resources for teachers (laptops
for teachers request). Emphasis is starting to be on connectivity, commonality and the
educational development of individuals.
- Leo gave a report on the Human Resources System-bids were received and a project team is
evaluating. The selection has been narrowed down to four vendors. The project team
developed a set of scenarios to demonstrate the functionality of their systems. The
vendors have been invited to come on campus and demonstrate their capability at the
McKimmon Center. They will be finished the first week in February.
The next meeting is March 19, 1997 in the D.H. Hill Library.
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