This week has seen a focus of moving a number of our current servers to a new environment.  This new environment is all virtual.  While all of the servers that have moved have been able to retain their name, IP address, and everything else, this has allowed us to power down the old server.  Less servers = less heat & power = CSP IT going green?  Well, maybe not that far, but it is a start.

The virtual servers also give us the ability to: have better redundancy; get all of our servers on the same maintenance/warranty contract; improved performance; and increased storage capacity.

What does the virtual environment mean for the end user?  Not much.  All the files look the same.  The servers look the same.  All the applications function the same way.  It does mean that IT will be able to better serve the needs of the entire community.

In our never ending quest to offer additional, better, faster, and customized “automated” support, Thomas added a Wiki feedback form. I have never been so affirmed by an auto-response as I was from the fictional one I received, but that got me thinking. How can we incorporate something like this into our automated support? I think that sometimes taking a less formal approach to electronic feedback helps to reconnect people in a more personal and less “scary” way to the technology resources.

Hdwiki design

Originally uploaded by dydimustk.

Finals stages.

Here’s what my world looks like right now. Click on the three regions to get more info.

This is your daily traffic report from the Barracuda Spam Firewall for 03/15/07.

HourÂ		Blocked: Rate ControlÂ		Blocked: Bad RecipientÂ		Blocked: SpamÂ		Blocked: VirusÂ		QuarantinedÂ		Allowed: TaggedÂ		AllowedÂ		Total Received
00		0		6		142		1		2		0		28		179
01		0		59		1410		10		42		0		213		1734
02		0		79		1278		4		71		0		162		1594
03		0		78		1239		8		52		0		98		1475
04		0		96		2306		7		162		0		146		2717
05		0		107		1868		8		152		0		154		2289
06		0		93		1672		16		56		0		198		2035
07		0		86		1579		10		61		0		305		2041
08		0		77		1922		6		61		0		391		2457
09		0		73		1735		14		121		0		620		2563
10		0		115		2075		7		90		0		636		2923
11		0		126		1591		3		92		0		643		2455
12		0		111		2449		2		106		0		529		3197
13		0		178		2080		11		85		0		726		3062
14		0		92		2285		10		103		0		740		3230
15		0		92		2242		13		84		0		598		3029
16		0		221		1968		17		75		0		611		2821
17		0		99		1879		17		56		0		421		2472
18		0		315		1565		26		49		0		401		2240
19		0		106		1436		11		55		0		370		1978
20		0		78		1441		15		29		0		248		1811
21		25		77		1541		16		37		0		270		1966
22		0		88		1377		21		17		0		272		1775
23		6		124		1456		27		42		0		345		1980
TotalÂ		31		2576		40536		280		1700		0		9125		54023

When I arrived to work today I discovered a new cart of discarded items from the ghost of I.T. past. I spent a good chunk of the morning determining which items are salvageable, recyclable, and just plain trash. We did find one of the University’s brand new VoIP Phones in the first box of junk, which was really quite scary that one of those may have accidentally been disposed. We also found some functional mice, keyboards, and keyboard trays. It was good fun to see items from I.T. past and also a bit frustrating to increase our pile of recyclables.

In my spare time I’ve been looking over various Network Policies from other universities and corporations. The first thing I noticed was that it was a little difficult to find the CSP policy (here). Second, our is a pretty poorly written policy. We have some very basic ideas, but there isn’t any information about: newer technologies that people are using; how do we protect children (i.e. predators or pornography); or even the DMCA (here). So I’ve been collecting ideas from everyone else who has written a policy and trying to put them into my own words. If anyone has thoughts or ideas that they would like to see added just let me know.