Major IT outage being planned for campus
by G. Robertson and J. Bell, Computing and Network Services, and R. Gould, iTAC
published Nov. 1, 2005
Many central IT systems at K-State will be unavailable later this month during a planned installation of a
backup generator for the K-State IT Data Center located in Hale Library.
A firm date is not yet known, but will be scheduled as soon as all the equipment arrives.
This will require
an unprecedented total power outage of the data center and complete shutdown of all equipment housed
there, including the SAN, servers for all central computing services, and peripheral equipment.
This outage may be disruptive to K-Staters' work, but it is
necessary to improve the reliability of the data center.
The new generator will provide continuous electrical backup in the case of an extended
power outage on campus.
The generator is an important piece that will support the university's growing computing infrastructure.
What will this affect?
- Central IT systems unavailable during this outage will include
KATS, K-State Online, HRIS (and K-State
Employee Self Service), www.k-state.edu, WebMail, the university computing labs, the K-State InfoCommons,
and any systems connected to the data center or running on the enterprise server (a.k.a. the mainframe)
-- such as KSUVM and IDMS. These systems will be taken down and
brought up in a systematic manner. Critical systems will be taken down last and brought up first.
- Central e-mail will be down, but no incoming e-mail will be lost. It will be stored and delivered
to users' mailboxes once the data center is back in operation.
- Phone service on campus will not be affected.
- Departmental websites and other services
not housed in the data center will continue to be accessible during this outage.
When will K-Staters know the exact date of the outage?
Communication efforts began several months ago.
The outage will be scheduled as soon as all the new equipment has arrived. The campus
will be informed via e-mail, the Kansas State Collegian, the K-State homepage,
meetings, and other news sources. A meeting is scheduled 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the K-State Student Union, Room 212 for all campus constituents.
How will non-K-Staters know about the outage?
A server will be available off-site to redirect web traffic. When the public visits affected websites,
they will be redirected to a site that provides information about the outage and its timeline.
The IT Help Desk will have extended hours during the outage to facilitate communications.
Questions or concerns regarding this outage or other services that may be affected should be directed to the
help desk, 532-7722, helpdesk@ksu.edu.
Calendar upgrade rescheduled to Nov. 7-8
by J. Bell, Computing and Network Services
published Nov. 1, 2005
The K-State Calendar upgrade scheduled for Oct. 25 was canceled when
a memory configuration error was discovered after users started accessing the system.
After working with the vendor, that problem appeared to be resolved.
This week, further load testing on the system is scheduled. If successful, the upgrade
will be rescheduled 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, with the new calendar in production
at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8. An e-mail will be sent to calendar users later this
week about the status of the upgrade.
Applications to use the new calendar will be processed after testing is completed and
the new system is in full production.
E-mail "best practices" for K-Staters
by B. Edwards, Computing and Network Services
published Nov. 1, 2005
Many K-Staters may not be aware that the university provides an
E-mail Best Practices page
for optimum e-mail use. It includes
- Tips for organizing and handling e-mail
- Links to e-mail documentation
- E-mail security practices and resources
IDT Roundtable Nov. 2: The Digital Teaching Showcase
by B. Ward, Office of Mediated Education
published Nov. 1, 2005
Here's your chance to see what some of K-State's most experienced instructors and other multimedia experts
have been doing with online classes. See first-hand examples of their work and learn about the technologies
they use to build and facilitate online learning.
Drop-in, browse, and enter to win prizes during this last
session of the Fall 2005 Instructional Design & Technology Roundtable series, "The Digital Teaching Showcase",
a three-hour experience 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Hemisphere Room of Hale Library.
There's no need to sign up for this session. Bring a colleague and come for the fun of learning what's
being done in digital teaching at K-State.
TechBytes Nov. 4: Feature-packed Firefox Web Browser
by C. Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Nov. 1, 2005
Firefox is one of the latest and greatest web browsers. Come learn how Firefox can provide a lightweight,
safe Internet-browsing experience. Also learn how its extensions can provide you with only the features
you want and need, and none of the ones you don't.
TechBytes seminars are 1:15 p.m. Fridays in 501 Hale Library and are
open to the K-State community. To learn more about the series or the
sessions, visit the TechBytes website.
IT award nominations now being accepted
by the IT Awards and Recognition Committee
published Nov. 1, 2005
The 2006 IT Awards and Recognition nomination process is now OPEN! All K-Staters can submit nominations
through Dec. 1. Take a minute to nominate a colleague or IT team for their outstanding contributions
to the university.
To access the nomination form, go to the IT Awards and Recognition website
and click on the word "Nominations" at the top of the page. A nomination can represent an activity, service,
or contribution considered "above and beyond the call of duty". Staff who are eligible for most nominations
are employees in the central IT units of
CNS,
DCE,
DIA,
ECC,
ISO,
iTAC,
KSRE,
OME, and
Telecommunications.
Who can nominate? Any university staff, including IT employees, faculty, and students.
Award winners will be announced and recognized at the All IT Unit Retreat in early January 2006.
Questions should be sent to ITAWARDS-L@ksu.edu.
IT by the numbers: Mainframe
by R. Gould, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Nov. 1, 2005
The last time K-State's mainframe was shut down
was Dec. 27, 2004, and it was unavailable for 2.5 hours.
| Q/A: IT questions from K-Staters |
by B. Edwards, Computing and Network Services
published Nov. 1, 2005
What's the tiny graphic at top right on K-State's homepage?
That's an "event graphic". It's meant to attract attention about an upcoming K-State event and provide
a clickable link to more information.
Campus units can submit requests to display an event graphic for up to two weeks.
When multiple graphics are scheduled for the same timeframe, the graphics alternate each time the homepage is loaded.
See the Home Page Event Graphic page for details.
Have a question or comment?
TellTuesday@ksu.edu.
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| Web watch |
Kansas maps
by B. Edwards, Computing and Network Services
published Nov. 1, 2005
A variety of official Kansas maps are available online for public use. Check out these resources:
Maps range from typical city/county and geologic maps to biking trails; railroads; highways;
legislative maps; historical maps and trails; and related resources -- like KDOT's page to get
mileage between Kansas towns.
Find a good site? TellTuesday@ksu.edu.
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