===================================================================== Stony Brook University Computer Science SYSTEMS STAFF MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Jan 2009 In this issue we have 8 general announcements, 4 ongoing-work items, 2 future work items, and 5 reminders. *** MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. The new CS web site is being developed in full swing. Please visit to test it. For any queries contact the Webmaster @ x2-1637 or email webadmin AT cs DOT sunysb DOT edu. 2. The Email alias for "faculty" has been phased out as of Jan 1st 2009 in favor of the new alias "corefaculty". The alias "allfaculty" reaches all of the current faculty, our emeritus faculty, as well as the affiliated faculty. The alias "all" reaches all department users. Information about other aliases can be found in /var/adm/sysinfo/aliases/README on the compserv's. 3. All Graduate windows lab workstations have been upgraded to Vista Business Edition. The software installed on these workstations is listed at . If you need any additional software installed for your coursework, please send an email to WREQ. 4. If this is the first time you are using the Graduate Windows Lab, the login instructions have been posted on the walls in the Graduate Lab. Tips on creating good passwords have also been posted on the walls as well as . If you have any questions, please send email to WREQ. 5. We have added a second printer, "HP LaserJet 4", to the Graduate Windows Lab in Room 1239. This printer is accessible as "Publaser2" on the Vista workstations. We have also installed a scanner on Workstation #5 in the Graduate Windows Lab. This was the result of the feedback we received from you. We encourage you to continue sending us your constructive feedback using the following link . 6. The compservs have been upgraded from Solaris 2.6 to Solaris 10 and newer hardware. 7. The CEWIT Infrastructure and Exchange servers have been moved to the CEWIT building. In coordination with Campus DoIT, Internet, VoIP, and email services are currently operational at CEWIT. Individual user accounts will be issued soon. 8. With the funds obtained through SCAP (Undergraduate) and TLT (Graduate), we have implemented Server virtualization using VMware ESX in the Graduate Windows Lab. *** ONGOING WORK 1. Work continues on the backup server being setup to address backup needs including research labs, Secretaries, faculty and staff. 2. The network is being upgraded to use a Cisco 6509 as the core switch. 3. The Email system is being upgraded with newer hardware. 4. Through virtualization and integration, we will be expanded to provide services for the Undergraduate Labs in the department. We will be able to better utilize our current resources, decrease power consumption, increase server utilization and increase fault tolerance. We will be able to increase student disk quotas, support roaming profiles (personal user information moves with the user) and provide current generation software to students and faculty. *** FUTURE PLANS 1. The Wireless network will migrate from WEP key to WPA and eventually authentication based upon user login id/password. 2. We continue to investigate options for the use of LDAP servers in our department for Unified LDAP-based logins. This would help to consolidate the many user-ID domains we have into one; currently there are different user-ID domains being managed on the Unix systems, undergrad and grad teaching labs, database servers, and more. With LDAP, we hope to be able to manage all user IDs more efficiently and centrally. *** REMINDERS 1. Web site Announcement of activities and events (e.g., DLS, invited guest speakers, dissertations, ongoing research presentations, etc.) should go to "allfaculty" or even to "all", which includes everyone in the department (allfaculty, sec, staff, grads, postdocs, visitors). Please also note that the webadmin will list activities and events prominently on the main page of our website, so you are encouraged to send such information also to the webadmin. 2. Security There have been a number of security vulnerabilities reported in various Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, Mac). Please make sure you update your system regularly with patches provided by the manufacturer or your software vendor, run a firewall software and the latest anti-malware software where applicable. If you have any questions, please send email to WREQ. 3. WREQ Problem Reporting Tool Work requests and problem reports should be submitted to WREQ and not to ntadmin/root or individual staff members. This helps us track the progress of work requests better. We suggest using the Web interface to submit wreq requests at the URL: . You can also email wreq AT cs DOT sunysb DOT edu but the Web interface is preferred. If you send email, please send plain text (without MIME attachments) and send from your CS department account. 4. SECWREQ Problem Reporting Tool You are encouraged to use SECWREQ for requests such as requisitions, course room changes, office supplies, grade changes, room reservations, payroll issues, tuition issues, reimbursements and building management issues (heat/cooling/ lights/leaking roof). The SECWREQ tool is located at: . You can send mail to secwreq AT cs DOT sunysb DOT edu; please do not send MIME mail or attachments there. Send email from your CS department account. 5. Staff hot-line x2-2772 (CSSB). It will ring all staff office phones and has voicemail. Business hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Fri except State and Federal holidays.