The Network Services Group of Information Technology Services has upgraded wireless network service in The Ames Library to improve wireless coverage throughout the building including Beckman Auditorium.  An additional 11 wireless radios were installed over the holiday break taking the number of wireless access points from 8 to 19.

After much planning and preparation, the Network Services Group of ITS replaced the core component of or our campus network over the Thanksgiving Break.  The project not only involved the complex configuration of a new HP core router, but the re-cabling of each fiber optic run to campus buildings, and the re-cabling of each server in the data center.  Chris Rutledge, Kerri McKeown, Michael Zehr, Sean Hunter and student assistant Sunny Ding, did an outstanding job working to improve network services for the campus community.  The core router will support new technologies being brought to campus including VOIP and our 1GB Internet connection scheduled for July of 2013.

Work on the network core replacement. Pictured are Chris Rutledge, Kerri Mckeown, and student assistant Sunny Ding.

Dear Colleagues,

Many IWU organizations have unique e-mail accounts that we call “org accounts”. These accounts have traditionally been located on a server called “orgmail.iwu.edu” but are now being moved to Google, just as our individual mail accounts moved last year. This will help reduce cost, improve services and increase storage space.

In an effort to continue streamlining our email system, Information Technology Services (ITS) is  moving organizational (Org) accounts to Gmail on Wednesday, August 13.  No mail will be lost during this transition, but some old mail may resurface.

E-mail programs which currently point to organizational accounts will need to be updated to point to the Google servers. Users must first log into Gmail using the organization account at least once in order for desktop clients to work. The settings for accessing the Org accounts will now be identical to the settings for accessing personal accounts. Instructions for the changes needed to various common mail clients may be found at http://www.iwu.edu/its/mail/mail_clients.html.

Following the migration, you will be able to access your Org account via the Gmail web interface by logging in using the Org username/password rather than your personal one.

More information on the transition, as well as new features available to organizational users in the new system, can be found at http://www.iwu.edu/its/mail/org-mail.html

If you have any questions, or experience any difficulties after the transition, please feel free to contact ITS at 309-556-3900, or via email at helpatames@iwu.edu.

Thank You,
Trey Short and the ITS Staff

The current lease on campus copier equipment is coming to an end.  After much discussion, a decision was made to move the support for copiers located in departmental and public areas from Printing, Publications, and Mailing Services, to Information Technology Services.

Vendor support for copiers is moving from our current provider IKON, to CDS Office Technologies.  CDS will be delivering new Konica-Minolta multi-function copiers beginning 7/25/2012.  The new devices will be dropped off near current copier locations.    CDS will then work with ITS to install the copiers, update computers to print to the devices, and train individuals on the use the new copiers.  IKON will then come to campus to remove the old devices once the new copiers are installed and operational.

All billing, support, and service needs should be directed to the new Help@Ames Desk at 556-3900, or through the online support page once the new Konica-Minolta copiers are in place and in service.  Departments will continue to obtain paper for printing and copying through Printing, Publications, and Mailing Services.

In the coming months ITS, Printing, Publications and Mailing Services, and CDS will be working with the campus community to help reduce the environmental impact of printing and copying on campus.  We will also be working with the campus regarding copier codes, printing and copying cost saving strategies, and billing improvements.

This is an important project for ITS and the campus community.  we look forward to assisting the campus with printing and copying needs.

The ITS Help Desk has moved!!!  After wonderful collaboration and planning, the ITS Help Desk in now combined with the Library Info Commons Desk for a single source of technology and research needs for faculty, staff and students.  Lisa Caughron moved from the IT House to the Ames Library and is working with Sue Anderson on this collaborative effort.  Phone support, walk-in support, and carry in service of personally owned computer equipment are all available at the Help Desk on the 1st floor of the Ames Library.  Lisa joins ITS co-workers Patrick McLane and Rick Lindquist who are also work out of the Ames Library.

You still contact the Help Desk at 309-556-3900, or via the http://help.iwu.edu.  Carry in service of personally owned computers moved to the new service point.

Information Technology Services worked with our Internet provider over Spring Break to upgrade the Internet Bandwidth provided to and from campus.  The upgrade involved the the replacement of the router that supports the bandwidth, and a software upgrade to the Net Equalizer that helps to control incoming and outgoing Internet traffic.

The bandwidth was upgraded from two DS-3 connections totaling 90Mb, to a 155Mb OC-3 connection.

So far the maximum inbound traffic reached is 125Mb with the average throughput being measured at 57.7Mb.  The maximum outbound traffic reached is 32Mb with an average of 11Mb.  We hope everyone is enjoying a noticeable improvement in accessing online services from campus.

Network Electronic Upgrades

A group of faculty, staff, and student representatives are looking at ways to reduce the environmental impact of printing and copying on campus, as well as looking at ways to reduce University printing and copying costs. Several vendors will be walking through all areas on campus to assess printing needs and the types of printing equipment that are available on campus. The vendors will return to campus in April to share their assessment and offer solutions to our printing and copying needs.

Information Technology Services will be performing updates to the Banner Server on December 29th and 30th. Access to Banner will be unavailable on these days as the upgrades are performed.

An upgrade to the campus Internet Firewall will take place on Dec. 30th beginning at 9:00am. Access to the Internet from on campus, and access to IWU systems from off campus will be intermittent throughout the day. Those who use VPN access to campus systems from off campus will need to call #3900 when returning from break to re-establish this service.

We apologize for any inconvenience the service interruption may cause and thank you for your patience as we work to improve ITS resources that serve the campus community.

The ITS staff are holding an Open House for the members of the Alumni Technology Advisory Group who are returning to campus for Homecoming 2011 on Friday, October 21st, from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Tommy’s in the Hansen Student Center.

The ATAG is a group of Alumni who have interest in technology that provide expertise and guidance to Information Technology Services.