Appendix A
Systems Infrastructure Support Update from 2014 Annual Report
Systems Infrastructure Support Group
This ‘behind-the-scenes’ group has been busy developing and testing new services for much of 2014. These efforts have been aided by the acquisition of two new team members and the addition of the Audiovisual Engineering team into the Systems Infrastructure Support Group.
New Cloud Storage Services
One of these new services is the Syncplicity Cloud Storage solution, with global deployment slated for early 2015. Syncplicity is an enterprise version of a dropbox-like solution for on-premise storage used to synchronize, access, and share files from anywhere on any device. The advantages to this solution are:
- Security – Storing confidential or sensitive information in our private cloud is often more secure than storing it locally on a desktop. With our online storage service, data is never in the hands of outside entities (like public cloud providers) and it is encrypted both during transmission and while at rest, ensuring no unauthorized users can access the files. Additionally, the University’s Active Directory is leveraged for role-based access and security.
- Accessibility – From tablets to smartphones and laptops to desktops, we’re using more deviceson a daily basisthan ever before — and moving files between each of these devices can be cumbersome and complex. Not so with our online storage services. You can access your account from any internet connection, whether you’re on a mobile browser or your work computer.
- Syncing – Syncing ensures your files are automatically updated acrossall ofyour devices. This way, the latest version of a file you saved on your desktop is available on your smartphone.
- Sharing – Whether you want to share a single photo or an entire folder with hundreds of documents, online storage services allow you to easily share files with just a few clicks.
- Collaboration – Online storage services are also ideal for collaboration purposes. They allow multiple people to edit and collaborate on a single file or document. You don’t have to worry about tracking the latest version or who has made what changes.
- Protection – Cloud storage serves as an added layer of data protection for your precious and irreplaceable files. Backups are kept in a secure location that is physically removed from the originals.
WSU Spokane customers will each receive 5GB of cloud storage at no charge. Additional space may be requested for a competitive cost-recovery charge.
Unified Communications
Another service that has been in the development and testing phase is Unified Communications (UC). UC is the integration of real-time, enterprise, communication services such as instant messaging (chat), presence information, voice, mobility features, audio, web and video conferencing, fixed-mobile convergence, desktop sharing, data sharing, and call control. WSU Spokane will be adding Microsoft Lync in full production to the list in early 2015 which will allow this to be possible. This will enable staff and faculty to engage in collaborative discussions, meetings, and presentations right from their own desktops (video conferencing requires a webcam, not included). They will also have the ability to invite guests outside of the University to participate in web conferencing.
Other projects completed by the Systems Infrastructure Support group included:
* Microsoft Endpoint Protection Migration This migration to a new enterprise anti-virus solution provides a global view and management of anti-virus clients running across the entire campus and allows ITS to catch computer viruses before they spread.
* Windows XP/Server 2003 EOL Migration This migration from the 120 XP machines on campus enabled us to be in compliance with Microsoft’s security updates and desktop/server security. Additionally, 30 servers in the data center required server upgrades from version 2003 to the latest version. All but three of those servers have been upgraded in 2014.
* Campus Share Migration This project was focused at moving our departmental shares off of legacy equipment and on to newer, faster, and more resilient systems. Users now experience a much faster file share browsing experience as well as improved file recovery support.
* Physical to Virtual Server Migration The Systems team is actively migrating existing systems and 99% of all new systems are deployed in the virtual environment. This provides streamlined operations and administration as well as reduced power/space consumption and increased datacenter efficiency in alignment with our goal of environmentally responsible use of technology.
* Digital Signage A full migration from an outdated and unsupportable signage solution to a full-featured enterprise solution. This allows the Office of Communications to properly display
important campus information in multiple formats across all buildings. WSU Spokane currently has 10 signs across campus which are centrally managed by the Office of Communications and supported by ITS. Projected for 2015: Interactive/touch screen capabilities and a kiosk in the Academic Center to display bus routes, campus directory, and events.
* RedCap ITS has championed the deployment of RedCap, giving researchers the ability to securely catalog and share their project resources and documentation. RedCap is a research collection database accessed via a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases. While it can be used to collect virtually any type of data, it is specifically geared to support data capture for research studies. The RedCap consortium is composed of 1,254 active institutional partners in 87 countries who utilize and support RedCap in various ways. This solution serves the Health Sciences mission as a whole.
* Eagle-i ITS sponsored this project to assist with cataloging physical resources required for specific types of research. The software allows researchers to collect and share information about research resources, giving any scientist, anywhere, access to one of the largest collections of information about Core Facilities, iPS cell lines, and other valuable, unique or rare scientific resources in the world. Our role is to manage the physical network of resources, heavily used by the College of Pharmacy, to facilitate translational science research. There are currently over 40 academic and not-for-profit research institutions represented in Eagle-I which is funded by Harvard Catalyst at Harvard Medical School. This solution also serves the Health Sciences mission as a whole.
* HPC and Storage for Genomics With the emergence of the genomics core, ITS has provided high speed compute and storage resources to enable this project. Using existing hardware with enhancements, the System Infrastructure group has created a highly efficient environment for campus researchers. This infrastructure will grow into a fully developed HPC cluster when grant funding has been captured.
* Anatomy Lab Virtualization This provides all three anatomy labs in the Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences building with a virtual work station at each table (15 stations per lab) that can be managed centrally.
* Automated Videoconferencing Scheduling Leveraging the upgraded VC infrastructure, ITS was able to collaborate with Student Affairs to automate academic resource scheduling. The changes made to this complex scheduling process resulted in a simplified, streamlined process that is highly accurate and efficient.
* RealPresence Desktop Video ITS has deployed, on a limited basis depending on use-case, managed desktop video
software from anywhere. This feature integrates with AMS videoconferencing. One of the uses of this feature would allow a guest lecturer to lecture off-site via his or her own personal computer. This is achieved by downloading and installing an application onto their computer that’s completed in just four easy steps.
* Access Control New access control systems have been installed on campus to support secure 24/7 access to buildings and interior spaces requiring physical security. This badge-based solution uses a card or fob for access and replaces the old Marlok key system. The new system allows for integration with the security environment and is better at tracking incidents.
* AIMS Parking Service This service provides account tracking and parking pass purchasing online. It has been migrated to be hosted by the vendor for increased efficiency and accessibility for the WSU Spokane campus users.