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Systems
and Networks
Index
Systems
and Networks: Introduction
As
implied by its name, Systems and Networks has two general areas of
responsibility -- central systems and campus networking.
"Systems" includes systems management, systems
programming, operating systems and hardware maintenance for the
central servers. "Networking" involves implementation, maintenance,
support and enhancement of the campus network. This includes the
physical network infrastructure, network electronics, network
management tools, bandwidth management, security and firewall
management. A combination fiber optic and CAT5e UTP backbone
provides switched Ethernet connectivity to all campus offices,
classrooms, and residence hall rooms in addition to a high speed
link to the external Internet.
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Systems
Programming/Management
Systems
and Networks performs systems programming/management for several
different central server platforms. These core servers
support campus services such as: domain name service, user
authentication, email service, administrative, and student services.Systems
and Networks installs new systems software releases and recommended
patches on the central
systems, implements security procedures for system files and
application programs, monitors and enhances system performance, and
installs and maintains a number of third-party systems software
packages, including several networking software packages.
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Network
Implementation and Support
Systems
and Networks manages the campus network, a fiber optic backbone that
connects all campus buildings and provides high-speed connectivity
to all spaces on campus where people live, learn, and work --
residence hall rooms, classrooms, offices, and common areas.
Systems
and Networks initially planned and implemented a true campus network
in the summer of 1998. The entire campus was wired with multi-mode
and single mode fiber optic cabling between buildings and CAT5 UTP
copper cabling within each building. This supported an OC3 ATM based campus network providing 155MB fiber based
connectivity between buildings and 10MB switched Ethernet to all
desktops, computer labs, classrooms and residence halls.
During
the spring and summer of May, 2002 a significant network upgrade was
designed and implemented as part of the 2001 state bond referendum
for higher education. Two remaining buildings were brought up to the
campus CAT5e wiring standard and a new Gigabit
Ethernet backbone was installed. This new design provided Gigabit Ethernet
bandwidth between campus buildings and upgraded all desktop, lab and
residence hall connections from 10MB to 100MB links. In addition,
new monitoring software, bandwidth management and a security
firewall were put in place.
The
UNC Asheville backbone is connected to the Internet through networking
services provided by the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC).
The MCNC network, NCREN (North Carolina Research and Education
Network) utilizes fiber optic circuitry to provide UNC Asheville with
a high bandwidth connection to other UNC campuses and to the
larger Internet.
Systems
and Networks designed the campus backbone with significant excess
capacity to support future applications such as campus video
distribution, voice applications and building controls systems.
UNC Asheville is finalizing plans for a
major network equipment refresh and implementation of IP telephony
for the campus during 2009.
Other network related projects currently underway are: an improved
and expanded wireless implementation and an enhanced security
posture utilizing a Network Access Control (NAC) environment to
validate and secure all devices connected to the campus network. Further announcements related to both of these
projects will be forthcoming in late 2008/early 2009.
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Email
Account Maintenance
Systems
and Networks staff create and maintain email accounts for accepted
students and authorized faculty, staff, and guests. They monitor account usage patterns,
control account disk storage usage, and support anti-spam efforts.
Current discussions are underway to study the possibility of
outsourcing UNC Asheville email services. More information
will follow as it develops.
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Operations
Systems
and Networks staff oversee daily and weekly backup of the central
systems, archiving/restoration of file systems, and maintenance of
the backup environment.
Operations staff, under the direction of the AIS group, perform the
backups and other required administrative afterhours processess.
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Hardware
Maintenance
Systems
and Networks is responsible for hardware maintenance of the central
systems and associated peripherals, and of the centralized
networking hardware. The group keeps track of maintenance contracts
and arranges service to equipment as necessary.
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