OIT Project Updates

The following is an update on several of the projects currently underway in OIT.

DHCP

The conversion from static IP addresses to a DHCP environment is 20% complete. The following buildings have been successfully migrated this summer: Fondren Library Center (FLW, FLE, FLC), SIC, Perkins Administration Building, McFarlin, Hamon, Greer Garson, Owen Arts Center, Kirby, Selecman, Prothro and Guildhall. The team will spend the month of August wrapping up some loose ends with the first batch of migrations. We will begin with the next set of buildings in September. For more details or to view the tentative schedule, click here.

Sitecore Migrations

We are working with various departments and schools to convert all websites from the old server to one of the new web servers. At this time, there are less than 200 sites that will need to migrate off of the old server by next summer. For more details about this project, click here.

ePortfolio Pilot

We are working with Meadows School of the Arts on an pilot that will utilize WordPress blog software to develop student ePortfolios. We hope to develop this service and offer it to a wider audience by the Spring semester.

Data Center Initiatives

A lot of work this summer focused on construction and setup for our disaster recovery site in Plano as well as planning for the new data center that is currently beginning construction. Our goal with the Plano Data Center is to provide quick recovery to those services and services critical to the University functions. Our ability to recover quickly was severely limited due to power, cooling and space limitations. With the renovations complete in Plano and several servers already relocated, we are making great process in meeting our business continuity initiatives for the University.

New Firewall provides better Malware Protection

We recently configured a new firewall system to provide increased security for the campus internet traffic. This new firewall offers additional malware protection.  The firewall compiles a list of sites that have been infected with malware that would be passed on to a computer.  The firewall prevents these pages from being displayed and instead presents the user with a webpage indicating the site has been blocked. 

Classroom Support System:

The Classroom Support team is working on a new service that will allow the Help Desk and Classroom Support personnel to remotely control some of the classroom AV equipment. This will allow us to respond more quickly to emergency classroom calls as many of the issues can be resolved remotely. Currently, there are 20 classrooms that have been configured on the new system. We hope to complete the rest of the classrooms by the end of the Fall semester.

Network Upgrades:

The Network team has been installing a number of access points, switches and other network gear across campus. Their efforts have focused on Fondren Library, Meadows, and the Residence Halls. In addition, the main campus network router was replaced and internet bandwidth increased overall. 

Cell Phone Justification Process:

The Cell phone justification process is almost complete. This process required almost 500 forms to be completed and approved by a number of individuals. In the next week, we will complete the new process for tax compliance. This process will be repeated on an annual basis.

Apps.SMU pilot:

We have also installed and configured a new service to replace our older terminal service environment. This new service will allow authorized individuals to run certain applications within a virtualized environment from their desktop. This is currently in a pilot stage. Functionality will be extended for other applications that would benefit from the level of security and flexibility.

Access.SMU SYNC Project Underway

Over the next year, the team will be preparing a major upgrade to Access.SMU. This will include separating the database for HR and Payroll systems from the Student Systems as well as an upgrade to the HumanCapital Management system.  The self-service portal functionality will remain the same.  The project is scheduled to be complete in June 2013.