Network+Security+&+Growth

Rationale: We recognize that technology represents a powerful educational tool, however it must also be considered in the broader context of its importance to daily operations within FWCDS. Additional investments in infrastructure can not be considered optional if FWCDS is to consider itself a leader in educational technology. In this age of ever-increasing electronic threats, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure that the information kept on the FWCDSCN is protected from unauthorized access by individuals or other entities that would misuse it. We must also strive to create an internal environment that can be somewhat filtered from those less desirable aspects of global information which do not match our core values.

Recommendations – Action Items –
 * The network administrator will ensure, by all means possible, that FWCDSCN is secure from unauthorized use.
 * The FWCDS community will be protected, by all means possible, from objectionable electronic media, messages and content.
 * The FWCDSCN infrastructure will continue to develop in such a way as to allow for expansion into appropriate and viable technological initiatives.
 * 1) The network administrator will monitor, through appropriate hardware and software tools, the use of the FWCDSCN.
 * 2) FWCDS will adopt appropriate hardware and software tools, and plan for their upkeep, to ensure content filtering of Internet related materials as well as electronic messaging services.
 * 3) The FWCDSCN infrastructure will be consolidated in a common point of demarcation that allows physical space for maintenance, physical space for additional hardware, and physical space for the support functions of repair and replacement.
 * 4) The FWCDSCN will be expanded to allow for wireless communication.

COMMENTS ON ACTION ITEMS:

1. Complete; Andy has employed numerous dedicated monitoring solutions 2. Complete: SPAM and Content Filtering are included in above devices. 3. Complete to level possible: moved into server room in US Science building 4. Complete: Trapeze wireless solution is campus-wide (almost)

Jim Aldridge:
 * Network access protection seems good. Web login falcon screen is awkward, especially for mobile devices like iPhones.
 * Objectionable content seems to be adequately blocked; Andy is responsive to requests to open sites as needed.
 * It was nice to see increased bandwidth this year; could stand to be better yet.
 * Is Trapeze system fast/broad enough as netbook/laptop use increases?

Mandy Lofquist:
 * I agree with Jim concerning protection and filtering. I do appreciate the speed at which Andy grants requests to open sites.
 * The LS lab tends to run slowly when on the internet (ask Chris H. about that) and I haven't really noticed an increase in bandwith in the lab. This could be due to the way it is configured. Again, Chris H. can speak to this as well.

Stephen Dickey:
 * Kudos to the tech staff for improving network security. It has definitely improved over the past few years.
 * The Spam filtering is very good. Also, students are having more difficulty bypassing the security to reach unauthorized sites.
 * Wireless access is very good in all areas I've tried to connect on campus. Like Dr. Aldridge, I too have noticed the bandwidth improvements this year. Let's keep increasing the bandwidth regularly.

Lisa Wallace:
 * Definitely improvement in bandwidth; still some wifi dead spots on campus, such as my room.

Laura Terry
 * Providing wireless access on campus is a great idea. However, there are problems with the "I AGREE" page. It is so cumbersome that many don't use the wireless access on their computers because of the "I AGREE" problems. Many students don't use the wireless network for their moblie devices because of the "I AGREE" page problems. It is faster to use the cellular system.
 * I don't understand why it is so much harder to use the wireless laptops than the hard-wired computers in the computer labs. Wireless is wonderful, but when several students in a class can't get their laptops to work, the daily lesson gets lost in technical troubles. We still need to work on this area.

Andy Beasley

We need to start planning for a major network operating system change. Novell will discontinue support for Netware 6.5 in 2015. We have six Netware servers that house all storage for faculty, staff and students. Faculty and student email are housed on Netware servers as well. Novell GroupWise can be installed on Windows or Linux servers so we would not necessarily have to change email platforms. Any above changes will need extensive planning, budgeting and training.
 * Do we need to look at Microsoft Active Directory for our future storage needs?
 * If we switch to AD, do we switch to Exchange/Outlook for email?
 * Do we look at Google Apps for Education for storage and email?
 * Or do we switch to a combination of the above?