Iowa State University
College of Human Sciences



CHS IT Newsletter

Volume 1, number 3
September, 2007
http://www.hs.iastate.edu/it/
 

Announcements

IT Manager's Report

Network and Server Updates

Tech Tip: Network Storage Help

Labs & Equipment

Web and Database

Course & Research Support

Training

Contact Information


Announcements
 

  • Welcome to two new staff members: David Wallace (desktop support) and Kurt Niggemeyer (database and web).
     
  • We have a new mobile classroom capture system available, called "Apreso," that is well suited to capturing guest speakers, student presentations, and class demonstrations. Contact CHS IT support for booking details.
     
  • Migration of user's computers and profiles is well underway -- about half the college had been completed by September.
     


IT Manager's Report


Welcome to the fall edition of our CHS IT Services newsletter. We have been busy making numerous changes since our last newsletter: migrations, updates to labs, new servers, and new staff.

In the area computer migrations to the H Sci managed domain on the Iowa State Active Directory, we have now completed the migration of AESHM, HDFS, FSHN departments, and a number of other smaller units. I know we had some post-migration issues but I believe our migration coordinator and desktop support staff were usually able to address every issue in a timely manner. Most importantly, no data was ever lost and full functionality has always been restored. I thank those of you who participated in the post-migration survey. Your comments and patience really helped identify where the process needed improvement. We look forward to completing the migration of ELPS in October and C&I during winter break.

There have also been a number of updates to the Mackay labs. In Mackay 307, 8 new iMacs have been installed, replacing older G4 systems. Approximately 20 new Dell Optiplex 745s were installed in Mackay 106. New instructional software was installed, a Sympodium added, and a new lab applications server was installed. Finally, we are becoming more familiar with the Apreso classroom capture system as the semester marches on. We hope to make it more widely available as soon as possible.

There are three new servers of particular interest to users. A new "P-drive" file server was installed and is in operation. Each person on the P-drive has 5Gbytes of disk space, as compared with 300Mbytes on the old CFCS server. Each department also has 300Gbytes of disk space on the new "U-drive" file server. A separate U-drive server never existed before so this is a big improvement. Finally, we have separate Network Area Storage (NAS) devices available for each department. These are similar to a file server but less costly. Each device provides 2Tbytes (tera-bytes) of disk space.

I'd also like to introduce the new staff hired during the summer. Kurt Niggemeyer is our new database and web person. Kurt obtained a bachelors of science in Computer Engineering from ISU in 2000 and later obtained his Certification in Information Assurance in 2005. Kurt's work experience includes software testing, support, and development. He was previously employed by Pioneer in Johnston. Kurt's primary responsibilities with H Sci will include adapting and maintaining the college's faculty database (which he is in the process of porting to a new server). His web activities will be under the guidance of, and in coordination with, Cathy Curtiss.

The final member of the CHS IT Services team is our new desktop support specialist, David Wallace. David recently graduated from Iowa State with a bachelors of science in Computer Engineering. During his undergraduate years he worked as the Senior Student Administrator of the College of Electrical and Computer Engineering's Computer Support Group. David was also a Community Advisor for three and half years in the department of residence. David will provide the leadership and continuity needed in directing our student techs who assist with desktop support.

Space prohibits me from expanding on all the improvements we've been making but huge strides are being made in improving all facets of IT in the college during the last year. I believe the infrastructure has been greatly stabilized and all the pieces are coming together. It is our sincere desire in CHS IT Services to make a positive impact in the college with the new services and people. Hopefully you've been on the receiving end of this effort. We're not done yet, so please stay tuned!
 


Network and Server Updates


College Exchange Service ending

At the beginning of 2007, the decision was made by the college to transition users from the former CFCS Exchange (email) server, Ares, to the Exchange servers operated by ITS. Ares is scheduled to be decomissioned at the end of December 2007. The rising costs of in-house operation and future costs of upgrading to prepare for guaranteed service were far more costly than moving users to ITS. Though most mailboxes have now been successfully moved off of Ares, approximately 100 remain.

On December 1st, any remaining users who have mailboxes on the server will receive a final emailed notice that access to their Ares mailbox will be disabled at the end of the month. The service will be turned off on December 31st, 2007.

We ask for your assistance in indentifying the ownership and future of the remaining mailboxes. If you have a mailbox, or know of a mailbox stored on the College Exchange server, please submit a HEAT ticket (http://www.it.iastate.edu/question) or call the solution center (4-4000) so that we can begin the process of moving or closing down the mailbox.


IASTATE Migration Update

The migration to the new H Sci managed IASTATE domain is progressing very well, and the CHS IT Services staff would like to thank everyone for their time, cooperation, and assistance with this project. At this time, we have migrated roughly half of the college to the new H Sci managed IASTATE domain, and we anticipate all migrations will be completed by the end of the year. Answers to a few of the most common questions can be found below.

Who has and has not been migrated to the IASTATE domain?

Department/Program

Migration Complete

AESHM

Yes

C&I

No

ELPS

No

FSHN

Yes

FSHN Labs

No

HDFS

Yes

RISE

Yes

Student Services

Yes

UTEP

Yes

Why can't I access my network drives (P and U) while off-campus after being migrated to the IASTATE domain?

  • To access your network drives from off-campus after being migrated to the IASTATE domain, you will need to download an updated set of VPN files from the college remote access section of the CHS IT Services website (http://www.hs.iastate.edu/it/support/remoteaccess.php).
     

Where can I find more information on the IASTATE domain migration?


Tech Tip: Network Storage Help


Most of the computers in the college have been migrated to the "iastate" domain.  This means that accessing your personal and collaborative storage space on our servers is easier than ever.  However, if you are having difficulties getting connected, have general questions about what we offer or how you should use our network drives there is a Network Drive Handbook for your reference.  Just visit the computer support section of the Human Sciences website and click on Frequently Asked Questions & Announcements, or go to http://www.hs.iastate.edu/it/faq/ and select "Network Drive Reference Material."
 


Labs & Equipment


There have been several new developments in the computer labs in MacKay, starting with 17 new Dell SX745 computers in 106. Also in 106 is a Sympodium from Smart Technologies (allows the user to have Smart Board functions from their computer monitor). There is a new HP Color LaserJet printer in 108 available to users of the labs in 106,108 and 113 MacKay. We have also moved several lab applications to a new Dell server allowing for faster processing of and more file storage.

To reserve a lab for a class, send an e-mail to swen@iastate.edu

To check current lab reservations, see http://www.hs.iastate.edu/it/labs/reservations.htm  

Open lab hours are as follows, unless reserved for class:

MacKay 106-108-113 MTW 8am-8:30pm
Th F 8-5
MacKay 307 M-F 8am-5pm


Additional information:


Web and Database

Recently we moved a handful of websites that were running on our old CFCS web server, Titan. These sites were either not being used, or had very little activity. They have either been shut down, or now redirect the user to www.hs.iastate.edu. These sites include:

  • careers.fcs.iastate.edu
  • cmaa.fcs.iastate.edu
  • dietetics.fcs.iastate.edu
  • fceds.fcs.iastate.edu
  • fshn.fcs.iastate.edu
  • ftp.hs.iastate.edu
  • hdfs.fcs.iastate.edu
  • hrim.fcs.iastate.edu
  • old.fcs.iastate.edu
  • tc.fcs.iastate.edu
  • ww2.hs.iastate.edu
  • ww2.rise.hs.iastate.edu
  • www.fceds.iastate.edu
  • www.fcs-careers.iastate.edu
  • www.fshn.iastate.edu
  • www.hdfs.hs.iastate.edu
  • www.hrim.iastate.edu
  • www.tc.iastate.edu
  • www2.hs.iastate.edu

Due to the warranty expiring on the Titan server, we are in the process of identifying and moving all web sites to either the new college web server, chs-wb01, or to virtual hosting. However, chs-wb01 is strictly reserved for only web-based applications software which requires a Microsoft based web-environment to run.

The preferred home for all other sites will be on departmental and program virtually hosting in coordination with the communications group headed by Cathy Curtis; that group is promoting the use of virtual hosting. Some departmental and program sites will need to be converted and ported to the virtual server because it provides more security, FrontPage extensions will not be enabled by default on chs-wb01, and we have found no compelling reason to continue developing "home grown" sites that don't follow some basic standards.

FrontPage was discontinued by Microsoft in 2006, making it particularly clear that we must move away from using this software package altogether. We are presently asking those who use FrontPage to switch to the online CHS Web Page Generator at www.hs.iastate.edu/test/pagemaker/homepage.php  or to use Dreamweaver and the templates that can be downloaded at www.hs.iastate.edu/webhelp/   to create or edit PHP pages. For file transfer, we are phasing out file sharing and moving everyone to ftp file transfer; we recommend using Filezilla software for the latter.

We will be happy to assist departments and programs in porting their sites. Porting these sites off Titan will makes it possible for CHS ITS to better host and secure the sites that require a Microsoft web-based environment other than FrontPage Extensions.

We are also in the process of retiring the old CFCS database server, Mackay6, and replacing it with a new college database server called chs-db01.hs.iastate.edu.

 


Course & Research Support


Want to have a class website but don't know where or how to start? Don't have time to figure out HTML and WebCT? Trying to do it yourself but have a question about some aspect of WebCT? We can help! The college's instructional designer, Karla Embleton, provides website design and development services and training to instructors who wish to have online courses (or course components) available on either the college web server (ClassWeb) or through WebCT.

Assistance is also available for coding online research surveys in WebCT or with the built-in survey components of FrontPage on the College web server. Over the course of the year, CHS IT hopes to expand our educational support staff and services.

Instructors and researchers can reach Karla at 294-9198, embleton@iastate.edu, or find her in E116 Lagomarcino Hall.
 

What is ClassWeb?

Class websites on the college server are collectively referred to as "ClassWeb" and form a portion of the "College Course Portal." The Portal also contains software tips and links useful to instructors. Ideally, instructor contact information and course syllabi online for every course, every semester, will be available through ClassWeb. If the bulk of a course's materials are stored elsewhere (perhaps in WebCT) then links can be incorporated from the course's ClassWeb site to the main course site.

Some things to know about ClassWeb:
(http://www.classweb.hs.iastate.edu/)

  • ClassWeb is a public website -- no logins or passwords are required.
  • ClassWeb is easily accessed from many web browsers with no special end user software requirements.
  • ClassWeb sites are rebuilt each semester but course materials can be "rolled over."
  • One complete academic year of material is visible in ClassWeb. Older items are archived.
  • ClassWeb is primarily for one-way transfer of information, from instructor to student.
  • Instructors are not given write-access to ClassWeb. Items must be provided (normally through email) to the ClassWeb manager for processing. Average turn-around is under 2 business days.
     

What is WebCT?

WebCT is a learning management system licensed by the University for delivering online courses and course supplements. WebCT accounts can also be ordered for non-course purposes, such as learning communities, special projects, and administrative uses. Faculty training and assistance are provided through the ISU Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT, http://www.celt.iastate.edu/events/ ) and are also available in-house.

Some things to know about WebCT:
(http://www.celt.iastate.edu/webct/)

  • WebCT users must login to the system using their netID and password. (Guest IDs can be created as needed.)
  • Users must check their computer software for compatibility with WebCT.
  • WebCT course accounts must be requested each semester. Content can be rolled over.
  • Many interactive elements can be added to WebCT courses, such as quizzes and surveys, assignment dropboxes, discussion spaces (including blogs and journals), chats and whiteboards. WebCT contains its own internal mail system.
  • Materials can be stored in sharable WebCT repositories.
  • A WebCT course can be linked to the Registrar's database so as to keep the WebCT course's enrollment current and allow grades to be passed electronically to the Registrar.

If you use WebCT, Karla can assist by:

  • Placing your course account order.
  • Adding instructors, designers, and TAs to your course.
  • Aiding in the design and development of your course.
  • Providing 1-on-1 training and in-house help desk support as needed.
  • Removing students from previous semester's courses (upon instructor request).

New WebCT Gold Tips:

More software and WebCT Tips are available at http://www.classweb.hs.iastate.edu/tips/. Let us know is there is a tip you want written up.



Training
 


Contact Information


For technical assistance: Help Center (Solution Center), 195 Durham, 294-4000, http://www.it.iastate.edu/help/ , solution@iastate.edu  

Please send your newsletter comments to: hsciit@mail.hs.iastate.edu  

For more information about CHS IT, see http://www.hs.iastate.edu/it/