Commitment to machines on the desktop

• All full-time faculty and staff will have a PC or Mac
• Every adjunct will have access to a PC or Mac in a common area
• All machines will be networked

Hardware life cycle

• The college will adopt a three-year average life cycle for lab machines
• The college will deploy retired lab machines into office areas
• Some machines in technology intensive areas will need to be replaced as often as every two to three years
• Approximately 15-20% of the college's total inventory will be replaced each year
• Older machines generally will be retired before newer machines
• In some cases, newer but troublesome machines will be retired early
• The cost of desktop replacement cycle is about $500,000 each year

Hardware reliability

• Purchase brand name PCs from statewide contracts
• Include three-year onsite warranty for all new PC purchases

Client Software

• Two or three standard configurations in offices
• Consistent, standardized configurations for all labs with additional software added as requested by faculty
• Current standard software load includes:
• Current version of Windows or MacOS
• Microsoft Office  (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Powerterm  terminal emulation using TCP/IP for transport
• Netscape
• WS_FTP (Windows clients)
• Fetch (Mac clients)
• McAfee Virus protection
• Verex (Mac clients)
• WinZip
• SMARTFORCE
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Simeon  or shortcut (on networked systems, client software is loaded from server)
• Load above software on local hard disk
• Load other software on the local hard disk when indicated
• Otherwise, load as much software as possible on servers
• Updates to desktop will be accomplished with “push technology” software where feasible

Servers

• OpenVMS (VAX and Alpha) and Windows/NT
• Require network logon (i.e., logon to the PC or Mac - a non-network mode may be necessary for training)
• If possible, use same password for network logon and VAX logon
• Serve MACs from Windows/NT when possible
• Novell server for Novell teaching lab only
• AS/400 for teaching lab only
• Locate servers in computer room
• Attach servers to network via switched Ethernet
• Attach servers to network at 10MB or 100MB as indicated
• Management software for Labs and Offices -- Ghost, PC-Rdist, “push” technology, etc.
• Provide file sharing on Windows/NT servers
• Backup client hard drives over the network via the servers
• Establish faculty accounts on servers for loading student test data files, for turn-in directories, etc.
• Teach workshops that explain how files may be shared among desktops

Backup of PCs

• Use Seagate Backup Exec Software to regularly backup user files on servers

Microsoft Windows 2000 Upgrades

• All labs upgraded to Win2000 during Fall 2000
• All new office machines will come with Win2000 preinstalled
• Upgrade all old office machines as outlined by the PC Replacement Plan

Satellite Campuses at Blount County, Magnolia, and Division Street

• Contingent upon funding, establish dedicated open labs

Mac

• Continue to support Mac, for CGT and other graphics applications, etc.
• Serve Mac clients from Windows/NT servers where possible
• When possible, load common software across Mac and Windows platforms

PC Technical Support

• Maintain existing group (currently ten technicians and one manager)
• Supplement the group with contract support
• Assign technicians to functional areas and labs on Pellissippi Campus (OST, CST, etc.)
• Technicians will be in and around their assigned labs during the first week of classes
• Assign a technician to each satellite campus
• Assign each office to a particular technician
• Each user will generally know which technician is assigned to their machine
• All technicians will use standard machine setups

Problem Reporting and Tracking

• Problems will continue to be reported to the HelpDesk, either e-mail or phone service accepted
• HelpDesk will dispatch problems directly to technicians via the ServiceIT software
• Emergency problems will be dispatched via radio to the technician responsible for that machine
• Work stoppages will receive highest priority, all other problems will be handled first-in, first-out basis
• If priority conflicts arise between offices and labs, labs will be given higher priority

Networking of PCs and Macs

• All new wiring will be 10baseT, switched Ethernet
• Old wiring will be converted to 10baseT, switched Ethernet as funding is available
• 100MB between buildings, 100MB to servers, 10MB to clients
• TCP/IP for transport, no DECnet, LAT, or IPX
• $100,000 budgeted annually for networking operating infrastructure support
• JetDirect cards for printers
• Print via Windows/NT servers or direct to printers, phasing out VAX print queues
• DHCP server for assigning IP addresses and to address TNII implementation

Training for Technicians

• Increase the frequency and level of training
• Use BCS programs where possible to reduce overall costs, especially travel costs

Faculty Support

• Multimedia applications and Web applications will be supported by Educational Technology Support
• At least one computer will be placed in all classrooms for instructional support
• Information Services will continue to offer short courses and seminars
• More extensive faculty development activities will be supported through Academic Affairs
• Recommend BCS as an additional resource for faculty development

Note

• This Plan represents both current state and support plans to be implemented during the next year.