University of Minnesota

Institute of Technology

Minutes of ITICC Meeting

October 21, 1999

3:30 p.m., 133 Physics

Present: Bance (ADCS), Barnes (CE), Carlson (ADCS), DeLaney (Astro), Du (CSE), Haarklau (BIN/BNA), Hayes (ME), Hudleston (IT Stud Aff), Kachelmyer (ADCS), Larson (ADCS), LeMay (ADCS), MacDonald (CSE&ITlabs), MacEwan (Chem), Mann (Chem), Miller (Chem), Muno (AEM), Pirie (CEMS), Runzel (CE), Rusack (Phys), Shield (AEM), Swanson (ECE), Wentzcovitch (CEMS), Winkelmann (Math)

1) Introductions

Several new faces so general introductions. Yvonne Haarklau is the new person responsible for the BIN and BNA programs run through University College. Hudleston reminded the committee that BIN students pay the IT fee and use the lab in North Hennepin Community College that IT has responsible for.

2) Report from CSci and ADCS

Bance noted that ProE is now installed on the NT machines in EE/CS 3170. He didn’t know what use this was getting. Larson said that we would be keeping ME 308 open late (until midnight) for the last 5 weeks of the term. He had talked to Prof. Ramsey in ME about having an outside door open on the weekends.

3) Proposal from the IT Tech Committee

MacDonald presented a proposal to make further improvements to the IT labs, using funds available in FY2000. He had earlier in the day sent to ITICC two pdf files via e-mail, one providing a recommended list of equipment purchases, totaling $207,787, and the other listing issues remaining unaddressed or unresolved.

MacDonald explained the thinking of ITTech committee in making its recommendations and the problems the committee had had in completing them. The principal problems (and partial solutions) are:

1. 43 8-bit SGI Indys are in need of replacement, but SGI does not now have a viable model as replacement. Part of the recommendation is to replace SIGs with Suns, and part to “test” an alternative to the SGI using Pentium III machines with dual processors. Muno said that Aero runs ProE on 400 MHz Pentium machines with no problem. In fact this is faster than on the UNIX workstations.

2. 25 older Macintoshes need replacement. Do we go with the expensive G4s, or do we phase the Macs out? More information about usage pattern in the labs is needed. One suggestion, the iMac, would allow cheaper purchase, but no upgrades.

3. More network hardware upgrades to 100Mb/sec are needed in the EE/Cs labs and CE 230. This could be done this year, or it could wait a year.

4. There is a possible need for disk space expansion. There seems not to be shortage and there have been no complaints. MacDonald explained he found out why there had been none at all. When the new RAID system was installed, the limit on home directory space was not reset. Some students had greatly exceeded the limit of 10 Mb (although the average was 6 Mb and the median 6.8). Of the 9,000 account holders, about 3,000 had less that 1 Mb. 541 exceeded 20 Mb.

Hudleston said he had contacted Chase, and that he (Chase) would in the near future make a recommendation to the committee concerning possible change in disc allocation. In the interim, MacDonald said that the limit was set at 20 Mb. Hayes, sitting in for Chase, said she would suggest that Chase contact MacDonald.

MacDonald then went through the list of proposed equipment purchases. He mentioned that he would be prepared to work with Hpux and Aix, but would prefer not to.

The merits of the 600 MHz Pentium III dual processor machines versus less powerful alternatives was discussed. Was the extra speed worth the jump in cost between 550 and 600 MHz? Should we consider larger monitors? Would the dual processors be efficiently used?

The rationale for moving Pentium Pros from ME 308 to CE 230, and putting new machines in ME 308, was discussed. It makes sense to put the most powerful machines where demand is highest.

There was discussion as to whether the purchase of the CDRW drives would encourage software piracy. The problem is not a new one, and we have the regulations and policies that clearly state the law. There seems no need for added rules, but maybe for added vigilance. We deal harshly with offenders if we catch them.

A motion was made, seconded, and carried unanimously to accept the recommendations of the Tech Committee with the following modifications:

1) (in item #3) We would look into Pentium III 550 MHz machines in place of the 600 MHz machines, and 21” monitors in place of the 19” monitors

2) (in item #9) An additional CDRW drive will be purchased for CE 230.

There is no rush for the Technical Committee to complete its recommendations. Usage of computers for the whole of last year is available, and we will look closely at the pattern for the Macintoshes versus the NT machines.

3) Other Business

None