University of Minnesota

Institute of Technology

Minutes of ITICC Meeting

October 19, 2000

3:30 p.m., 340 Folwell

Present: Dan Bance (ADCS), Randal Barnes (CE), John Baxter (Math),

Dan Boley (CSciE), Bryan Carlson (CEMS), Tom Chase (ME), Tracey DeLaney (Astro),

Tina Garrett (Math), Michael Greminger (ME), Andrew Hamann (ITSB),

John Hickey (CSciE), Peter Hudleston (IT Stud Aff), Phil Kachelmyer (ADCS),

Jerry Larson (ADCS), Larry LeMay (ADCS), Jim MacDonald (CSE&ITlabs),

Kent Mann (Chem), Melissa Martyr-Wagner (CLA), Samia Nangia (CEMS),

Tom Shield (AEM),

1) Status reports from CSci and ADCS

Lab operations appear to be smooth. No troubles reported, except Chase noted that there was a problem in running Ansys in ME 308. Apparently, when ME308 was moved off the ATM network onto a different subnet, the Ansys license server would not serve licenses to machines on the new subnet. Ansys has been contacted, but the problem has not been resolved. Students can still run Ansys from ME 308 by logging onto the machines in EE/CS 4-204 remotely.

Larson reported that the software to use Debitek card readers in some of the labs had to be rewritten – it did not run on Windows 2000. The card reader is used by students as an alternative for paying for printing using the student ID card value stripe or "gopher gold" cards. Larson hopes it will back in use sometime yet this semester. This is still not a fully automated system, however, in that the charge is not directly added to the user’s STARS account; the user still pays for the copies made in cash or by check. Shield asked what it would take to make it fully automatic. MacDonald thought it would not be worth the time and effort involved, but said that the Technical Committee would give the matter consideration and report back.

Hudleston reported that the fee revenue this fall appeared to be reaching the predicted level, an improvement over the situation last year, with problems resulting from semester conversion and PeopleSoft implementation.

2) Discussion of Tech Committee's Thoughts on Lab Improvements for the Fall

MacDonald presented a draft of proposed lab improvements to be considered for implementation prior to the start of spring semester. He noted that there were few changes needed mid year. The network is in great shape (it is all switched and 100 Mbps). The one possible need is the replacement of the oldest machines, the 11 Indigo workstations in the classroom/lab in ME 302, and possible addition of five extra machines. There is currently no great SGI replacement for these machines, which should be replaced by Unix boxes. The best option would be Octaine2 w/ V6 graphics, 256 MB RAM and 9GB disk. The cost, however, at $13,500 per unit, is high and the feeling was this is not great value for money. Also, the general feeling was that the Indigos were still functioning well, although Chase noted that they were slow in response to some prompts.

The consensus was that we should not replace the Indigos at this time, but be alert to developments in the market and wait to replace them.

There was a discussion about the desirability of increasing the standard disk space allotted to students (currently 20 MB, automatically increasable to 40 MB on request). Few students currently request 40 MB, but not all students appear to know about the option. Students present seemed to favor an increase. The Tech Committee will consider presenting an option of increasing the disk allocation to 100 MB.

MacDonald reminded the committee that we would need to make plans for taking over and equipping Lind 26, once ADCS moved over to the new facility in Walter (not likely to be until sometime in early 2002). The modifications include putting in adequate air conditioning, but they should not be too great because the room is currently a functional computer lab.

Hudleston asked the Technical Committee to bring a final proposal to ITICC at the next meeting.

3) Other Businesses

There was lively discussion on the status of implementation of wireless at the university and how this might develop hand in hand with the use of lap tops. Martyr-Wagner described a project that CLA is involved in, with OIT, of installing wireless hubs in two classrooms (one in the Humphrey Building, one in Folwell Hall). In one case this involves the installation of 3 access points in a room, to serve 26 (or 29) lap tops. The lap tops will be loaned or rented out to students, by the day. In IT, Chemistry has installed access points in one of the chem labs, and is allowing students to check out lap tops at the start of the lab (the concern here is space on the desk top, space is saved with a lap top over a desk top). These test cases, plus the installation of a few access points proposed by ITICC (in EE/CS and other buildings with high IT student concentration) should provide useful information about the feasibility and usefulness of this technology. There is still considerable concern about security and the lack of an approved protocol by OIT. The general opinion is that a universal lap top requirement does not make sense for IT.