October 21, 2008

Computing update◦ Desktops◦ Labs◦ Computer rooms

The virtual future of EAS desktop computing◦ Currently in testing phase◦ Tech Fee proposal submitted for labs

EAS main website, individual disciplines and personal websites

Computer staff resources/time budget◦ Staff Abilities◦ Effective time management

Remedy call tracking Detractors Policy change

Desktops◦ EAS does not currently have a replacement policy

for desktops◦ New versions of software require better resources

to run, causing usability issues on older systems◦ High failure rate of all Apple Mac products

Labs◦ 5 Computer labs

All 48 systems out of warranty Usability issues with older computers

Tech Fee Proposal rejected last fiscal year Tech Fee Proposal submitted this fiscal year

Computer Rooms◦ ES&T L1235 At capacity

Retire a system to add a system◦ Boggs 2-73 At capacity

Recent air failure, possible residual damage No further additions planned

◦ Rich Machine Room Home to the new EAS Atlas cluster

Expandability for this system only

Vision◦ High productivity computing will be

embraced for lab, desktop, and mobile computing. EAS will move from providing desktop systems to students, visitors, and faculty; choosing to maintain backend servers. This allows personal machines to be used with institute or EAS licensed software and fosters pervasive computing.

What changes?◦ EAS will provide connectivity support for student

owned laptop computers and make recommendations on software.

◦ Desktop computers will no longer be provided by the department.

◦ EAS will provide backend servers for remote access of virtual Windows and Linux desktops.

◦ Labs will have several thin client devices per lab to foster group work, but students may use their own laptops for individual activity (lab dependent).

What are the benefits?◦ User experience does not change.◦ Thin clients have longer lifespan than traditional

desktop machines.◦ System administration greatly reduced, centered

on backend servers.◦ Green solution – thin clients are 6 times more

efficient.◦ Thin clients are much less expensive than

traditional desktops.

Phase I – Lab VDI◦ Summer 2009

Phase II – Server Consolidation◦ Summer 2009

Phase III –Staff Persistent VM◦ Spring 2010

Phase IV – Graduate Student Persistent VM◦ Summer 2010

Phase V – Faculty Persistent VM◦ Summer 2010

www.eas.gatech.edu◦ Runs on dedicated server◦ Maintained by Ken Peebles

Supported by ISG Training required

Group Websites◦ Runs on departmental gateway machine◦ Maintained by individual groups

Supported by ISG Personal Websites

◦ Runs on departmental gateway machine◦ Maintained by individuals◦ Recommendation: Move to campus resource

Remedy◦ Call tracking system with feedback

Detractors◦ Obsolete computer systems & parts◦ Lack of Policy◦ Lack of training

Policy Change◦ EAS policies in addition to CNUSP

Recommendations Single desktop, no dual boot Single computer per person Acceptable use Support from Committee & Chair

Virtual Computing◦ Concern for performance of server◦ Concern for students not having laptops

Policy◦ (Mark) Generate straw man policy proposal and

circulate to the committee members Hardware maintenance after 3-5 yrs Desktop systems

Number allowed per person Dual boot Reasonable Service

Software Licensing◦ Mathematica License is expiring Nov 1

Web Server◦ Immediate need for Windows based server for

class◦ Schedule meeting with ICPA unit to discuss

offerings◦ Check website offerings around campus

Write requirements / wish list for EAS website Quantify and Qualify website design

Grants & Contracts◦ Schedule meeting with OSP to discuss computer

hardware, software, and maintenance for proposals