EAS Computer Committee Meeting

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

Agenda

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

Computing Update

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

Computing Update - Continued

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.

The Future of EAS Desktop 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).

The Future - Continued

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.

The Future - Continued

The Future - Continued

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

Virtual Implementation

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

EAS Websites

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

Effective Time Management

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

Discussion & Action Items

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

Discussion & Action Items