From: grigghm@MCMAIL.CIS.MCMASTER.CA (Heather Grigg)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.cw-email
Subject: Re: email questions
Date: 5 Nov 92 19:53:49 GMT
              <CW-EMAIL@TECMTYVM.BITNET>
Reply-To: "Heather Grigg" <grigghm@mcmail.cis.McMaster.CA>
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Jim,

On Thu, 5 Nov 1992, Jim Ennis wrote:

> Hello,
>         My campus (University of Central Florida) is considering supporting
> email for all of our staff and students.  Currently we have a mix of host
> and lan based mail systems supporting about 15% of the campus.  We are looking
> at bringing up either a Unix based email system or a POP based server for
> out users.  I would appreciate answers to the following questions from
> any site who is running is this environment or who might be thinking about
> it.
>
> 1) How many users are you currently supporting?

    We are in a transition phase having moved part of our faculty/staff
customer base to an unix-based server from an IBM/VM system.  We intend to
move the rest of this community from a VAX/VMS system to the unix system
by next April for a total of 1500 userids.  We are also looking to
implement a separate unix mail server for the undergraduate students
(currently on a VAX/VMS system using VAXMAIL) which would potentially
service 3000 userids.

>
> 2) Are you using a POP based system or a Unix email system (Pine/elm)?

        We are currently running PINE on the unix host, but plan to offer
a POP alternative for those interested and who have the necessary hardware
to run the application.

>
> 3) How much disk space have you allocated to the POP server (or Unix box)
>    and do you have a formula for allocating space?

        We have enforced a soft and hard quota system on each email
account - providing up to 1 MB of permanent storage and up to another
megabyte of temporary space (primarily for file transfers)

>
> 4) How powerful of a email server do you have (MIPS) and is it dedicated
>    to the email function?

        We have an SGI 4D/340S (4 cpu's) with 128 MB memory, 1 - 1.2 Gb disk,
2.5 Gb disk, a CD Rom unit (for loading system unit), the operating system
is IREX vers. 4.0.1.

>
> 5) How many support people (man hours?) do you need for the email
>    system each month?

        I guesstimate the support person spends 1 day a week to support the unix
based community of approx. 700 userids.  The VAX support is more extensive
- one of our reasons for the move. Other reasons include system support,
maintenance, the desire to support one common platform, etc.

>
> 6) How do you support access to the email system?
>
>     1) direct TCPIP access (NuPop or Eudora).
             yes - primiary method on-campus
>     2) SLIP access
             Hopefully in the not too distant future for off-campus access
>     3) ascii dialup/gateway through pbx
             Primary method from off-campus currently
>
> 7) How many concurrent users do you support?
>
           We've stress-tested the system at about 125, but have been assured
by the vendor that the system is capable of supporting up to 300
concurrent ids. We are planning to reconfigure the kernal to allow more
processes and stress test again.  We are also waiting to implement a much
anticipated operating system upgrade which is supposed to assist us reach
the 300 concurrent users mark (version 5).

> 8) How do you handle documentation and training?

        Hardcopy basic (help sheets) instructions are available, also
online man pages.  We also offer periodic "Introductory" group
demos/training sessions for new users.  We have found that the software
requires very little training/support particularly in comparison to
applications we previously used and supported (IBM VM - PROFS & vmmail,
VAXmail).

>
> Thanks very much.
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Jim Ennis - Senior Systems Programmer  |    UCF Postmaster
> University of Central Florida          |    JIM@UCF1VM.CC.UCF.EDU
> PO BOX 25000                           |    (407) 823-2713
> Orlando, FL 32816                      |    "Servo/Crow in 92"

Regards,

========================================================================
 Heather M. Grigg                         grigghm@mcmail.cis.mcmaster.ca
 Manager, Client Support                  grigghm@mcmaster.ca
 Computing and Information Services       TEL: (416) 525-9140  X4084
 McMaster University,  ABB 131/J          FAX: (416) 528-3773
 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada  L8S 4M1
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU