Taking the idea from the Campus Pipeline attribute messaging application, Steve showed a mock-up of an electronic announcement application that would provide a robust means of posting information. These capabilities keep the user from having a cluttered announcement space. This approach has great promise. Server Directions VMS, Unix Terry Combs briefed the group on efforts to enhance and protect the applications running under VMS and Unix. The clustered approach mirroring data to multiple locations is optimal, but the most expensive solution.
All applications are under review to determine the level of criticality and risk.
In addition to servers, the infrastructure disk system is being replaced which not only better protects us from faults, but positions us to provide RAID and mirroring opportunities. The Winchester disk system will be shipped on February 18 and he hopes to find out more about our options in the near future. Once the Winchester system is in place, we hope to pursue rack mounted servers to provide robust and reliable service. C. Media, Back-up services These types of servers are being considered and discussed in a decentralized approach. There was discussion about whether this was a good idea given it would be harder to support and possibly more expensive for the campus.