John discussed Microsoft's direction for operating systems. Resources are already being reassigned to the development of the Windows 2000 successor. John commented on the complexity and diversity of the Windows 2000 product line with its dozen or so variants. The Windows 2000 design methodology has been driven by the desire to prevent the crashes and reboots experienced with NT and earlier operating systems. The new backbone is complete.
Gigabit ethernet is operational, there are two routers and it is fully redundant.
Hot cutover has been tested. Engineering, School of Environment, and North Building are on gigabit ethernet. ResNet will be added shortly. There is a gigabit connection to MCNC and a redundant path will be available soon. Internet and Internet II are operating on the same path now.