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Systems Support Users
Group Minutes |
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Systems Support Users
Group Minutes |
Systems Support Backup Scenarios
Hodges provided the group with a list of how computers with different operating systems would have their data backed up. The list divided the backup means into windows NT workstations and older Windows 2000 laptops; Windows 2000 workstations; Windows 2000 laptop computers; student worker computers; Macintosh computers in the Nelson Smith Building; Macintosh computers in Hovey and Bone Student Center; and servers.
Hodges indicated that people who don’t log off were not getting their data backed up. A question was asked about personality profiles, and the response was that Hodges group would be putting the profiles on servers. Much more information is currently being backed up than at any time in the past. Hodges indicated that home users who log into COPDOM03 would need to consider how to store their data so it could be backed up, although the number of users at this point is very small. A question was asked about Netscape Bookmarks and Internet Explorer Favorites and the ability to back those up. Hodges responded that they are being backed up through the J Drive.
Microsoft operating systems all use the My Documents as the primary place for document storage, but Hodges group redirects the primary document storage area to whatever the user prefers. Eudora runs from a shared J Drive, which means data from there is also routinely backed up. If users access Eudora from home, the configuration is to leave mail on the server.
Dwyer asked about turning on roaming profiles for home machines directly connected to COPDOM03. Specific conversation was about laptops and how there was no backup if they were not connected to the network, but will be backed up once reconnected to the network.
Hodges mentioned that T. Radka has resource software so students don’t get access to the departmental resources except for during certain hours. Some conversation ensued about different departments needing student worker access at different times.
Eighteen of the 21 Macintoshes which are supported by Hodges group are in the Nelsen Smith Building. The two located in Hovey have no need of data backup as all documents are saved to drives which are backed up. Moran asked about the Chicago Alumni Office pcs. Hodges indicated that Chicago has a temporary link for back up.
Once a week there is a full back up of the 20-25 production servers (along with nightly differential backups), a process that has worked well. They don’t back up Mac applications, but need to know what applications are resident on the local computer. It is easier to re-install Mac applications from the original software rather than from a taped backup.
Hodges stressed the recommendation that users log out at night but leave computer running and on weekends shut down the computer. During lunch hours, lock up the computer.
A discussion took place about links on the main web page that get redirected and the back button not working properly.
Hodges said they have started putting the meeting minutes and support documents on www.sys.ilstu.edu and have started training for Windows 2000. He asked for comments and suggestions regarding the newsletter, but the consensus of the group was it was fine as it appeared. Any suggestions should be sent to Hodges.
The discussion about webmail centered on its advantage being flexibility. Webmail2 will eventually replace Webmail. Fowles asked about documents on web sites that are downloaded as PDF files which can’t be printed. Hodges said it might be a problem with the version of Acrobat Reader that is being used. Internet Explorer and Netscape have to be installed before Acrobat is added. Seems to be an Acrobat problem.
Vorhies mentioned that space on hard drive servers is much less than in the past. In fact, they are running out of space. Various methods for getting users to clean up old files that are not necessary to their work any longer. Many different scenarios were offered including a division wide cleanup day where the work of the day would be deleting unnecessary files, with proper technical support staff stationed at each building to assist with the process.
Topics for next meeting include remote access and active directory piloting to be done in the next month and in spring, summer.
Meeting brief prepared by
Kathy Beal
3/12/02