Security
and
Internet
Services

Security
home

E-MAIL UPDATE: RELIEF IS COMING
Internet Services has started upgrading the Central e-mail servers with new FiberChannel disk arrays. This will address some of the performance issues of the last few weeks, and add storage space for e-mail. There is currently 300GB of mail stored on the servers. The first array was installed on Feb. 27, and plans and equipment are in place to upgrade two more systems in the first week of March.

POSITIVE CHANGE FOR LISTSERVS
The U's Listserv e-mail service now has the same spam control features that are in place on the other central system machines.

CRITICAL SERVER IDENTIFICATION
OIT Security is in the process of identifying the most critical servers in the University. Collecting this information is an important part of our ongoing risk management and operational improvement initiatives and is also related to our compliance obligations. For more information on identifying and reporting critical servers to OIT Security, see http://www.umn.edu/oit/security/criticalserv.shtml.

IS HITTING THE "DELETE KEY" GOOD ENOUGH?
Computer users may think that data or programs have been deleted by hitting the "delete key," but there are often significant remnants remaining on the hard disk of the computer. Non-public data and licensed software remaining on computers, other electronic devices, and storage media at the time of transfer or disposal represents a substantial risk. To protect against this risk, the Chief Information Officer has approved this Secure Data Deletion Standard: http://www.umn.edu/oit/security/datadeletion.shtml.

ARE YOUR SECURITY PATCHES UP-TO-DATE?
Almost all operating systems and many software programs have periodic security patches that need to be applied. If those that are identified as critical patches and updates are not applied on a regular basis, computers on the U network risk being vulnerable to various worms, viruses, Trojans, and direct hacker attacks. To protect against these risks, the Chief Information Officer has approved this Critical Security Updates and Patches Guideline: http://www.umn.edu/oit/security/updates-patches.shtml.

Network and
Telecommunication
Services

NTS home

HELP FOR MAC USERS: APPLETALK MIGRATION TOOL
The AppleTalk and IPX network protocols are being phased out throughout the U data network to allow for eventual network upgrades. Once these protocols are turned off, if you want to do file sharing and printing you must use Internet Protocol (IP) only. Mac users who want to share files with others may need to acquire a third party tool to help them accomplish this. [MORE]

COFFMAN UPDATE
CMU moves in January generated 1,400+ work orders for telephones and data connections; everyone's goal was to provide timely service to all staff and student organizations. 256 Telephones and 387 Data jacks were installed not including the Bookstore moves. [MORE]

OFF CAMPUS BUILDINGS: U PHONE SYSTEM
Three off campus buildings have been added to the U telephone system network this year: Dinnaken, St. Anthony Falls Lab, and MAST. This extension is possible with new fiber optics cable installed for each of the new locations and the expansion capacity of the new telephone system. [MORE]

STANDARDS ESTABLISH GUIDELINES
Keeping current with telecommunications technologies NTS, continues to research, evaluate, and establish Equipment Infrastructure and Wiring Standards for the University of Minnesota. All standards are approved by the Regents and establish guideline for all university construction. [MORE]

Academic and
Distributed
Computing
Services

ADCS home

WEBCT: LATEST STATISTICS
As of Feb. 2003, 911 WebCT sites were being used in conjunction with a course offered in Spring 2003 at the U; and 28,693 students on all campuses were enrolled in courses associated with these sites. These and other updated statistics about University use of WebCT course management software are available at
http://webct.umn.edu/about/university-use.shtml#stats.

COMPUTER TRAINING FACILITIES RENTAL
The University Technology Training Center (UTTC) makes its computer training facilities available for hourly rental when courses are not scheduled. This includes computer labs on the East Bank, West Bank, and St. Paul campuses. For more information call 612-625-2005.

FILEMAKER PRO 5: RELATIONAL FEATURES
Tired of typing repetitive data into your FileMaker databases? Frustrated by data entry inconsistencies causing problems with your reports? Learn how to resolve these types of issues by taking our short course on FileMaker's relational features on APRIL 29 and MAY 1. The prerequisite for this course is our seminar on relational database design basics on APRIL 15. Details on both classes are available at http://www.umn.edu/uttc.

NEW TEL SHORT COURSES
Faculty members may take two new technology-enhanced learning courses that begin on APRIL 15: Creating Course Web Sites: Building an Online Learning Community and Creating Learning Objects: iMovie 2 Basics. See http://training.micro.umn.edu/ShortCourses/ClassList.cfm#16.

TEACHING WITH TECHNOLOGY FORUM MEETING
Professor Tom Reynolds will lead a discussion about teaching technological literacy at the next meeting of the Digital Media Center's forum for those interested in using technology for teaching: THURSDAY, MARCH 6, noon-1:30 pm, Fireplace Room, McNeal Hall, St. Paul. See http://dmc.umn.edu/forum/forum.shtml.

TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED LEARNING (TEL) SEMINAR
As part of the TEL Seminar Series, Associate Professor C. Cryss Brunner will present how she immersed students in virtual policy-forming situations to illustrate how leaders' perceptions affect decision making: TUESDAY, MARCH 25, noon-1:30 pm, 210 Walter Library. See http://dmc.umn.edu/services/series/spring03.shtml#march25.

PURCHASING PERSONAL SOFTWARE
What personal software purchase options are there for U of M students, faculty, and staff? UCS offers an onsite option; Techmart offers online purchases; and the Microsoft Academic Student Select program is a good option for qualified students. [MORE]

PURCHASING DEPARTMENTAL SOFTWARE
What options are available for U of M departments to purchase departmental software? [MORE]