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Archive: April 7, 2004

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Security and
Internet Services

Security home

E-MAIL UPDATE: HARDWARE UPGRADES COMPLETED
While students took their spring break, the Internet Services staff completed the planned upgrades to the central e-mail servers, adding five new POP/IMAP servers, with a sixth waiting for rack space to be brought online. Hardware is also available to upgrade the Premium Service machine, and a upgrade schedule is being drawn up for the hardware and software.

BEWARE OF ATTACHMENTS AND LINKS
Mass mailing viruses are on the rise and are using social engineering to spread, sending messages that look like they came from your system administrator, someone in your department, or places where you might have an account. Some even include a password to open an attachment. To avoid cleaning up a mess after your computer is infected, only open attachments when you expect to get one. If an unexpected attachment arrives, contact the sender. Taking a little time now can save lots of time later. More here: Hanson's "Human Nature vs. Security" article at http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/231 .

HOME COMPUTER SECURITY
Are you concerned about security on your home computer but are overwhelmed about how to start? This checklist for Microsoft Windows users could help you: Granneman's "A Home User's Security Checklist for Windows" on the SeucrityFocus website at http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/220 .

SPAM AND VIRUS STATISTICS ANYONE?
In March, Central E-mail spam controls blocked 7,029,285 messages. Anti-virus controls blocked another 292,097 messages.

Network and Telecommunication
Services

NTS home

EYE OF THE STORM: NETWORK MANAGEMENT
On March 17, 2004, NTS completed contract negotiations with Entuity, Inc. to purchase their Network Management Solution Eye of the Storm (TM) for the campus network upgrade. The Eye of the Storm provides fault, performance, and inventory management capabilities and includes a suite of reports for historical analysis (statistical reporting) and real-time trouble-shooting.

FIRM APRIL 20 DEADLINE: CISCO PRODUCT DISCOUNTS
Deep discounts on Cisco products are available until April 20, 2004 for departments on any U of M campus. This offer is part of the Gopher GigaNet Network Upgrade completed contract with Enventis. This special pricing is only good for orders placed by April 20. If interested, contact Jane Thomas, Purchasing Services: j-thom@umn.edu, 612-624-2094.

NEW NETWORK EQUIPMENT
NTS Staff involved in the installation and support of the new network equipment have completed training on the methods and procedures for installing Distribution and Edge Devices. Installation crews are currently installing new equipment on the St Paul Campus based on this training. The primary goal of training [MORE]

AUDITS
NTS installation technicians are also trained to perform detailed audits along with installation while in the field. This enables resolution of inaccuracies in the cable-tracking database in real time wherever possible. All other cable infrastructures will continually be audited and accuracy verified.

TOWN HALL MEETINGS CONTINUE ON CAMPUS
The last Town Hall meetings (April 2 and 5) were held at Coffman Union. Big attendance and many questions provided for productive sessions. In the coming weeks more meetings will be scheduled for the East and West Banks. Check the Gopher GigaNet web pages for news, events, and town hall presentations: http://www.umn.edu/nts/networkupgrade/ .

MARCH 2004 PROGRESS REPORT: NETWORK UPGRADE INSTALLATION
New equipment is installed after pre-installation audits, corrections, current equipment is moved, and review and data updates to the NTS tracking database is complete in the following buildings - BioSystems/AgEng - Coffey - Dining Center - Engr & Fisheries Lab - Haecker - Info Tech Bldg - Magrath Library - Peters Hall – and Student Center (StP). And still in progress are the following buildings: [MORE]

Academic and
Distributed
Computing
Services

ADCS home

UPDATE: WIRELESS COMPUTING
The wireless coverage has expanded to include 70 percent of campus buildings. To find the current map or list of wireless access points see: http://www.umn.edu/wireless . That website includes information about configuring your wireless network card and standards for wireless computing.

Digital
Media
Center

DMC home

TEL GRANT WINNERS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK
Ten projects have been awarded funds through the 2004 Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) Grant Program. The project proposals will be available on the DMC site by April 9. See http://dmc.umn.edu/grants/ .

SECOND SEASON OF "TECH TALK"
Watch the TV show that helps everyone from Luddites to techies understand the technology that surrounds you everyday. Tune into TPT channel 17 at 7 PM on SUNDAYS. See http://techtalk.umn.edu .

APRIL 20: MANAGING TEL PROJECTS: PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES
Learn and practice the basics of managing technology-enhanced learning (TEL) projects at our 3-hour seminar: APRIL 20, 1:30-4:30 PM, 210 WALTER LIBRARY. See http://training.micro.umn.edu/ShortCourses/ClassDetail.cfm?ClassID=1641

APRIL 27: DISCIPLINARY TEL TEACHING COMMUNITIES
The Digital Media Center director and current faculty fellows will describe their technology-enhanced learning (TEL) communities of practice: TEL Seminar, APRIL 27, noon-1:30 PM, 101 WALTER LIBRARY. See http://dmc.umn.edu/spotlight/teaching-communities.shtml .

MAY 6: ENHANCING LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGY: USING GAMES AND SIMULATIONS
Learn how to teach with technology-enhanced games and simulations to foster collaborative learning and creative problem solving and to motivate learners with structured narratives and compelling puzzles. Attend our 3.5-hour seminar: MAY 6, 1:00-4:30 PM, 210 WALTER LIBRARY. See http://training.micro.umn.edu/ShortCourses/ClassDetail.cfm?ClassID=1680

The URL of this document is http://umtechbrief.umn.edu/04/tb0404/tb0404.html
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