Networked Services Update 7/14/2005

Contents

Updates

UCMShare (Docushare)

Docushare has been upgraded to version 3.1, and is now deployed using a separate database server and Oracle database (it was formerly using Postgres). Please be sure to use ucmshare.ucmerced.edu to gain access, as IP addresses may change with different versions. Performance is significantly improved and will improve again when we upgrade to version 4 in a month or two. We apologize for the long delay in resolving the performance issues, and the inconvenience of making Docushare read-only for a week. The delay was caused by the vendor, on whom we were waiting to resolve a critical issue. With the new database technology in place, future upgrades will not require extended periods of limited availablity.

UCMSTOR

With Docushare fully available again, we would nevertheless like to remind everyone of another file storage facility, UCMStor, which is a more traditional file storage facility. It is inherently faster and simpler than UCMShare, and is recommended for files that do not require document management facilities (such as searching, versioning, abstracts, etc.). Access is available to all faculty and staff from Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX-type systems.

UCMCROPS

UCMCROPS, our implementation of Sakai 2.0, is now available and being used by several faculty to developing online courses. Integration work with our SCT/Banner system is currently underway so that faculty will be able to access class rosters and post grades via UCMCROPS. Workshops have been announced to acquaint and assist faculty with Sakai features and course development -- please contact Faust Gorham for further information.

New webmail and portal features

A number of changes to the portal (myUCMerced) have been in progress and will continue to roll out. These include the addition of Sakai, a new webmail client, and single sign-on. The new webmail client was designed to run in the portal and comes from the University of British Columbia. It is intended to be the primary facility for students to access email, and will replace the current email client now used by faculty and staff. With the single sign-on facility, the webmail client will show up as a tab once you have logged on to the portal. Other applications, such as Sakai, Docushare, and the web calendar will also be available without an additional log on. We will also be working on integrating single sign on into home grown applications such as PAWS and IDM.

New channels will be made available, including one for submitting and tracking IT Help Desk requests, and others for accessing administrative applications. Sometime this year, the channel for incoming students will be moved off of the top portal page and into a tab dedicated to these students that they will be able to access with their UCMIDs and passwords.

Campus IT

The campus network is up and running and supporting users in Central Plant, Housing, and imminently in the Library. It is connected via fiber both to our facilities in Castle and to CalREN at 1 Gbps. We are actually deploying two networks, the general purpose one, and a special utility network that is being used to support energy management, card access, security devices, etc.

In progress

Identity Management

Our Identity Management system has been coming up in stages, and was deployed in time first to support students applying for admission, and then to identify and provision services (such as email accounts) to our incoming students. The stage currently under development will integrate staff into the system and will provide tools both for MSOs and individuals so that both directory entries and provisioning is done accurately and in a timely manner. We have created an Identity Management Office within IT to manage issues such as access, privileges, account creation and distribution, directory entries, password resets, etc.. This function is headed by Gregory Fellin and is independent from the IT Help Desk which will continue to handle requests related to desktop usage (see Contact Information, below).

New wireless service

As the result of a recent RFP, the Airespace product line from Cisco has been selected as our campus wireless network standard. As part of the deployment of Airespace products, we plan on implementing newer and simpler access mechanisms (no longer requiring the Bluesocket client), leveraging off of recent wireless standards in the security arena. Initially, the new access will be deployed in the campus and potentially other locations where we do not currently have wireless; then we will come back and upgrade the Castle wireless facilities.

IT web site

Development of an IT web site and related portal channels is under way so that information about IT services is more readily available. The student part of that site is already available, and additional content will be published on an ongoing basis. The most current information now available for faculty and staff is still in the Networked Services Homepage, reachable via the networked services channel in the portal.


Looking for help?

We offer a number of tutorials and FAQs available in the Guides & FAQs section.

If you have any questions, problems, or comments, please contact the IT Help Desk via email at helpdesk@ucmerced.edu, via phone at 209.228.HELP (4357), or visit them in the Classroom and Office Building room 132A.