Both UPSs in the data center are running in line and are available if they should be called into service. Additionally, we are in the process of upgrading our power and generator capacity to prepare for future growth in the WBOB Data Center. The project is scheduled for completion over Memorial Day weekend in 2009.

Although the outage was very brief, many of the enterprise systems that are hosted in the WBOB Data Center crashed and needed to be manually recovered. Some of the applications affected may include the following:

. Active Directory
. Image Now
. Listserv
. PeopleSoft Campus Solutions
. UMCal
. University e-mail
. WebVista

Note: this is not a complete list.

If you continue to experience problems with any U of M systems or if you have any questions, call 1-HELP on campus (612-301-4357).

The UPS failure resulted in the immediate loss of power to all equipment (servers, disks, switches, etc.) on the Power Distribution Units (PDUs) connected to the UPS. The UPS vendor was called, and their support technician discovered some damaged batteries in the UPS. The technician set the power system to bypass the UPS and go back to building power, resolving all downstream electrical problems and allowing OIT staff to immediately begin restarting all systems affected by the power outage.

As a result of this outage, a number of applications that were offline for regularly scheduled maintenance (such as PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, Netfiles, Listserv,University e-mail, and UMCal) did not come back online within the scheduled maintenance window. Most applications were back online within an hour or two of the normal maintenance window. UMCal was offline until later in the afternoon, but it is functioning normally at this time.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) apologizes for any interruptions to your work that were caused by this outage. OIT staff responded to this problem immediately, and they continue to follow up to ensure that this issue will be avoided in the future.

Adding locations
Prior to the cutover, OIT engineers have installed new hardware at different locations around the region. This new hardware will extend our network to multiple new locations such as Ames, IA; Kansas City, MO; the Centennial Office Building (State of MN), and various locations on campus.

Adding resiliency
As part of this upgrade, OIT has installed redundant routers at each of the coordinate campuses to add resiliency. This is an important way to eliminate single points of failure and provide redundancy in case there is a hardware failure, making our network more reliable for users.

Keeping up with bandwidth demand
Each year, the demand for bandwidth at the U of M increases; this year, for example, it is expected to increase by 500 megabits. In order to keep up with this increasing demand, OIT exercises due diligence by adding sufficient bandwidth to its network. Therefore, in addition to making our network bigger and more resilient, OIT is also taking this opportunity to upgrade its commercial Internet connections as well. We plan to have 2.4 gigabits per second contracted for to the Commercial Internet with the ability to burst in excess of 5 gigabits per second. Additionally, we will have over 10 gigabits per second available to Internet2 and other research networks.

Cutover
These changes to the Gigapop and Coordinate Campuses should not affect users in a negative way. OIT plans to cut over in early morning hours, and there is no scheduled downtime.

The MERLOT international conference is designed to foster learning, innovation and practice in the use of information, instruction, and communications technologies in higher education. It is the venue for educators, administrators, and technologists who have interests and expertise in technology-enabled teaching and learning and who recognize the need to remain current in this rapidly advancing field of educational practice and theory.

Conference, registration, cost and contact info: conference site

The University Video User Community (UVUC) is a professional peer network of video professionals who are involved in various types of video work at the University, including production, presentation, networking, event coverage and classroom. The group's purpose is to connect video professionals University-wide, creating opportunities to share and learn with each other, increase awareness of existing resources, identify collective video-related needs, and form creative strategies for dealing with inherent industry challenges.

Anyone working in the areas of video production, networking, or presentation, or anyone else interested in learning more about these topics is welcome to attend. Those attending are asked to R.S.V.P to lancec@umn.edu or Susan Tade at stade@umn.edu

Tour the Master Gardener Education and Research Display Garden, including some fifty mini-gardens. View birds from the University of Minnesota Raptor Center, see modern farm equipment and take a ride on a hay wagon.

Complimentary lemonade and corn-on-the-cob will be served.

Cost: Free!
Contact: Sara Harwood (612) 626-3798 or harwoods@umn.edu