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Learn about the latest technology initiatives at Natick Public Schools including updates, challenges, and goals to enhance the learning environment.
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Natick Public SchoolsTechnology UpdateSeptember 11, 2006 Dennis Roche, CISA Director of Technology
Technology Update 2006 -2007 • Technology Vision • Summer 2006 Update • Updated Technology Plan • Challenges & Goals
Technology Vision • Implement best of breed solutions from K-12, higher education and the business world. • Create an open environment that embraces multiple platforms and multiple clients. • Allow use of personal computing devices and in safe and secure fashion.
Technology Department Mission • Establish and maintain a reliable and secure technology infrastructure. • Provide technical support and on-going training to all faculty and staff. • Manage third party technology vendors and service providers. • Collaborate with faculty, staff and administrators on new technologies.
Summer 2006 Update • New Technology Staff • Steve McGrath, Help Desk Manager • LaKisha Wilson, Technician • Chris Kiepert, Web & Data Base Administrator • Open Positions • Technical Support Specialist • Network Administrator
First Class • Rebuilt a server with internal hardware redundancy (Hardware level RAID) to maximize uptime. • Upgraded First Class Server Software to current release. • Ran Repair Utilities on First Class Data Base. • Conferences within First Class re-organized. • New SPAM filter implemented.
Backend Server Work & Computer Room • All servers relocated main computer room at Natick High School. • All MAC servers upgraded to newest version of Operating System. • New storage, backup and fiber switches purchased and installed. New faculty currently on new storage solution. • New dedicated electrical service installed and protected by electrical generator.
Elementary Software • Re-installed 500 elementary computers with a standard suite of software. • MicroSoft Office now available to all faculty. • Students have access to Appleworks, Inspiration, Kid Pix, Neighborhood Map Machines, Sammy’s Science House and the Internet.
Business & Science Departments • Business Lab A107 cabled and added to network. • Cabling for managed wired access points completed in the S wing. Access points to be configured and piloted later in the school year. • Licenses for Microsoft Windows XP and Office 2003 purchased for student use.
Nurses Upgrade • Phased out Citrix Server based solution which was only required to provide a Windows application to MAC clients. • Replaced all Nurses machines with PCs which greatly decreased login time and minimize printing issues. • Worked with Town IT Department on upgrading SNAP Data Base and providing access.
Steps to Rebuild Network Servers & Domain • Production Environment • New Storage & Backup Infrastructure • Domain Controller Replacement 4. Windows & MAC Integration
Production EnvironmentStep 1 • By end of 2005 - 2006 School Year, 36 MAC OSX and 11 Windows Servers centralized at Natick High School. • Rebuilt and repurposed 6 existing servers to retired 6 of the oldest servers. • Additional memory and internal hard drives purchased to sustain existing environment until data migration conducted. • Rebuilt 2 Servers for DNS. • All MAC OSX servers upgraded to latest version of MAC OSX (10.4.7) to ease migration process and secure backup of directory information. • Production environment currently consists of 18 MAC OSX and 7 Windows Servers.
New Storage and Backup Infrastructure Step 2 • Purchased and installed new storage, backup library and fiber optic switches. • (9) existing servers rebuilt & repurposed to serve as file servers to storage arrays. Additional servers to be rebuilt as we migrate. Each server can manage 100-150 active connections. • Purchased and installed fiber optic cards in all servers for optimum access to storage arrays. • New faculty added to new storage system this school year.
Domain Controller ReplacementStep 3 • Purchased (2) additional MAC servers to continue testing without impacting production. • Conducted tests of rebuilding new domain controller from scratch. • Purchased block of phone and on-site support consulting time with Apple to verify approach and minimize disruption.
Windows & MAC IntegrationStep 4 • An Active Directory environment is our long term goal to achieve seamless integration of MAC and Windows clients. • A second migration will be required to achieve this goal after completion of the current migration.
Challenges for 2006 - 2007 • Nurses Upgrade & Science Department Wireless Pilot delayed due to Network Administrator departure. • Printing at Elementary Schools limited. • Can’t add new Lilja faculty to network due MAC Manager Data Base Issue. • Email problem with SPAM filter and Comcast blacklisting us. • Login issues at Wilson Middle School - Discovered loose connections on a stack of switches in a wiring closet.
Current High Priority Issues • Fifth and Sixth graders not able to access home directories. • Pending Patron Upload to Library Circulation Systems delaying book circulation. • Java Programming class - students unable to run compiled applications.
Summary of Goals for 2006 - 2007 • Complete data migration to new storage device, rebuild servers and domain controller. • Separate Website from First Class and redesign district level and school level sites. • Upgrade wiring closets based on priority and need. • Complete due diligence on SIS system and implement best solution. • Implement emergency notification system. • Pilot interactive white board solution.
