Network Managers Meeting Minutes

December 6, 2001

 

Minutes recorded by Joe Dance – send corrections or comments to dancejoe@moore.sc.edu

 

 

Michael Dollar opened the meeting.

 

Chris Brown:  requested information for a study on instructors’ use of technology in the classroom.

 

Joe Dance:

n             Gave a brief overview of the WAN Group:

o        The WAN Group is comprised of individuals from Computer Services, RCCE, DEIS and the regional and branch campuses.

o        The WAN Group was formed because of interest in using the network for transmission of video and voice, and the need to upgrade infrastructure for Y2K.

o        The WAN Group was instrumental in planning and oversight of the upgrade of the backbone and connections to the campuses outside Columbia.

n             Identified what appears to be the biggest obstacle to providing reliable QoS for video and voice, as the continuing use of IPX:

o        Quality of Service is important for video and voice.

o        QoS is implemented on Cisco routers by means of policy maps, class maps and ACLs.

o        Cisco’s method of providing QoS works for IP, but does not appear to work for IPX.

o        It appears that, because IPX is a broadcast protocol, the router’s class map and policy map are not checked with regard to IPX traffic, which thereby compromises the router’s attempt to provide QoS to video and voice.

n             A show of hands revealed that a significant number of those present were still using IPX.

n             Anyone using IPX was asked to email Joe Dance following the meeting, so the users of IPX and the need for IPX could be identified.

n             A more detailed presentation is being prepared for a later date.

 

Ronni Wilkinson:

n             Most of the intrusion detection sensors are online; four to go.    

n             The IDS is providing a lot of information.

n             We are seeing a lot of Nimda on the network.

n             The use of the “demarc” GUI to the IDS was demonstrated.

n             The url is:  http://beav.csd.sc.edu/dm/demarc .

n             Windows NT is easier to clean up from a Nimda infection.

n             Windows 2000 is considerably more difficult.

n             The IDS has helped a great deal in identifying infected machines.

n             The IDS is currently operating in passive mode.

n             The IDS also has several components that operate in active mode; some disrupt suspect traffic, while others are relatively benign.

n             We are looking into the Emerald project, which has been developing another interface and management console.

 

Michael Dollar:

 

n             Michael discussed the self-study SACS IT and SACS Admin reports.

n             The SACS reports and Michael’s comments are on the website.

n             The SACS IT report was highly critical, but overall, it was considered to be fair.

n             One of the final recommendations was for USC to officially sanction the Network Managers as a group.

n             Generally, the reports call for centralized coordination& strategic planning of IT, and decentralized execution, with plenty of support personnel available to assist with website design, content development, etc.

n             Note that these reports were prepared as part of the self-study; the report of the visiting SACS team has not yet been published.

  

Michael Dollar:

n             Ronni Wilkinson will take over as Chair in January.

n             The next meeting will be in February.

n             Nominations for Vice-Chair are still open.

 

Michael Dollar closed the meeting.