CCFIT > Calendar & Minutes > 1998-2003 Minutes > August 20, 2001 AC4 Minutes

Agenda

1. Welcome-Chair Plant
2. Phase Out of CPR's Apple Computer Repair Service
3. Progress Report on the Implementation of the Student Computer Ownership Expectation
4. Proposed Wireless Communications Policy
5. Report on Security of Campus Networks and Systems

Minutes

Excused: Matt Bishop, Angela Cheer, Pat Turner, and Neal Van Alfen.

Absent: Cristina Gonzalez, and Kathi Sylva.

Guests: Peter Blando, Mary Sue Hedrick, Roger Hess, Dave Klem, and John Stenzel.

Staff to the Councils: Randy Moory, Julie Sayler, and Babette Schmitt.

I. Welcome - Chair Plant

Chair Plant introduced three new members: Andy Jones - Lecturer and member of the Academic Federation; Aram Yengoyan - Director, Teaching Resources Center; and Julie Saylor - Office of Resource and Management Planning and staff to Council. Council approved the May minutes.

Dr. Bruno, Vice Provost-Information and Educational Technology (IET), announced the phasing out of Apple computer repair services. These services are currently provided by IET's Computer and Printer Repair (CPR) unit. Bruno explained that a number of factors have led to the conclusion that continuation of the service is no longer viable. Among those factors is the steady decline over the last three years in the number of computer repairs as well as Apple's decision to provide direct repair support to its customers, thereby greatly reducing the need for third party providers like CPR. Bruno indicated that IET is working closely with the UC Davis Bookstore to establish a depoting option on campus through a partnership with Sacramento State University. CPR will notify all current and potential customers prior to and throughout the duration of the phasing out. A Web page is being developed to provide more information and updates (see http://itcpr.ucdavis.edu/). Repairs of Apple and HP printers will not be affected by this change.

Council members asked if IET might be sending two different messages by providing Apple computers in the multimedia labs (Meyer Hall and Hart Hall) while at the same time phasing out Apple computer repair services. Peter Blando, IET-Lab Management, replied that the type of equipment in the media labs and other computer labs managed by IET reflects the needs of the campus clients being served in those labs. In the Meyer Hall facility, for example, Environmental Design uses tools that function best on Apple computers. IET continually monitors the needs of the departments and obtains the best equipment to meet those needs. Council members noted that it was important to recognize these as two separate issues: the use of Apple computers (for which IET will continue to provide technical support) and the infeasibility of providing on-campus repair services given the current Apple support model.

Other questions focused on the type of warranty available from Apple. Blando noted that Apple offers a standard 1-year warranty, with the option to add two more years.

Pat Kava, Chair of the Student Computer Ownership Workgroup, gave an overview of the workgroup's recent activities and achievements. To summarize, Kava reported that the workgroup has:

1. Successfully negotiated an agreement with Dell Computer to provide entering undergraduate students with high value computers at lower-than-market pricing;
2. Developed, adopted, and published hardware and software recommendations (see the Student Computer Ownership Expectation Web site at http://computerownership.ucdavis.edu);
3. Worked with the Office of Financial Aid to identify possible funding sources to support student computer ownership for financial aid recipients;
4. Developed and started implementing a comprehensive communications program to inform students, parents, counselors, and other parties of the expectation as well as the components of the computer purchase program (see the August 2001 Report from the workgroup at http://vpiet.ucdavis.edu/scow.html); and
5. Provide a technical support program through IT Express (IET's main Help Desk), the UC Davis Bookstore, and Dell.

Kava reported that in recent days a small glitch occurred with software licensing, but she indicated that the workgroup is working on a solution. These issues should be rectified in a few days.

Council's questions revolved around the following:

• Support for the Computer Purchase Program - Other campuses where a similar expectation has been implemented have experienced an increase in the demand for technical support. Kava indicated that, starting this Fall, IT Express will closely monitor the level of additional support required to support the new program.
• Software - All laptops and desktop systems purchased through the program will be equipped with, at a minimum, Office 2000, anti-virus software, and Internet tools. The systems will also be customized to simplify access to the campus network and Internet.
• Transitioning from on- to off-campus housing - Kava explained that all computer systems will be equipped with both a modem and an Ethernet card. This will enable students to connect to the network (to check email, look up Web pages, etc.) through either a modem pool (e.g., via an Internet Service Provider) or a direct network connection (e.g., from the dorms or one of the general access ports on campus).
• Faculty's ability to obtain the software installed on students' systems - Kava noted that most computers purchased outside of the program will carry the same or similar software. She also indicated that the software licensing unit in IET has negotiated discount prices for the most commonly-used software packages on campus (e.g., Microsoft, Norton, Lotus, Oracle, etc.). Faculty and staff can avail themselves of this program by logging on to http://slc.ucdavis.edu/ or emailing software@ucdavis.edu for additional information. In addition, the Bovine Online Internet tools software package available for purchase through the Bookstore includes recent versions of many of the most popular Internet software programs (e.g., Web browsers, email program, anti-virus program).
• Crediting sales tax - The workgroup is evaluating whether the purchases made online through the Dell Computer Purchase Web site can be credited to the UC Davis campus, thus making the collection of sales tax local to Davis. Currently the campus and Dell do not believe it can be accomplished, but they will continue to evaluate possible options.

Council members congratulated the workgroup on their tremendous work and progress toward implementation of the expectation.

Bob Ono, Campus Security Coordinator, presented the draft Wireless Communications Policy. Ono reported that various groups and individuals are reviewing the policy. Once their informal feedback is incorporated into the next draft, the policy will be presented for formal review and inclusion in the UC Davis Policy and Procedures Manual.

The draft builds on the proposed revisions in the PPM Section 310-16, the UC Davis Electronics Communications Policy. It sets forth policies for using wireless technologies and assigns responsibilities for the deployment, administration, and support of wireless services on campus.

Ono briefly described the current use of wireless networking on campus. He noted that many departments are interested in deploying wireless solutions for their constituents. One such department is the Graduate School of Management, which recently deployed a wireless network for their students, faculty, and staff. In addition, IET is conducting a pilot project that provides wireless cards to students and faculty in the School of Law, Shields Library, and the MU.

A number of issues have arisen following ad hoc deployments of wireless networks. They range from interference between different departmental implementations and other uses of the wireless spectrum to security risks to the campus network and resources. Since last April, Ono has been consulting with, and seeking feedback from, the Technology Infrastructure Forum (TIF) on how best to handle such deployments. The TIF recommended that the policy consider the following issues:

1. Organizational control of wireless access points;
2. Wireless security;
3. Interference between wireless devices and how to prioritize the resolution of these conflicts;
4. Suitable uses for wireless communications and interoperability between buildings.

Ono noted that the policy addresses these recommendations and provided an overview of its provisions.

Council members inquired about the following:

• How the policy addresses interference and security of devices - Ono indicated that the policy calls for proper installation, configuration, and registration of wireless equipment. In the event that a wireless device interferes with other equipment, the policy identifies the Vice Provost-Information and Educational Technology as the party responsible for resolving the interference. The draft policy identifies research as the number one priority for use of the wireless bandwidth and for resolution of conflicts, followed by instruction, administration, public access, and personal use. The proposed policy distributes control and access to departments and IET.
• The next steps involving the Council - Ono noted that his presentation to the AC4 marks the beginning of the campuswide informal review process. Ono is undertaking a wide distribution of the draft policy to receive as much campus feedback as possible. Ono stated that, once the informal review is complete, the policy will be submitted for formal review. Chair Plant asked the Council members to review the policy and provide individual comments to Bob Ono. Plant plans to revisit the policy at the next meeting to formulate AC4 recommendations.

Bob Ono, Campus Security Coordinator, reviewed two of the security issues the campus has faced in recent weeks.

• "Code Red" worm - Code Red hit the campus on July 17. To prepare for this attack, IET scanned the campus network and found 90 vulnerable servers. The system administrators for these servers were notified whenever they could be identified. Ono reported that we continue to see daily reports of infestation. It appears that there are machines in the campus residence halls that get infected when they start up. In those instances when it was impossible to locate or contact the machine's owner, the machines were disconnected from the campus network so they would not infect other machines. Ono indicated that "Code Red" further illustrates the need to increase awareness about security, both in the residence halls and to the general campus community.
• The "Sir-Cam" email virus - The Sir-Cam virus is a fast-spreading new worm first reported in mid-July that damaged many computers by deleting files and filling up the hard drives of infected computers. Once activated, the virus replicated itself to all email addresses in the computer's Microsoft Outlook address book. Some of the accounts infected by the virus did exceed their email quotas on campus. Ono indicated that IET is exploring alternatives to address viruses more efficiently, including a centralized approach (e.g., cleaning email viruses at the email server level) in addition to measures that users should take at the desktop level.

Council members commented that AOL had successfully blocked all email messages containing viruses. Ono replied that the campus must recognize University policy that prohibits looking at content as a common practice. Ono noted that IET would explore technologies that will make it possible to screen viruses without violating the policy.

Other questions addressed problems with hackers and the need to share information about security incidents. Ono replied that viruses and worms were only one type of vulnerability the campus faces. In addition, IET is investigating intrusion detection and setting up a coordinated effort to address incident response. A part of the incident response process will include an effort to capture more incident information and develop timely communications with the campus.

Vice Provost Bruno reported that IET is considering providing tools for departments to conduct their own security assessments. IET has performed a comprehensive security assessment for one campus department and may provide this as a service for other departments.