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Oak faculty/staff e-mail servers will be unavailable Saturday, October 28, 2006, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. while a software update is performed. Users should connect to their alternate mail server on Aspen if using an IMAP client or the Notes client software. VCU Mail Anywhere users will be automatically redirected.
A momentary network disruption will take place due to VCU network upgrades being performed by Network Services staff. This disruption will affect a user's ability to access applications such as Blackboard, myVCU portal, and email. The service disruption could last as long as 30 minutes between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27. Please contact the VCU Help Desk at 828-2227 should you have any questions or experience problems beyond this time frame.
Microsoft released Internet Explorer 7 last week and Mozilla followed up with their latest release on Tuesday. IE7 can be downloaded from Microsoft's site and will be included in their Windows automatic monthly updates after November 1. User Services' Desktop Support group has found that IE7 does not play play nice with Banner but they do have a solution. Go to the Banner Information Center to check out the alert post.
Firefox 2 is available from Mozilla or by clicking on the "Check for Updates" menu item under the Help menu in previous versions of Firefox. If you have never used Firefox give it a spin. There are a number of plug-ins available to enhance functionality and change the look of the browser. That is just good fun waiting to happen. Psst...there are Mac and Linux versions too. Don't tell anyone though. Our secret.
Four additional computer companies have announced battery recall programs for certain models of notebook computers. The four companies are Lenovo (Formerly IBM), Fujitsu, Gateway and Sony. Owners of computers from these companies should visit their customer support sites to determine if their computer is affected by these recalls.
In an effort to enhance network security and allow for better network capacity planning Technology Services networking staff have begun a port security process that will limit the number of devices that can be attached to one network data port. The new VCUnet switch configuration restricts each network data port to a maximum of two MAC addresses per port (one for your ACES VoIP phone, and one for your PC). If the VCUnet switch detects more than two MAC addresses on one port the port is automatically shut down and network connectivity is lost. In order to make the port operational again all devices must be unplugged from the port for at least three minutes. The VCUnet switch will automatically re-enable the port. The new port security settings are required to maintain compliance with VCU security policy and are based on industry best practices.
The port security configuration is being implemented during the ACES project LAN remediation efforts. During recent remediation work a number of unauthorized hubs were disabled without warning because VCUnet staff did not know they were in circuit. This message is meant to alert you to the upcoming changes and provide time to make any necessary changes.
Please contact the Technology Services Help Desk at 828-2227 should you have any questions or problems resetting a network port. Additional network connections can be requested by making a Service Request here: http://www.ts.vcu.edu/faq/network/
Connectivity to the faculty e-mail server OAK has been restored. E-mail Services staff has corrected the directory issue.
The new digital IP phones are coming. Learn about two major projects affecting the VCU data network. The ePhones@VCU project presentation and the wireless network presentation each provide a brief overview of the selected solutions, implementation schedules, and potential benefits to the University. Please join Bill Jones and Keith Deane from VCUnet, Technology Services on Friday, October 27, 12pm-1pm in the Student Commons Forum Room as they update us on these projects. To register for the seminar, go to the VCU Training at http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/training/it/. For more information on this session and other training opportunities, contact Lucy Halunko at http://lhalunko@vcu.edu
Cedar will be unavailable Sunday, October 22, 2006, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. while a software update is performed. This will affect outbound mail from IMAP clients. Outbound mail may be sent via VCU Mail Anywhere using Internet Explorer or Firefox browsers or via the Notes client software during this time.
VRAM 1 - VRAM 6 student e-mail servers will be unavailable Sunday, October 22, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. while a software update is performed. Connection to the alternate VRAM1C - VRAM6C servers will be available for IMAP clients, access via an internet browser will occur automatically.
Aspen faculty/staff e-mail servers will be unavailable Sunday, October 22, 2006, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. while a software update is performed. Users should connect to their alternate mail server on Oak if using an IMAP client or the Notes client software. VCU Mail Anywhere users will be automatically redirected.
-- it turns out that Dell ships the laptops with the resolution set to 120 dpi instead of the usual 96 dpi. Internet Explorer compensates by scaling the text and images. This makes the page look odd and sometimes breaks the layout. Firefox and other browser have no similar problem.
E-mail services is aware of and working on intermittent delays and outages currently being experienced on the Aspen and Oak Faculty/Staff mail servers.