Source: My UM
Over 10,000 computer accessories and peripherals, 70,000 network access points, and innumerable electronic locks. These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the challenges of moving all the computers to the new campus.
As more and more buildings on the new campus are being handed over to UM, ICTO colleagues are checking the network signal strength and electronic locks from building to building. Currently there are 105 servers at ICTO which need to be moved onto the new campus. ICTO not only needs to assist individual users and labs of various faculties to move their computers, but it must also rebuild a campus network and infrastructure on the new campus within the shortest time possible, which is a huge challenge for ICTO, according to Fiona O Kit Hong, head of the Infrastructure and User Services Section of ICTO. “It’s been 30 years since the IT system was first established on the current campus, and it is very well-developed,” says Fiona. “Now we need to build a similar system on the new campus within one to two years, which involves a lot of work and requires meticulous planning.”
Take the servers for example. ICTO started making plans about how to move the servers as early as two years ago. Antony Si Tou Kuok Fan, acting head of the Academic Computing and Technology Services Section of ICTO, notes that it would take at least two to three days if they shut down the servers, move them to the new campus, and then restart them. So to avoid prolonged service interruption, ICTO has opted for server virtualisation, which means that all the data could be transferred to the new campus, and the whole process would take only three to four hours.
Perhaps personal computers and WiFi are of the greatest concern to UM members. According to the current plan, there will be about 3,800 wireless access points on the new campus, with about 1,000 more to be added every year. The staff’s personal computers will be moved to the new campus at the same time their offices move. Fiona discloses that ICTO has appointed colleagues to take care of the different buildings, and these colleagues will help UM staff to set up their personal computers.
ICTO tips
How to make sure important files don’t get lost during the move? Check out the following tips from ICTO.
1. Make sure you back up all important files in one of the following ways:
(1) Save a backup copy of important files at staffhomebackupfolder.
(2) Copy important files to an external hard drive or burn them to a DVD.
2. Place foam at the bottom and on the sides of the box before putting in the monitor and the system unit wrapped in bubble wrap, and separate the system unit from the monitor with foam, to prevent damage during the move.
3. Fill all voids with newspaper, bubble wrap or foam before packing to prevent shifting during the move.
4. Make sure to pack the power cord, VGA connector, networking cables, keyboard, mouse, and power strip along with the system unit and monitor. Upon arrival on the new campus, you only need to open the box and wait for ICTO colleagues to take care of the rest.
For detailed packaging instructions, please visit the new campus page.
Source: ICTO
