Library WIFI Issue - ITS Investigating

#TellITS - Several users have reported issues with Library WIFI.  ITS STARs have been dispatched to the library to investigate.  We will provide an update shortly.

UPDATE:  9:20PM
Temporary fix applied in Library by ITS STARs.  JASPERNET is the preferred network, however, if you cannot see JASPERNET (your device may not support 5GHz), you can connect to JASPERNET-legacy.  ITS will investigate further in the AM to work towards a permanent solution.

JasperNet WIFI Changes - Added Capacity, Apple Fix, 2016 Planning

ITS has applied a number of updates to JasperNet WIFI this morning to add additional capacity in residence halls including Horan, apply a permanent fix to a known issue previously affecting Apple OSX devices, and implement a configuration to prepare for the next generation of WIFI deployments (802.11ac).

After this mornings update, there are now 3 WIFI networks available to faculty and students:

JASPERNET - the preferred high-performance WIFI network providing access to both 5GHz (802.11n & 802.11a) and 2.4GHz (802.11n & 802.11g) devices.  JASPERNET is available in all campus locations.  The 2.4GHz frequency range will be removed over the winter break in preparation for future upgrades (in locations that support 5GHz).

JASPERNET5 - this temporary network #High5 was deployed in Horan Hall to help mitigate WIFI performance issues reported during the fall semester.  JASPERNET5 will be removed over the winter break.

JASPERNET-legacy - this NEW network has been deployed across campus to provide connectivity to legacy devices that are not equipped with WIFI hardware that cannot connect to 5GHz networks.  This network will operate solely on the 2.4GHz frequency range and support 802.11n and 802.11g devices.


These changes have been made as a reaction to the increasingly crowded 2.4GHz spectrum as well as preparing for the next-generation of 802.11ac WIFI devices that will operate on the less-crowded and better-performing 5GHz spectrum.  Over time, we expect to see devices that can currently only connect to the 2.4GHz spectrum being replaced by newer devices that support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WIFI with a preference for the higher-performing 5GHz WIFI spectrum.  Be on the lookout for an update at the end of the semester.

Please report any issues to ITS #TellITS by emailing its@manhattan.edu or calling x7973.  You can send your speedtest results to @MC_ITS on Twitter.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Dell Certificate Blunder

ITS is aware of the recent Dell certificate blunder.  Dell's official solution is already running as a background process on all impacted Dell computers since November 24th.

Please remember to always practice safe web surfing.  This means avoiding untrustworthy websites, never download & execute random programs, know who uses your computer, etc.

As always contact ITS, its@manhattan.edu, with your IT concerns.

Overlook WIFI Maintenance

ITS will be applying software updates to Overlook WIFI this AM to resolve a configuration issue affecting the wired ports on the side of the personal hotspots installed in each room.  We do not expect the maintenance to cause any interruptions in service.  As a result of the update, the wired ports labelled "1-3" on the side the of the personal hotspot device should provide 100Mbps connectivity to connected devices.  Please note that the "Passthrough Port" does NOT provide connectivity.  More information on the personal hotspot device installed in each Overlook residence can be found here:

https://manhattan.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/KB/ArticleDet?ID=8610

RESOLVED - Licensing issue with AspenTech Products (HYSYS)

Update:

The licensing issue with AspenTech products has been resolved. The AspenTech products that were functioning properly before Saturday, November 21st, 2015 are now functioning properly again. Specifically, AspenTech products are usable in the RLC 102 and OMAL 206 computer labs.

A second issue with AspenTech products crashing on startup in RLC 103 is not yet resolved, but it will be resolved when the lab is reimaged. The installation is corrupt and, therefore, resolving the licensing issue did not prevent the program from crashing on startup.

If there are other labs besides RLC 102 and OMAL 206 that were functioning properly before Saturday, November 21st, 2015, but are not functioning properly at this time, please notify its@manhattan.edu.

Original post:

There is a licensing issue with AspenTech products. The programs will not function until the issue is resolved. We are working diligently to fix the issue as soon as possible. This blog post will be updated when the issue has been resolved.

Network Maintenance - Wednesday November 25th 5:00-7:00AM

ITS will be performing network maintenance on Wednesday November 25th from 5:00-7:00AM.  As a result, a number of JasperNet services - as well as access to off-campus services - will be offline for a portion of the maintenance window.

UPDATE:
7:20 AM - Network services online
7:40 AM - IP Phone service online
7:40 AM - Horan Hall online
7:45AM - Lee Hall online

System Maintenance - JasperNet SSO 10PM Wednesday

ITS will be performing a system update to the JasperNet SSO system tonight from 10:00-10:30PM.  During this time, authentication (login) to some JasperNet services may be interrupted for a brief period - including self-service.  Users already connected to JasperNet services will be unaffected.

Update:  Maintenance completed.  Additional steps planned for future date,

JasperNet Bandwidth Upgraded to 10Gigabits

Students and Faculty now have access to virtually unlimited bandwidth when connected to JasperNet.  An upgrade to our Internet connection to 10 Gigabits was completed on 11/18 - which represents a 10x increase from the beginning of the semester.

ITS has seen an unprecedented increase in the amount of traffic on JasperNet over the past 6 months.  Students and Faculty are accessing more online content including a significant increase in HD video.  Providing quality connectivity to these resources is a top priority, and with this upgrade, we now have the capacity for students and faculty to consume a virtually unlimited amount of content.

JasperNet Bandwidth Upgrade - Maintenance Wednesday 6:00-6:30AM

ITS will be performing a bandwidth upgrade to JasperNet on Wednesday 11/18 at 6:00AM.  During this time, we expect a brief period where access to off-campus network services will be unavailable.   The planned upgrade is the 2nd and final phase of the bandwidth upgrade performed on 10/1:
http://itsblog.manhattan.edu/2015/10/jaspernet-receives-bandwidth-upgrade.html


After the upgrade, JasperNet will support total bandwidth capacity of 10Gbps - an increase from 2Gbps since October 1st (and 1Gbps since the beginning of the semester).

UPDATE 6:11AM - Maintenance completed with no downtime.

Network Maintenance - Friday 11/13 5:30-6:30AM

ITS will be performing network maintenance with our Internet Service Provider (ISP) from 5:30-6:30AM Friday 11/13.  During this time, there will periods of network interruption between campus and Internet services.

UPDATE:  Maintenance completed.  Actual downtime 6:07AM-6:50AM.

Updates in Horan providing Significant Improvement in WIFI

#high5 #TellITS - Recent updates to Horan WIFI are providing residents with better access to JasperNet.  Since the beginning of the semester, ITS has been working with students to address concerns with JasperNet WIFI in Horan Hall.  The addition of dedicated access points to the 17 10-man suites as well as the deployment of a separate WIFI band (5GHz) has enabled much better JasperNet connectivity for residents of Horan.

ITS needs your feedback while we continue to optimize of Horan WIFI configuration.  During this time, we have created a TEMPORARY WIFI network named JASPERNET5 (which identified the 5GHz 802.11 WIFI band).  Residents of Horan who wish to test the new configuration should connect to JASPERNET5.  We ask that residents connecting to JASPERNET5 provide feedback by tweeting speed test results to @MC_ITS  You can also provide feedback on the #TellITS form here:
http://www.manhattan.edu/tellits

Hey Horan - Gimme a #High5

#TellITS - As part of ITS's efforts to enhance WIFI in Horan Hall,
we have implemented a temporary network called JASPERNET5.  The new JASPERNET5 network operates on the 802.11n 5GHz band which is not prone to the same level of interference that is ordinarily present on the 802.11n 2.4GHz band.  On this higher frequency 5GHz band, there is more capacity (more channels) resulting in what we hope to be a better WIFI experience for students in Horan.

Additionally, work is already underway to install 17 NEW hotspots in all of the 10-man suites in Horan - resulting in better coverage and more capacity for WIFI.  You may spot contractors installing these devices early this week - with expected completion Wednesday or Thursday.

The combination of these 2 efforts are already showing vast improvements is our testing.  We want to hear from you!! #TellITS

Tweet the results of your speed tests on JASPERNET5 to @MC_ITS on Twitter with the hashtag #high5

Once we have confirmed that the updated Horan WIFI is working well, we will transition to a more permanent solution.  Please note that not all devices are capable of connecting to WIFI at 5GHz and should continue to operate on JASPERNET (at 2.4GHz).

Computer Lab Software Request Deadline for the Spring 2016 Semester is Friday November 13

If you would like to Upgrade a Software already installed in the computer labs or if you would like to install a new software in the computer labs on campus, please fill out the Jaspernet Software Request form. The Jaspernet Software Request form can be found here.

Note that fully completed forms are required for any change to the labs, even for free software.  All software media and licenses are also required by the due date.

Requests should be submitted by Friday November 13th.  Software for forms submitted after the deadline may not be installed in the labs for the Spring 2016 semester. This is because we need time to install, test and deploy the software before classes start.

Improvements are coming to the campus-wide wifi network

ITS will be improving campus-wide Wifi service throughout the semester.

We are aware of improvements that the Manhattan College community needs urgently. We receive frustrated complaints about inadequate coverage in various parts of the campus. We know how this seriously hampers your work at Manhattan College, and we take it seriously. One way we are addressing this is by actively working to recruit a new employee to work in the Networking group. This new person would plan and build the network as needed. We have posted the job opening on the Manhattan College Job Openings page.

Wifi coverage has increased sharply in recent years. While frustration is high, it is also worth pointing out that it's now better than ever. That's not enough for some of us who are in various parts of the campus, particularly some dormitory areas, so we plan to improve those as soon as possible.

Please continue to report problems and coverage dead spots. Please be as detailed as you can be, for instance, include the sites you try to reach, where you are when you try, and what time of day the problem happens. We welcome suggestions, and this includes areas which you feel need most improvement. Call 718-862-7973 or email its@manhattan.edu. Also follow us on Twitter @MC_ITS for announcements and updates.

Online Registration Improvements

ITS had received reports from students on Monday 11/2 that online registration for Spring 2016 operated slower than expected.  ITS has confirmed that the self-service system had experienced higher-than-expected load which likely resulted in students experiencing longer-than-expected delays when attempting to register for classes at 7AM on Monday.

ITS immediately reviewed the configuration of the self-service system on Monday 11/2 after the 7AM rush.  Since the system had been upgraded over the summer, we identified a few new configuration settings to be optimized before the next online registration (for Juniors) on Wednesday 11/4.  The new configuration was completed prior to Wednesday and ITS added additional monitoring of the self-service system during Wednesday's 7AM rush.

The chart on this page shows the number of online registrations over time for the Monday 11/2 (BLUE) and Wednesday 11/4 (RED) sessions.  As you can see, the Wednesday (RED) session for Juniors shows a significantly higher number of registrations completed as soon as registration opens at 7AM - a significant improvement over the same period on Monday 11/2 (BLUE).

Despite experiencing minor delays on Monday, over 1000 students successfully registered for classes.  On Wednesday, approximately 550 students completed registration.