Striker

Engr. Ariel Roy Reyes is the currently network specialist in the university. We prepare list of question to be answer by Sir Reyes. Supposed to be the interview where conducted last week but due to the some important matter it was postponed. So, we decided to pass it via email. Good to know Sir Reyes response and answer the question given to him.

First question was to explain what are the components involved in the system(s) in the university in hardware, software, technology, etc. According to Sir Reyes, I am not in the right position to discuss the details of the software components used as there are other assigned personnel for such job. However, talking about hardware component and technology used, basically I, assigned as the network administrator, is entrusted to maintain our different servers to run 24/7. Currently, we have our Web Server hosted here in our University in our HP ProLiant ML350 Server. Its an old but stable server set-up here in our Networks Office and has been active since Engr. Val A. Quimno , not yet a dean, was appointed as the Network Administrator. The said server has the following specification:

• Intel Xeon 3.0 GHz, 3.2 GHz, or 3.4 GHz processors (dual processor capability) with 1MB level 2 cache standard. Processors include support for Hyper-Threading and Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T)
• Intel® E7520 chipset
• 800-MHz Front Side Bus
• Integrated Dual Channel Ultra320 SCSI Adapter
• Smart Array 641 Controller (standard in Array Models only)
• NC7761 PCI Gigabit NIC (embedded)
• Up to 1 GB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM with Advanced ECC capabilities (Expandable to 8 GB)
• Six expansion slots: one 64-bit/133-MHz PCI-X, two 64-bit/100-MHz PCI-X, one 64-bit/66-MHz PCI-X, one x4 PCI-Express, and one x8 PCI-Express
• New HP Power Regulator for ProLiant delivering server level, policy based power management with industry leading energy efficiency and savings on system power and cooling costs
• Three USB ports: 1 front, 1 internal, 1 rear
• Support for Ultra320 SCSI hard drives (six hot plug or four non-hot plug drives supported standard, model dependent)
• Internalstorage capacity of up to 1.8TB; 2.4TB with optional 2-bay hot plug SCSI drive
• 725W Hot-Plug Power Supply (standard, most models); optional 725W Hot-Pluggable Redundant Power Supply (1+1) available. Non hot plug SCSI models include a 460W non-hot plug power supply.
• Tool-free chassis entry and component access
• Support for ROM based setup utility (RBSU) and redundant ROM
• Systems Insight Manager, SmartStart, and Automatic Server Recovery 2 (ASR-2) included
• Protected by HP Services and a worldwide network of resellers and service providers. Three-year Next Business Day, on-site limited global warranty. Certain restrictions and exclusions apply. Pre-Failure Notification on processors, memory, and SCSI hard drives.

Aside from it, our mail server running under Compaq Proliant ML330 Server, our oldest server, is also hosted here in our Networks Office. Together with other Servers, such as Proxy and Enrollment Servers, both proxy and our enrollment servers are running in a microcomputer/personal computers but with higher specifications to act as servers.

Second question was to explain how do these communicate with one another (topology, network connectivity, protocols, etc.) – may include data flow/ UML diagrams to better explain. According to Sir Reyes, “All Servers are connected in a shared medium grouped as one subnetwork. In general, our network follows the extended star topology which is connected to a DUAL WAN Router that serves as the load balancer between our two Internet Service Providers. All other workstations are grouped into different subnetworks as in star topology branching out from our servers subnetwork as in extended star topology. At present, we are making use of class C IP Address for private IP address assignments. Other workstations IP assignments are configured statically (example: laboratories) while others are Dynamic (example: offices). All workstations are connected via our proxy servers that do some basic filtering/firewall to control users access to the internet aside from router filtering/firewall management. So, whenever any workstation has to connect to the internet, it has to pass through software and hardware based firewall.”

Third question was to explain what are the processes involved in the communication with each system to other systems. According to Sir Reyes,”As mentioned above, in item 3, all workstations are connected via a proxy server. It means that whenever a workstation is turned on, it requests for an IP address from the proxy server (for dynamically configured IP address) and connect to the network after IP address is acquired. As connection is established, each system can now communicate and share resources within the same subnetwork and to server following the concepts discuss in your Computer Network Class.”

Fourth question was to explain how do you go along with the maintenance of the system. According to Sir Reyes,” Basically, our servers are expected to be in good condition since it is required to be up 24/7. Daily, during my vacant period, monitoring on the servers are observed that includes checking logs, checking hardware performance such as CPU health, etc. If problems are observed, remedies are then and then applied. Once in a week, regular overall checkup is observed as preventive maintenance to ensure not to experience longer downtime if possible.”

Fifth question was to explain does the system follow a specific standard. According to Sir Reyes, “As I was appointed as the Network Administrator, everything was already in place except for some minor changes. Basically, different networking standards was already observed such as cabling standards, TIA/EIA 568A-B, different IEEE standards as discussed in your Computer Networks Subject, etc.”

Sixth question was to explain how is the security of the system if are there any vulnerabilities, risk, corresponding mitigation techniques, access control. According to Sir Reyes,” As I have mentioned, we have implemented both software and hardware based filtering/firewall. Basically, Risks or vulnerabilities and different mitigation techniques were considered to increase security in our network. Aside from filtering/firewall, constant monitoring on networks activity also increases the security of the system.”

Last question was to explain if are there any interference during what (most) times do these occur and explain their effects especially with regards to the business of the university. According to Sir Reyes,” Major Interferences are normally encountered as an effect of unforeseen and beyond our control events such as black outs, and the like. The said interference would of course affect University’s day-to-day businesses for obviously this will paralyze all our activities that rely on electricity and further this might cause damage on our network devices, etc. that may later be the reason for longer downtime. Problems encountered by our providers such as connection to the National/International Gateway also affect University’s business such as correlating to University’s Business Partners outside and within the country.”

The general category of network specialist includes individuals who do a lot of different work with various computer networking systems.

Given the chance to redesign the existing setup, enumerate and discuss your keypoints for an effective and efficient network environment ideal for the university. Before hearing the answer of Sir Reyes I would say yes but now after hearing his answer I would say no. Even Sir Reyes has not redesigned the previous network environment and he just improved and maintained it instead. I think the current network environment is already working well with the university’s functions and only some function needs development and enhancements on the performance to have a quality

Relative to your answer in Assignment 1 .... what's your take on the design of the enrollment system?

Design of the Enrollment System

Relating my answer in assignment 1, with observation and to the new enrollment system implemented this semester are not so organized because of long line in the registrar and cashier and sometimes cause of delay of student to enroll on that day.

With this, the main purpose in design of the enrollment is to communicate effectively to the viewers of the system. The communication effectiveness is measured by the speed, accuracy and ease with which the information content can be easily to understand. These provide practical guidance for both designers and users because the designer is just communicating to the user telling him where to go.

Analyzing the design of the enrollment system would lessen the delay of the student.

Be Specific. First question, where part of the design cause the delay of the student, then on that part we may improved well or be specific so that the user can easily get it.

Consistency. A consistent approach to layout of the enrollment system allows the user can quickly understand and confidently predict the location of information controls across the enrollment system.

All these actions must properly well-planned to come up with a better result that would satisfy the needs of the university.