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CNS Newsletter issue:1, Spring 2008/2009 February, 28 2009 Computing and Networking Services (CNS) Department has been trying to keep Dhofar University community updated on the progress of the Major Upgrades of the department. We are glad to inform our users that we continue to achieve fine progress in all of the upgrade areas, which include ADSL internet upgrade, Antivirus Solution and the new coverage of the Wireless network at Dhofar University and its Internet connection, details are as follows: 1- ADSL Internet Upgrade (February 2009) In an effort to increase internet availability, CNS department has upgraded one of the 2 parallel ADSL lines speed 4Mbps downstream to 16Mbps downstream(4 times the existing speed). This ADSL internet line will be able to better serve the increasing number of computers every semester. To benefit from the upgraded speed, all you have to do is to make sure that you use proxy address: 172.16.1.9 port: 8080. The following instructions are valid for Internet Explorer version 6.0 and 7.0 To review your proxy server settings with Internet Explorer, open the browser then:
Some extra configuration for the Leased line (2Mbps) was made to improve the speed of the SMTP/POP3 (Sending/Receiving) traffic. You can test the improvement while receiving a large mail using Microsoft Outlook Express. Our plan was not only to upgrade the speed of the University's Internet connection, but also to provide service continuity to make sure our campus network always remain connected to the Internet, in case one of the local Internet connections is disrupted. CNS is working to perform a successful failover scenario (automatic action without user interaction), demonstrating service continuity when either Internet connection is lost. The upgrade of DU Internet connection to provide redundancy and failover is a major challenge, and an important step in achieving CNS's strategic goal of ensuring all IT services are redundant and highly available for the University community. 2- Enterprise Total Space Security Antivirus Solution (February/March 2009) We’ve already finished implementing the Antivirus software for all computers in the 25 Labs, and later on next week we will create an action plan for implementing and deploying the software for all computers at offices. This software contains protection for workstations / smart phones / file servers / mail servers / Internet gateways / Anti-Spam / Mobile security. Kaspersky Total Space Security provides integrated protection for corporate networks of any size or level of complexity from all types of contemporary Internet threats. Kaspersky Total Space Security exercises control over all incoming and outgoing data including email, web traffic and all network interactions. The product comprises components for the protection of workstations and mobile devices, ensuring users secure and fast access to DU information, resources and the Internet, as well as secure communications via email. Product Highlights
Additional Features
3- New coverage of the Wireless network at DU CNS department has been offering the wireless internet access services to students and staff since Fall 2006/2007. Before then, it used to cover the College of Arts and Applied Sciences, the College of Commerce and Business Administration and the College of Engineering. Nowadays the service is offered in the Foundation Program and the Vice Chancellor’s Office building as well as special parts of the library for academic usage only (academic libraries and DU website/email). The wireless service is covering the main halls in each of these colleges/departments using heavy-duty wireless access-points with range boosting capabilities. The average speed of the service is up to 1.5 Mbps, in integration with dedicated ADSL proxy server with 16Mbps downstream speed with unlimited traffic plan recently implemented in February 2009, up till now more than 80 students have subscribed to the service. How to apply for Wireless Service: The procedures that used to get the service up and running on the student's laptops is fairly easy. They have to fill the Wireless Service Form asking for their names, IDs, mobile number and email. Students can simply get this form from the CNS coordinator Ms. Ibtisam at Ext. 234 located in CAAS building or any CNS staff. The network specialist will configure their laptops and make sure they have automatic access to the internet across Dhofar University Campus using Wireless Service capability. The service is secured properly by encryption protocols; moreover, students should have Antivirus software preinstalled on their machines to initiate the procedure. Future plan for extending the wireless coverage in our temporary premises to wrap all of the Library rooms is on their way to be implemented, as well as authentication and authorization plans to add security to the service. This service is scalable to cover more departments/buildings for future demands. Our objective is to get the latest technology as part of our roadmap in securing Dhofar University (DU) network from the Viruses & Worms, and reducing network downtime by improving the level of security, service, reliability, availability and resilience within the network. The target of CNS management is to improve DU user satisfaction by introducing more effective services managed across, and significantly reduce cost of our business continuity planning by enabling security and redundancy. Our new on-going developments for the Spring 2008/2009 will be taking place as follows:
If you have any questions about the above development, please contact me directly at Ext 666, or by Email: cnsdirector@du.edu.om
Best regards,
Mohammad Dimachkieh CNS Director |
