COUNCIL ON ACADEMIC COMPUTING

DR. GEORGE E. KLINZING, CHAIR
MEETING SUMMARY
DECEMBER 3, 2001


The meeting convened at 2:08 p.m.
 

MINUTES

No changes were requested to the minutes of the November 15, 2001 meeting.

PPPoE DISCUSSION

George Mallick, Manager of Network Engineering, spoke to Council regarding use of Point to Point Protocal over Ethernet (PPPoE). PPPoE is the same protocol that is used over dialups modified to work over ethernet. The system has built-in security and can be used in public areas. Pitt is currently using PPPoE in the residence halls.

Residence hall users are routed to the Web server/DNS server to be authenticated. From there, the user is given an IP address and permitted to go outside the network. This protocol is an excellent tool for tracing security incidents.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF COMPUTING SERVICES & SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT -- JINX WALTON

Walton reported that the port inventory is still underway and should be complete within the next few weeks. She will deliver a short report on software licensing to Council sometime in January.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

Communications -- Cohn
Cohn reported that this subcommittee is developing a survey to look at diffusion of information through the University as it relates to information technology issues. Klinzing will work with this group on distribution of the survey.

Discussion ensued regarding University communications, blanket e-mails, and spam. It was suggested that an option to subscribe to University communications be placed on a Website; thereby permitting voluntary participation. It was also suggested that such a site could serve as a portal for members of the University community.

High Performance Network Applications Initiative -- Hoelzeman
This group is examing reviewers' comments from last year's competition to form criteria to be used in judging this year's applications. Klinzing requested that the subcommittee study the program announcement and make any necessary changes to the flyer.

NEW BUSINESS

In response to the Provost's charge to Council, Chandra and Pruhs were asked to work with a subcommittee from the Advisory Council on Instructional Excellence on faculty training.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.