New Firewall, and Servers, and Devices, OH MY!

While the server rooms here at ILS may not be as large as a Google Data Center (click image to learn more), we still handle a great deal of very important, personal and necessary data.  The storage, access and maintenance of digital information in a public school is a unique challenge.  Many people think that we operate just like businesses or households, but it isn't true.  Everything from app purchasing to email retention has laws specific to educational settings.  So many digital systems are interconnected that even the smallest decision requires a collaborative approach. Maintaining infrastructure, mobile learning devices, and classroom peripherals is a cyclical process.  Technology is expensive and the lifespan of technology components is often 5 years or less.  Fiscal responsibility, long term decision making and flexibility are all key factors to technology purchasing.

This summer ILS is updating several key components of our district infrastructure.  These upgrades and replacements will help us ensure the maximum "up" time for our systems.  Throughout the month of July and August our staff (myself and our IT specialist) will be switching out the old, for the new.  There will be days where things don't work, work differently, and sometimes work perfect the first time!  Until new devices and components are powered up and placed online, it is difficult to foresee all possible issues and bugs.  I am confident that we will have things working properly by the students' first day.  

Here are some of the changes, upgrades and improvements coming to ILS this summer:

1. New Firewall
   1. This is a physical device that helps prevent unauthorized access to our computer network and everything connected to that network.  This device handles ALL incoming and outgoing internet traffic and runs 24/7.
2. New Servers
   1. We run several physical and virtual servers at ILS.  Some servers are in place to backup our main servers.  We have servers to run our network storage, devices, heating/cooling systems, security systems, keycard system, etc.  Physical servers require assembly, installation and programming.  Then we still have to move the information on the old server, to its replacement.
3. New Phone System
   1. ILS current digital phone system was installed in 2002.  Not only is it obsolete, it is expensive to maintain and becoming unstable.  We are moving to a system that allows us to continue using our digital phones and start the process of upgrading to the industry standard, ViOP.  Our phone extensions will remain the same, but you might hear a new voice proctoring our recording messeges.  
4. New Chromebooks
   1. ILS is expanding our 1:1 program in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades in the fall of 2016.  Students in those grades will receive an Asus Chromebook Flip, charger and case to use throughout the school year.  Information regarding the specifics of this program will be made available to parents as we get closer to the start of school.

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