29 Oct 2004:

1. General Development (GenDev) Labs
   1. Workstation Images

      We have been experiencing some problems with the new disk images created for the Dell 360s. This is due to the large number of undocumented applications and settings in the old images which did not carry over to the new, plus some omissions due to the complete redesign of the image creation process. We are patching the problems and enhancing the process as the quarter progresses.

   2. Key Server Change

      You may experience a problem opening some applications (e.g., Photoshop, Dreamweaver) that are under control of our software license manager, KeyServer. You would see an error message to the effect that you cannot contact the Key Server. Since we recently changed the server that hosts it and your profile may have recorded the old server name, it would be tricky for us to reset the name for you, so here are instructions on how you can do it:

      1. From the Start menu, follow this path to start KeyAccess:

         Start/Programs/KeyServer Client/KeyAccess

      2. In the text box labeled "Connection", enter:

         lm.insttech.washington.edu
         

      3. Click the "Logon" button

      4. Click OK to exit the informational window about successfully logging on.

      5. Exit the KeyAccess window.

      6. Start the previously-failing application... it should start.

   3. Easy-access USB Ports on Dell 360s in DOU110 and SCI108

      You no longer need to access the back of a computer to plug in USB devices or headphones in DOU110 and SCI108. The gray front cover labelled "Dell" can be opened from the bottom of the cover with a firm pull down and out. Under the cover are two USB 2.0 ports and one headphone jack. Please use these to avoid strain on the cables in the back of the computer.

      The open cover also should serve to remind you that you have something plugged into the computer that you need to remove before leaving the workstation.

   4. Printing from a Laptop Computer

      This is a popular request, which we have now documented (follow link above).

2. Repository Server Changes
   1. Single node cluster

      We are now running Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Server (RHEL AS), but are only running one node of the cluster as we configure the other. We expect to have both nodes running by 15 Nov 2004. This means that there will be some scheduled downtime between now and then.

   2. Tomcat Development Service

      We have previously announced the Tomcat Development Service.

   3. Changes to Ant Build for Tomcat

      Because we have upgraded to Tomcat 5 and prefer to install software in its default location, there are two changes you must make to any pre-Autumn 2004 tomcat project (in your application's project directory):

      • copy a new build.xml file

        cp $BUILD_HOME/build.xml .
        

      • modify your build.properties file

        Edit your build.properties file -- the line containing catalina.home value should be:

        catalina.home=/usr/java/jakarta-tomcat-5
        

3. Teaching and Research Labs (TARLs)
   1. Applied Distributed Computing (ADC) Lab

      Former lab assistant George Orriss is now maintaining the servers and workstations in this lab as he completes his Master's capstone project.

   2. Embedded Computing Systems (ECS) Lab

      Oscilloscopes are starting to appear in this lab, for eventual use in coursework, projects and research.

   3. Informatics and Artificial Intelligence (IAI) Lab

      Several applications were requested to be installed in this lab, and some fixes also need to be applied. Both should happen soon.

   4. Information Assurance and Networking (IAN) Lab

      Two servers were physically connected to their peripherals and to power in preparation for installation of the Linux Fedora Core 2 operating system by graduate student Gowri Allampalli-Nagaraj.

      Workstation images are being created on the removable hard drives to support TCSS430 coursework and demonstrations as well.

   5. Simulation Science (SS) Lab

      Student Sean Tierney has set up some networking equipment in preparation for expanding the Beowulf project.

   6. Infrastructure

      We have improved our software license manager (KeyServer) configuration and fixed a licensing problem with running Rational Rose.

      We continue to revise and correct various disk images, as well as organize and store them, as the quarter progresses.

4. Wireless in the Labs

   The Sputnik wireless system that we chose is very good, but it takes some getting used to. We recently figured out how to authenticate to INSTTECH using RADIUS. This was the last major hurdle to rolling out wireless.

   Consequently, we expect to have wireless available in all Institute labs by the end of November 2004. It won't be the same authentication process as the rest of the campus (including Pinkerton), but it will provide access to the network once you authenticate... look for our web portal when you try to access a web page.