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Дата изменения: Tue May 18 17:48:07 2004
Дата индексирования: Tue Oct 2 05:00:52 2012
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Technical Equipment

Martin Murphy and Geoff Coxhead implemented a number of important changes and upgrades to the Observatory's technical equipment during 2003, a few of which are summarized below.

• Installation of a new main server to replace the Alpha-based system. This was completed with much less down-time than originally expected and with relatively few glitches from the users' perspective. The new system is based on the relatively inexpensive PC architecture and offers a much more favourable price/performance ratio than the old system. The change was originally planned to coincide with the Observatory's connection to the NIMAN but that has been delayed by approximately 1-2 years.

• Installation of improved data storage and backup systems. All Observatory staff are now almost entirely dependent on their individual PC-based desktop workstations, but their files must continue to be securely backed up on a regular basis. The old tape technology did not have the capacity or speed to back up the data stored on all the Observatory PCs, so this has now been superseded by a new disk-based backup system. Staff can access these backups directly to recover accidentally deleted files without the intervention of the system administrator. Locating the new system outside the main Observatory building provides added security in the event of a catastrophe affecting the whole building.

• Installation of new SPAM filtering software. This is able to diagnose approximately one third of incoming e-mails as SPAM. It marks them as such, and staff have the option to configure their e-mail interface to delete such files automatically or to file the e-mails, as appropriate. A web based e-mail interface has also been installed to enable staff to access e-mail more easily when off-site (home or elsewhere), and all staff have the ability to access their e-mail remotely, for example when working abroad.

• Installation of an `800.11g' (54Mbps) standard wireless network. This will eliminate the danger of trailing wires when laptops are connected to the network and will facilitate the use of telescopes in the Observatory grounds. Usage of this system will increase when the refurbished historic telescopes become operational, and it is expected to be the main communication mode in the new Library, Archive and Historic Scientific Instruments building.