AVP

Word from Computing

The mission of the American University in Cairo (AUC) is to provide high quality educational opportunities to students from all segments of Egyptian society and from other countries, and to contribute to Egypt's cultural and intellectual life. Emphasis is placed on excellence in teaching as well as on research, creative work, and faculty members' intellectual contributions to their disciplines. Outstanding administrative, professional and support staff and leading edge instructional technology are also central to the pursuit of the University's aims.

Information technology has been used in AUC's teaching, learning and administration activities since the early 1970s, during the era of third generation computers. However, serious utilization and adoption of IT in everyday operations in the administrative areas began in the mid-1980s with the automation of student and alumni records management and the processing of financial and accounting transactions, and some successful computing technology projects begun in the academic area.

By the1990s the University was committed to becoming a regional leader in the use of information communications technology (ICT). AUC entered a new era by adopting ICT use as an integral part of its library, learning, teaching and administrative processes.

In 1991 a central computing organization was established, presided over by an Associate Vice President (AVP) for Computing, and three IT organizations: Administrative Computing Services (AdCS), Academic Computing Services (ACS) and Applications Computing Services (ACA). Each of these had existed since the mid-eighties under different names and under different organizational structures.

Following the era of ubiquity of PC's and networking, AUC's academic programs and administrative processes became more and more technology-dependant and ICT was considered the differentiating factor that enabled AUC to survive within the region's competitive education market. Two of the main strategies in the University's ICT plan were the following:

Establish Resilient Campus Data Network
Efforts to wire the University campus through data network infrastructure began through the development of the first three-year Network Strategic Plan in early 1991. A fiber optic (FO) backbone with ring topology was established by 1991 year-end to bind together various geographically dispersed campus sites in the downtown area.

An embryo campus bridged network based on thin/thick wiring network with FDDI ring backbone topology was duly designed and implemented by 1992, connecting all the University campus sites. The network featured 300 terminal server-based ports accessible from offices, the library and a few public access labs. Also in 1992 AUC was linked to the international academic networks EARN/BITNET through the Egyptian Higher Council for Universities via 28.8 kbps analog link. Burgeoning e-mail services were introduced shortly after, based on VMS MAIL system. Access to the email was granted through a special email lab equipped with the necessary terminals

By 1993 remote access to email and AdCS services were introduced via six analog telephone lines. By the end of 1994 the second three-year Strategic Plan for network development was completed following the appointment of a new AVP for Computing in mid 1994.

In 1994, the AUC-ACS web site, the first web site in the University, was developed and the remote access service was increased to eleven lines. The Computing area was reorganized in 1995 to feature three organizational units under the AVP; the units were renamed AdCS, ACS and University Network Services (UNS). Following the decision to build a new multi-story building in the Falaki campus, planning for the development of the Academic Center 1 network infrastructure was completed in 1996. The remote access service was subsequently increased to 45 analog lines in 1995.

In early 1996 the planning and design of a new ATM based network for the AUC was initiated. The plan stipulated the conversion of the existing backbone from ring topology to fully meshed backbone (networked) topology and the flat-bridged network architecture was replaced by hierarchically structured ATM backbone/Fast Ethernet with CAT 5 cabling infrastructure covering all the University building offices, labs and classrooms.

By 1997 the remote access service was increased to 90 digital lines in addition to the already existing 45 analog lines. Connectivity to the Internet through digital leased lines linked directly to MCI backbone in NY was also completed with 512 kbps bandwidth increased to 1MB by the end of the year. A university-wide Computing Planning and Development Committee (CPDC) chaired by the Associate Vice President for Computing was established for strategic planning, coordination and integration of IT initiatives at AUC.

By the 1997-98 academic year the Computer and Connectivity Availability index for faculty and staff was raised to 1:1 and the Computer Availability index to student population was raised to 1:8. Web-enabled email services were implemented by fall 1998 that provided access to email services from anywhere.

The implementation of the new network for all buildings (offices, classrooms and labs) in the various campus sites and the dismantling of the old thin/thick, FDDI flat-bridged network were completed by fall 1998. The total number of switched ports in the network totaled 2400 10/100 Mbps to the desktop. A three-level security rings system was implemented to shield against network attacks. By the end of the year remote access service was also increased to 300 lines.

The third three-year network strategic plan was developed in early 2000. A videoconference pilot infrastructure using both ISDN connectivity and internet-based video conferencing connectivity (H.320 and H.323 protocols) was implemented. CAT 5 wiring infrastructure for the Falaki Academic Center 1 was implemented during 2000. The Falaki Academic Center 1 network, featuring additional 1200 switched 10/100 Mbps ports, was designed and implemented. The Academic Center 1 network was integrated and operated within the campus-wide network by January 2001. The grown network featured 3600 10/100 Mbps switched ports to the desktop. The Internet connectivity was increased to 6 Mbps download/4 Mbps upload.

In 1999-2000 independent consultants evaluated the ICT infrastructure and it was concluded that AUC ranks in the top third of US education institutions of comparable size in the use of ICT in education. On the recommendation of the consulting report, the President formed the Information Systems Council, chaired by the Provost. The Council considers all policy issues pertaining to the organization and delivery of ICT initiatives including computing, networks, telecommunications, library, and media services.

The fall of 2001 included a number of significant activities. One of them was the completion of the integration and operation of the University Dorm and faculty housing in the campus-wide network, which added 400 10/100 Mbps switched ports to the desktop to the campus network. Another was that AUC became the first African/Regional member of the ViNet IP videoconferencing network. Other achievements include
" Voice over IP (VOIP) pilot implementation plan was formulated
" Wireless hubs have been installed in some premises to enable wireless mobile communication
" Internet connectivity was increased to 10 Mbps (up/download) digital links
" The Network Security Plan was finalized and intrusion detection and vulnerability testing procedures were instituted through the IT security office
" The central email virus protection/scanning system was implemented
" The network plan for the Gigabit backbone conversion as well as the migration plan from VMS-based email system to either the Exchange or Lotus notes systems were developed, and feasibility studies are underway with the collaboration of Gartner Group

Short-term future activities include
" Implementation of the Gigabit network architecture in Q3/2002
" Operation of a pilot building with VOIP telecommunication in Q3/2002
" Completion of the feasibility studies for the migration to new email architecture Q1/2002
" Conducting professional development program for the computing professionals in preparation for the email services migration Q1 and Q2/2002
" Implementation of the email services migration plan Q3/2002 in parallel with the current operational systems
" Incremental implementation of VOIP over the span of one year

Respond to Administrative Systems Challenges

By early 1990 three on-line administrative systems were providing automated administrative operation: Student Information Systems (SIS), the Finance and Accounting system (CUFS) and the Fund and Alumni system (FUNDAL). Acquisition and implementation of the fourth major administrative system, the Human Resources Management System (HRS) was planned and executed by 1992. By 1995 the AdCS server's infrastructure was upgraded through the use of 3 servers cluster to improve availability and reliability of the systems operation.

In 1999 the first road map to feature integration and client/server architecture for upgrading the administrative information systems was developed. The Y2K compliance conversion plan for all the university computing infrastructure and resources was also developed and conversion of all university administrative systems to Y2K compliant versions were completed by December. In 2000 the first five-year Administrative Information Systems Strategic plan was developed, and the web for student front-end system was implemented, operated and integrated with the SISPLUS 2000 student records management system. Through this implementation all student-related activities were web-enabled, except the payment of fees.

In 2000-01 the Administrative Systems Disaster Recovery Plan was developed through the campus-wide security office and instituted within the AVP office. The first Storage Area Network (SAN) pilot implementation for the Administrative Systems was initiated to serve increasing demands on storage availability and virtualization of storage to gain reliability, scalability and manageability of data storage resources.

For more information about the network services refer to the UNS web site http://unsweb.aucegypt.edu and for video conference services at http://videoconf.aucegypt.edu

Dr. S. El Akabawi

Associate V.P. for Computing



	Word from Computing The mission of the American University in Cairo (AUC) is to provide high quality educational opportunities to students from all segments of Egyptian society and from other countries, and to contribute to Egypt's cultural and intellectual life. Emphasis is placed on excellence in teaching as well as on research, creative work, and faculty members' intellectual contributions to their disciplines. Outstanding administrative, professional and support staff and leading edge instructional technology are also central to the pursuit of the University's aims. Information technology has been used in AUC's teaching, learning and administration activities since the early 1970s, during the era of third generation computers. However, serious utilization and adoption of IT in everyday operations in the administrative areas began in the mid-1980s with the automation of student and alumni records management and the processing of financial and accounting transactions, and some successful computing technology projects begun in the academic area. By the1990s the University was committed to becoming a regional leader in the use of information communications technology (ICT). AUC entered a new era by adopting ICT use as an integral part of its library, learning, teaching and administrative processes. In 1991 a central computing organization was established, presided over by an Associate Vice President (AVP) for Computing, and three IT organizations: Administrative Computing Services (AdCS), Academic Computing Services (ACS) and Applications Computing Services (ACA). Each of these had existed since the mid-eighties under different names and under different organizational structures. Following the era of ubiquity of PC's and networking, AUC's academic programs and administrative processes became more and more technology-dependant and ICT was considered the differentiating factor that enabled AUC to survive within the region's competitive education market. Two of the main strategies in the University's ICT plan were the following: Establish Resilient Campus Data Network Efforts to wire the University campus through data network infrastructure began through the development of the first three-year Network Strategic Plan in early 1991. A fiber optic (FO) backbone with ring topology was established by 1991 year-end to bind together various geographically dispersed campus sites in the downtown area. An embryo campus bridged network based on thin/thick wiring network with FDDI ring backbone topology was duly designed and implemented by 1992, connecting all the University campus sites. The network featured 300 terminal server-based ports accessible from offices, the library and a few public access labs. Also in 1992 AUC was linked to the international academic networks EARN/BITNET through the Egyptian Higher Council for Universities via 28.8 kbps analog link. Burgeoning e-mail services were introduced shortly after, based on VMS MAIL system. Access to the email was granted through a special email lab equipped with the necessary terminals By 1993 remote access to email and AdCS services were introduced via six analog telephone lines. By the end of 1994 the second three-year Strategic Plan for network development was completed following the appointment of a new AVP for Computing in mid 1994. In 1994, the AUC-ACS web site, the first web site in the University, was developed and the remote access service was increased to eleven lines. The Computing area was reorganized in 1995 to feature three organizational units under the AVP; the units were renamed AdCS, ACS and University Network Services (UNS). Following the decision to build a new multi-story building in the Falaki campus, planning for the development of the Academic Center 1 network infrastructure was completed in 1996. The remote access service was subsequently increased to 45 analog lines in 1995. In early 1996 the planning and design of a new ATM based network for the AUC was initiated. The plan stipulated the conversion of the existing backbone from ring topology to fully meshed backbone (networked) topology and the flat-bridged network architecture was replaced by hierarchically structured ATM backbone/Fast Ethernet with CAT 5 cabling infrastructure covering all the University building offices, labs and classrooms. By 1997 the remote access service was increased to 90 digital lines in addition to the already existing 45 analog lines. Connectivity to the Internet through digital leased lines linked directly to MCI backbone in NY was also completed with 512 kbps bandwidth increased to 1MB by the end of the year. A university-wide Computing Planning and Development Committee (CPDC) chaired by the Associate Vice President for Computing was established for strategic planning, coordination and integration of IT initiatives at AUC. By the 1997-98 academic year the Computer and Connectivity Availability index for faculty and staff was raised to 1:1 and the Computer Availability index to student population was raised to 1:8. Web-enabled email services were implemented by fall 1998 that provided access to email services from anywhere. The implementation of the new network for all buildings (offices, classrooms and labs) in the various campus sites and the dismantling of the old thin/thick, FDDI flat-bridged network were completed by fall 1998. The total number of switched ports in the network totaled 2400 10/100 Mbps to the desktop. A three-level security rings system was implemented to shield against network attacks. By the end of the year remote access service was also increased to 300 lines. The third three-year network strategic plan was developed in early 2000. A videoconference pilot infrastructure using both ISDN connectivity and internet-based video conferencing connectivity (H.320 and H.323 protocols) was implemented. CAT 5 wiring infrastructure for the Falaki Academic Center 1 was implemented during 2000. The Falaki Academic Center 1 network, featuring additional 1200 switched 10/100 Mbps ports, was designed and implemented. The Academic Center 1 network was integrated and operated within the campus-wide network by January 2001. The grown network featured 3600 10/100 Mbps switched ports to the desktop. The Internet connectivity was increased to 6 Mbps download/4 Mbps upload. In 1999-2000 independent consultants evaluated the ICT infrastructure and it was concluded that AUC ranks in the top third of US education institutions of comparable size in the use of ICT in education. On the recommendation of the consulting report, the President formed the Information Systems Council, chaired by the Provost. The Council considers all policy issues pertaining to the organization and delivery of ICT initiatives including computing, networks, telecommunications, library, and media services. The fall of 2001 included a number of significant activities. One of them was the completion of the integration and operation of the University Dorm and faculty housing in the campus-wide network, which added 400 10/100 Mbps switched ports to the desktop to the campus network. Another was that AUC became the first African/Regional member of the ViNet IP videoconferencing network. Other achievements include " Voice over IP (VOIP) pilot implementation plan was formulated " Wireless hubs have been installed in some premises to enable wireless mobile communication " Internet connectivity was increased to 10 Mbps (up/download) digital links " The Network Security Plan was finalized and intrusion detection and vulnerability testing procedures were instituted through the IT security office " The central email virus protection/scanning system was implemented " The network plan for the Gigabit backbone conversion as well as the migration plan from VMS-based email system to either the Exchange or Lotus notes systems were developed, and feasibility studies are underway with the collaboration of Gartner Group Short-term future activities include " Implementation of the Gigabit network architecture in Q3/2002 " Operation of a pilot building with VOIP telecommunication in Q3/2002 " Completion of the feasibility studies for the migration to new email architecture Q1/2002 " Conducting professional development program for the computing professionals in preparation for the email services migration Q1 and Q2/2002 " Implementation of the email services migration plan Q3/2002 in parallel with the current operational systems " Incremental implementation of VOIP over the span of one year Respond to Administrative Systems Challenges By early 1990 three on-line administrative systems were providing automated administrative operation: Student Information Systems (SIS), the Finance and Accounting system (CUFS) and the Fund and Alumni system (FUNDAL). Acquisition and implementation of the fourth major administrative system, the Human Resources Management System (HRS) was planned and executed by 1992. By 1995 the AdCS server's infrastructure was upgraded through the use of 3 servers cluster to improve availability and reliability of the systems operation. In 1999 the first road map to feature integration and client/server architecture for upgrading the administrative information systems was developed. The Y2K compliance conversion plan for all the university computing infrastructure and resources was also developed and conversion of all university administrative systems to Y2K compliant versions were completed by December. In 2000 the first five-year Administrative Information Systems Strategic plan was developed, and the web for student front-end system was implemented, operated and integrated with the SISPLUS 2000 student records management system. Through this implementation all student-related activities were web-enabled, except the payment of fees. In 2000-01 the Administrative Systems Disaster Recovery Plan was developed through the campus-wide security office and instituted within the AVP office. The first Storage Area Network (SAN) pilot implementation for the Administrative Systems was initiated to serve increasing demands on storage availability and virtualization of storage to gain reliability, scalability and manageability of data storage resources. For more information about the network services refer to the UNS web site http://unsweb.aucegypt.edu and for video conference services at http://videoconf.aucegypt.edu Dr. S. El Akabawi Associate V.P. for Computing