• ITNS has effected two very successful computer room moves
• Increased our ability to deliver accurate and timely network-related information to the users (http://itns.ifas.ufl.edu)
• Expanded our statewide Windows NT network (average growth 500 users annually)
• Developed a working partnership with Florida Information Resource Network (FIRN) to finalize plans to extend our network connectivity to county extension offices and research centers statewide.
• Connected eight county extension offices
• Connected/upgraded eight research and education centers.

Removal of OpenVMS Systems

ITNS is on schedule to meet our goal of establishing Windows NT as the primary network platform for IFAS by June of 2001. To date, a total of nine OpenVMS VAX systems have been removed from service. The services that these systems provided have been re-directed to the centralized OpenVMS Alpha system in Gainesville, FL. The cost savings generated by removing these systems from Hardware/Software contracts have enabled us to purchase replacement Intel-based Windows NT Servers for these sites.

To complete our goal, however, will require more then just hardware replacement. We have to move the core network functions, which are currently being performed by OpenVMS, to Windows NT. The three essential core network services (DNS, Web and E-mail), currently running under OpenVMS, will have to be migrated to the replacement Windows NT systems. We have tested many products and found IIS, Exchange and Microsoft DNS to be effective replacement products.

Migration of Service

ITNS has been successfully using and supporting Microsoft's Internet Information Server and Front Page Extensions in a limited production environment. The goal is to emulate the web services that are being performed under OpenVMS with this product and then have our users migrate to it. Though there are a few technical issues that need to be addressed before this conversion can be completed, we are confident that Microsoft's IIS will serve us well.

As for our replacement e-mail delivery system, we have decided to implement a feature-rich messaging platform. ITNS is currently running a limited production Exchange server. Microsoft Exchange provides more then just a server to deliver e-mail, it is a comprehensive messaging platform enabling the end user to take advantage of the IFAS wide global calendar, team and public folders, and real-time threaded discussions and collaboration.

The Move