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Wednesday, November 9, 2016

by Job Requests

Posted on November 9, 2016

District – while investigating another matter, I noted that our traffic graph indicated a series of very large data bursts (leaving our site) that are occurring regularly over the last week starting at a little after 8 PM and ending a little after midnight. I contacted Peder Angvall to see if perhaps he was getting switch configs in preparation for next weeks upgrade project, but haven’t had a reply yet. I also notified OneNet of the anomaly to see if they could help me track the activity down. 

Notice:

Colleagues,

There will be disruption of service on Thursday and Friday, November 17th and 18th. Although we will endeavor to keep the down time to a minimum, I'm asking for everyone's cooperation by preparing ahead of time to plan activities that do not require technologies that are network dependent. Please acknowledge that you have received this advance notice and are aware of the planned disruption of service. 

Things you can do:

  • work ahead – if you have projects that fall due on the 17th or 18th, please complete those now
  • prepare alternative activities – this is an opportunity to be creative and still accomplish your goals, download resources you plan to use ahead of time
  • alter your schedule – move activities that don't require technology to these two days
  • old school – this could be an opportunity to demonstrate how things used to be done in school.
  • research – 6 Things You Can Do to Prepare for Internet Downtime, Google it now

What won't be available:

  • Internet – email, Google Apps, cloud based apps (OdysseyWare, AR, Grade Book, child nutrition program, etc.), pretty much anything online
  • Server Access – Wengage accounting, file services, SuccessMaker (blue screen)
  • Tech Support – I will be busy trying to help complete the project
  • Sympathy – you've been warned

What will be available:

  • Physical Resources – Paper, pencil, books, ect.
  • SmartBoard and Smart Notebook - except for online features
  • Cellular Access – if your room can get a cell signal, you could use your phone as a personal hotspot (if you know how and your plan allows it – I can't help you with this)
  • Creativity – here's your chance to show your students how resourceful you can be
  • School Email On Your Phone – if you haven't already set up your phone to receive your school mail, this would be a good time

The devices we are working on during this time are what makes a network: you don't even realize they exist until they break. This project will keep us going for years to come. I've worked long and hard to plan, fund, and implement the project. Now it's your turn: plan now for what you will be doing those two days. Please don't call me and tell me what isn't working. I already know what won't be working and now, you do too.

Please send me an email stating that you have read this notice and are going to prepare in advance.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

District – sent a second notification out to all staff regarding service disruptions during the planned maintenance next week on Thursday and Friday. I also posted signs of this notice on all entry points to the buildings and on the doors of each lab. I discussed the notification with each administrator. I don’t know what else I could do to forwarn clients of service disruptions.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

District – Webex with Cisco regarding the demo VOIP phones. Questions:

  • recommend a local reseller,
  • list of local schools using Cisco phones
  • configuration of lines and extensions (1 line each for admin, elem, middle, high, transportation, child nutrition, several extension off of those lines)
  • integration of analog PA system
  • external speakers

Peder Angvall – discussed the plan for upgrade outages. Most downtime will be on Thursday, only local disruptions on Friday.

District – instructed by Sean Walker to block FaceBook, verified by Andy Gower, due to harrassment of middle school students and the inability of administrators to confirm the identity of the creator of fake accounts. This was reported to FaceBook and the local police before they got me involved. I blocked the site, but cautioned adminstrators that the students could still access via cellular accounts and circumvent the web filter in a variety of ways. 

Don Gallagher – posted a news article he sent me regarding student accomplishments

Andy Gower – sat in on phone coversation with George Burke regarding his recommendations for VOIP phones and PA systems integration.

 

 

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