Annual Report

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Hugh Osborne
8 years ago
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1 IT Facilities and Programmes 77

2 78 Annual Report

3 IT Facilities and Programmes IT Facilities and Programmes In the present era of Information Technology, NISCAIR is making concerted efforts to maximize the use of modern ICT. It has embarked upon several innovative projects, which are based on modern IT techniques and has made commendable progress in the area of science communication. NISCAIR is serving the scientific society by using modern IT infrastructure in a more effective manner and taking up new ventures in the field of science communication, dissemination and S&T information management systems and services. Broadly, the core activity of NISCAIR is to store, publish and disseminate scientific and technological information through a mix of traditional and modern means that will benefit the R&D community and other segments of society in India and abroad. The main thrust during the year continued to be on strengthening the activities in the following areas: (a) IT Infrastructure Development, (b) IT Human Resource Development, (c) NISCAIR Website and (d) Facility Management Softwares. Infrastructure Development Local Area Network (LAN) established in NISCAIR is functioning properly on 300 nodes at the Pusa Campus and on 400 nodes at the Satsang Vihar Marg Campus. Internet access is provided to most of the staff of NISCAIR through a 2-Mbps leased line connection acquired from VSNL. All scientists in NISCAIR are using computer systems for data transfer and communication in-house through the intranet. Also, manuscripts and data are being exchanged by with authors and referees. Data transfer for composing is also being done through the network. Installation of LAN and Internet access has helped in enhancing the overall working of the staff and 79

4 80 Annual Report overall productivity of the scientists. The institute has more than 600 computers of different configurations, about 180 printers and scanners. IT Division is also engaged in the maintenance of Servers (Proxy, Primary DNS + Web, Mail server). A server based anti-virus solution etrust Inoculate IT and etrust Firewall from Computer Associates has been installed to improve the overall working environment and prevent virus attacks. All the servers previously running on Windows NT platform have now been switched over to windows 2003 servers and source Linux platform. NISCAIR has switched over from vendor provided mail software to its own open source Mail Software. users of both the locations (Pusa campus as well as S. V. Marg campus) can access their mails anywhere in world through URL By changing the platform NISCAIR has saved the investment in software licensing. Upgradation in Internet Bandwidth 1. Internet Leased Line Connectivity: An updation to 4 Mbps Internet Bandwidth with Committed access rate on 1:1 basis scalable up to 8 Mbps till ISP International Gateway with last mile link on Fiber with self-healing architecture is under process. 2. Similarly, a point to point leased line of 2 Mbps (1:1) to other location of NISCAIR (so that if link at any of two locations is down, the Internet connectivity link can be used of other location) is under process. Upgradation in Hardware Infrastructure To further strengthen the IT infrastructure of NISCAIR, 50 IBM and 5 HP Pentium IV Desktops with TFT Monitors, 5 Servers, 2 Laptops, Scanners, High end Printers; DVD- Writers, Combo Drives and UPS with latest configuration have been procured for TKDL Project and inhouse requirement of NISCAIR. Installation of 100 New Network Points has been done. NISCAIR has two state-of-the-art training centers with modern IT infrastructure. This year 50 new P4 computers have been installed which will further facilitate the training process. Deployment of Wireless Access Point To provide mobile Internet access, Wireless Access Points have been deployed at various places in both locations of NISCAIR. Establishment of Video Conferencing Facility Video Conferencing facility is one of the projects covered under ICT Project of CSIR. VC Facility is proposed to be set up at both locations of NISCAIR. NISCAIR Website and Full Text xt Search of NISCAIR Journals on Website NISCAIR website, (http: is hosted on NISCAIR s own server. The content pages along with abstracts of the papers published in all the NISCAIR journals/magazines are being made available regularly and are updated every month.

5 IT Facilities and Programmes Search facility within website through keywords has been added. Another facility of alert to customers requesting for NISCAIR publications online has been added. The data of two NISCAIR journals, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge (IJTK) and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Abstracts (MAPA), which have been included in PCT Minimum list are being sent on CDs to European Patent Office and WIPO, Geneva. Besides these two journals, full contents of majority of NISCAIR journals have been put on NISCAIR s website and are updated as soon as the issues are published. This has helped in increasing the reader base of these journals. Citations of papers published in these journals have also increased thereby improving the impact factor of NISCAIR journals. NISCAIR website in Hindi Hindi Version of NISCAIR Website From time to time Hindi version of circulars is posted on the website. The website is updated regularly. SDC Website SAARC Documentation Centre (SDC) website, hosted on NISCAIR Web server is being updated regularly. Co-Location of NISCAIR Website and TKDL Portal To provide uninterrupted access 24 7 to Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Network Portal, NISCAIR has co-located TKDL server in NIC data center. Facility Management Softwares In addition to generic small applications like Document Management Information System (DMIS), Attendance Monitoring System, Online Submission of Application for Recruitment, Reception Management Software, NISCAIR has developed some more generic small applications. These include: 1. Coordination Committee Monitoring System (CCMS): A web enabled for NISCAIR to replace the manual work for maintaining the record of Agenda items (ongoing projects/activities) and monitoring their status in a timely manner through various CCmeetings. The main objective of the proposed system was to help the Administration in reviewing and monitoring the ongoing projects / activities in a timely manner, so that rational decisions could be made to speed up their progress. 2. Dispatch Information System (DIS): A web-enabled for NISCAIR for ensuring consistency of daily and monthly invoices based on dispatch of NISCAIR publications. 3. Vendo endor r Information System (VIS): A web-enabled for NISCAIR to replace the 81

6 Annual Report manual work for maintaining the record of vendors and maintaining their bidding history. 4. TA/D A/DA Reimbursement System: A web based to computerise existing manual system of Travelling and Daily Allowance Reimbursement and monitoring the status in a timely manner. This application is designed to help NISCAIR in providing an interface to the employees to submit online application for availing advance as well as claim. It will help the Bill Section, Administration to process the bill faster with accuracy. It will also help the employees to know the status of their application at any point of time. 5. E- Granthalaya: Two modules, Catalogue Access and Data Management have been designed as an upgradation for Windows based library automation package. Both the modules are working in National Science Library. IT Human Resource Development NISCAIR provides short-term courses, attachment training programmes for persons requiring specialized training in the field of ICT. Training to the students of courses such as B.E., B. Tech, M.E., M. Tech., M.C.A. and M. Sc. (Computer Science), as part-fulfilment of their courses. During the year, two batches of students completed their training under this programme. These student trainees are working on various in-house projects. NISCAIR utilizes these young minds to develop programs for automation of in-house activities. Manpower is also trained through Short-term Courses on Computer Applications, Website Designing and Library Automation. IT Division Scientists 82

With the broad focus of NISCAIR being on

7 IT Facilities & Programmes With the broad focus of NISCAIR being on storing, publishing and disseminating scientific and technological information, a modern IT infrastructure assumes paramount importance.