FY05 Technology Fee Proposal

Transcription

1 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 1 of 12 FY05 Technology Fee Proposal Submitting Organization: University Educational Technology Services (UETS) Major Unit: Information Systems and Technology Department: Digital Media Services Contact Person: Carolyn Gard or Julian Allen or Nathan Reetz cgard@gsu.edu or joallen@gsu.edu or nreetz@gsu.edu Telephone: or or Project Short Title Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades 2. Total Requested Fiscal Year 2005 $228, Executive Summary Project Description (three or four sentences) The Digital Aquarium, Georgia State s innovative and extremely successful multimedia laboratory is desperately in need of faster internal bandwidth and a local storage area network, which would permit moving large files between workstations and back-up storage for large video, audio and 3D files. The Digital Aquarium is also requesting new Apple G5 workstations and more digital cameras to meet the high demands of our students. This equipment will permit more students to work on more digital multimedia projects simultaneously. 4. Project Description The Digital Aquarium, Georgia State s innovative, open access, multimedia laboratory is a huge success. In order for the Digital Aquarium to fulfill it s mission of providing the highest standard of resources and support to Georgia State students to help them add multimedia content to their coursework and in order for the Digital Aquarium to continue to set the standard for multimedia resources and support in the Southeast, the Digital Aquarium requires an increase in local bandwidth, a local storage area network, more digital cameras, faster workstations and the latest software. There are five areas where the Digital Aquarium needs new equipment and/or resource upgrades. They are listed here in the order of need: 1) Local Storage Area Network 2) Software Upgrades 3) Increase Local Bandwidth Speeds to 1GB Ethernet 4) Additional Digital Video, Digital Audio and Digital Photo Kits 5) Workstation Replacement A Local Storage Area Network is desperately needed by the student users of the Aquarium to move their large files between workstations. Not only will this permit students to make more efficient use of the workstations in the laboratory, this will also encourage collaboration between students on their projects. Furthermore, a Local Storage Area Network will permit the Aquarium to provide a back-up

2 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 2 of 12 solution for students large projects such as video, audio and 3D files. Currently students are responsible for their own back-ups. Software and Workstation upgrades are important in order for the Aquarium to continue to provide Georgia State students with the highest standard of multimedia resources and support in the Southeast. A faster internal network bandwidth will permit students to move files between workstations much faster and improve the operating efficiency of the Digital Aquarium. Additional Digital Video, Digital Audio and Digital Photo Kits are needed by the Aquarium and the students of Georgia State to keep pace with the constantly increasing demand for portable multimedia equipment. The Aquarium currently offers multimedia production workshops and equipment checkouts free of charge to all students of Georgia State. (See metrics in Section 8) 5. Record the review numbers assigned by UCCS and Facilities. Their assessments must be included in Sections 16 and 17. UCCS: Facilities: Relevance to Regents Guidelines [1] Technology fee revenues should be used primarily for the direct benefit of students to assist them in meeting the educational objectives of their academic programs. [3] Technology fee revenues should be used for hardware and Network related expenditures that include support of general purpose or special purpose laboratories used by students for body productivity and more discipline related activities [4] Technology fee revenues may be used for training of students and, to a lesser extent, staff and faculty. 7. Relevance to Strategic Plan(s) An excerpt from the Georgia State University Information Technology Strategic Plan : As part of the planning process, a Vision for Information Technology Effectiveness at Georgia State University has evolved. The major goals and initiatives presented later in this plan reflect this vision. The vision is that: Technology-enhanced education will be noticeably enhanced because both the appropriate classroom facilities and other instructional technologies and support are available to faculty and students; An excerpt from the University Strategic Plan : F. Technology A goal is to become and remain current in the application of computing and information technologies. All students should have ready access to computing resources and an opportunity to develop information management skills for lifelong learning. The following excerpts are from the Georgia State University Goals : Provide Effective Information Technology Services for Students:

3 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 3 of Establish Appropriate Levels of Technology in Classrooms: If the University is to achieve the goal of technology-enhanced education, along with faculty training and development, it must equip its classrooms and laboratories appropriately Ensure Availability of Information Technology Resources for Students: Current policy is to provide open-access computer laboratories for student. The second problem is the absence of an established plan for systematically replacing the technology in these classrooms and laboratories. A replacement funding system based on a reasonable lifetime should be established for the near future. 8. Impact on Students Served The Digital Aquarium is an open-access, multimedia laboratory; accessible to all students at Georgia State, regardless of academic major or technology skill levels. The services and equipment offered at the Digital Aquarium directly support the academic requirements of many diverse departments and support a large number of students studying under those departments. There are currently no other facilities available on campus providing the high-end multimedia computing equipment necessary to meet these demands During the past year, the Digital Aquarium has continued to increase its services to the student body. This is shown in constantly increasing numbers of student sign-ins, equipment checkouts and workshop attendance at the lab over the past three years. Over 35,000 student sign-ins have been logged at the Digital Aquarium since its opening in February During that time, the Aquarium has become a valuable asset to the campus not only for its unique software and hardware offerings, but also for the learning opportunities available to all Georgia State students. The Digital Aquarium is open during the same hours as the Student Center, closing a few minutes early each night to allow for closing procedures. The Digital Aquarium sponsors, advises, and on occasion, hosts campus activities for many diverse student organizations on campus. These include the Peach City Film Festival, Cinefest, SpotLight, Student Government Association, technology focused groups, student film projects, student television pilots, cultural groups and events, athletic teams, fraternities, sororities and Home Coming. The Digital Aquarium is now featured on most INCEPT tours and many tours of special guests, providing opportunities to recruit top-tier students to Georgia State. The Digital Aquarium has hosted many prestigious guests from the local and national press, including: US New and World Report, CNN, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Signal, GSTV, Album 88.9, PeopleTV and GPTV. The following is a list of metrics for the Aquarium: The number of student sign-ins at the Aquarium now totals over 35,000 since our grand opening in February Seventy (70) free workshops are offered every month for both novice and advanced students. Subjects include: Photoshop, After Effects, Flash, Dreamweaver, ProTools, Illustrator, Swift3D, DVD Studio Pro, Final Cut Pro, imovie, idvd, cleaner, Digital Audio Production, Digital Photography, Digital Video, Advanced Lighting, Wireless Microphones and Mac OSX. Two-hundred (200) workshops were given during the last three months of 2003 One-thousand (1000) students have taken the Audio Suite workshop

4 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 4 of 12 The Digital Aquarium s Digital Audio Suite has a wait-list over three weeks long; making it the most popular workstation on campus. The Aquarium has had more than five hundred (500) Audio Suite reservations (plus walkins) in the past three months. Far exceeding any other three-month period since our opening The Aquarium averages more than forty (40) equipment checkouts per week Four-hundred 400 equipment checkouts during the last three months of 2003 Far exceeding any other three-month period since our opening The Aquarium hosted more than three-dozen academic classes for software workshops in the 2003 Fall semester; training students in skills needed to excel in their curriculum. Hundreds of new students were personally introduced to the resources and support the Aquarium offers Over twenty faculty members assigned projects to their classes that required recourses only available to students through the Digital Aquarium. Students from every college on campus use the resources and support of the Digital Aquarium. Every year the Digital Aquarium hosts more than two thousand (2000) students and their parents on INCEPT tours and other guided tours.

5 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 5 of Justification of Funding Requirements for Fiscal Year 2005 Object of Expense Itemized Descriptions Quanity Per unit price Extended Total Equipment Software (prices based on previous software upgrade costs) Apple dual 2Ghz G5/2GB/250GBx2 DVD-R/CDRW, APP 10 $3, $39, Apple 20" Flat Screen Display 10 $1, $11, HugeSANstream HSS C 1TB File Server 4 $10, $42, Apple XRAID 1TB File Storage 1 $7, $7, GigE Switch (Student Center) 1 $5, $5, GigE Module (Student Center) 1 $19, $19, RLS-8236 LTO I/ II tape back-up auto 36 capacity multiplexor, rackmountable 1 $17, $17, BRU Server for Mac OS X Severautomated backup software 1 $2, $2, Apple OSX 30 $20.00 $ Apple FinalCut Pro 16 $ $3, Adobe Creation Suite (for PC and Mac) 20 $ $7, Maya (for PC and Mac) 20 $ $5, Apple ilife 20 $49.00 $ Apple DVD Studio Pro 16 $ $2, VR Worx QTVR 16 $ $4, Macromedia Web Suite MX $ $3, Security Software Upgrades 30 $50.00 $1, CD Burning Utilities 30 $50.00 $1, Supplies Video Server Storage Cabinet 1 $1, $1, Canon GL2 Digital Video Camera Kits- inc: Cases, Tripods, Extra Batt, Accss. 6 $3, $18, Canon G5 Digital Photo Camera Kits- inc: Cases, Extra Batt, Accss. 8 $1, $8, Kits - inc: Case, Windscreen and Accss 6 $ $5, Advanced Field Video Lighting Kits 2 $1, $2, Desks and Chairs for Equip. Rm SC386 2 $1, $2, Storage Cabinets for Equip. Rm SC386 g 4 $1, $4, Cards 16 $60.00 $ GigE Connector 1 $ $ Digital BackUp Tape media 100 $50.00 $5, TOTAL $228,908.00

6 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 6 of Consequences of Partial Funding There are five areas where the Digital Aquarium needs new equipment and/or resource upgrades. They are listed here in order of need: 1) Local Storage Area Network 2) Software Upgrades 3) Increase Local Bandwidth Speeds to 1Gb Ethernet 4) Additional Digital Video, Digital Audio and Digital Photo Kits 5) Workstation Replacement Less than full 100% funding will result in one or more of the Digital Aquarium s five major problem areas not being funded. The other major problem areas would be resolved. Only 75% funded: Specifically, the following items would NOT be funded: Ten (10) Apple dual 2Ghz G5/2GB/250GBx2 DVD-R/CDRW, APP Ten (10) Apple 20" Flat Screen Display Apple QTVR for OSX (16 licenses) One (1) fewer Canon GL2 Digital Video Kit

7 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 7 of 12 Object of Expense Itemized Descriptions Quanity Per unit price Extended Total HugeSANstream HSS C Equipment 1TB File Server 4 $10, $42, Apple XRAID 1TB File Storage 1 $11, $11, GigE Switch (Student Center) 1 $5, $5, GigE Module (Student Center) 1 $19, $19, RLS-8236 LTO I/ II tape back-up auto 36 capacity multiplexor, rackmountable 1 $18, $18, Software BRU Server for Mac OS X Severautomated backup software 1 $2, $2, (prices based on previous Apple OSX 20 $20.00 $ software upgrade costs) Windows XP 20 $20.00 $ Apple FinalCut Pro 16 $ $4, Adobe Creation Suite (for PC and Mac) 20 $ $8, Maya (for PC and Mac) 20 $ $5, Apple ilife 20 $50.00 $1, Apple DVD Studio Pro 16 $ $4, Macromedia Web Suite MX $ $4, Security Software Upgrades 30 $50.00 $1, CD Burning Utilities 30 $50.00 $1, Supplies Video Server Storage Cabinet 1 $1, $1, Canon GL2 Digital Video Camera Kits- inc: Cases, Tripods, Extra Batt, Accss. 5 $3, $15, Canon G5 Digital Photo Camera Kits- inc: Cases, Tripods, Extra Batt, Accss. 8 $1, $8, Digital Video Field Microphones 6 $1, $6, Advanced Field Video Lighting Kits 2 $1, $3, Desks and Chairs for Equip. Rm SC386 2 $1, $2, Storage Cabinets for Equip. Rm SC386 g 4 $1, $4, Cards 16 $60.00 $ GigE Connector 1 $ $ Digital BackUp Tape media 100 $50.00 $5, TOTAL $176,633.00

8 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 8 of 12 Only 50% funded: Two or more of the problem areas will have to go unresolved for at least another fiscal year. Specifically, the following items would NOT be funded: Two (2) of the HUGE San Stream Video Servers, providing storage to only half of the lab Ten (10) Apple dual 2Ghz G5/2GB/250GBx2 DVD-R/CDRW, APP Ten (10) Apple 20" Flat Screen Display Apple QTVR for OSX (16 licenses) Maya for the Mac (10 licenses) Six (6) Canon GL2 Digital Video Kit Four (4) Field Microphones Two (2) Advanced Lighting Kits Two (2) fewer Digital Photo Kits Office Furniture for Storage Room SC386 Object of Expense Itemized Descriptions Quanity Per unit price Extended Total HugeSANstream HSS C Equipment 1TB File Server 2 $10, $21, Apple XRAID 1TB File Storage 1 $7, $7, GigE Switch (Student Center) 1 $5, $5, GigE Module (Student Center) 1 $19, $19, RLS-4221 AIT I/II tape back-up auto 22 capacity multiplexor, rackmountable 1 $9, $9, Software BRU Server for Mac OS X Severautomated backup software 1 $2, $2, (prices based on previous Apple OSX 20 $20.00 $ software upgrade costs) Apple FinalCut Pro 16 $ $3, Adobe Creation Suite (for PC and Mac) 20 $ $7, Maya (for PC) 10 $ $2, Apple ilife 20 $49.00 $ Apple DVD Studio Pro 16 $ $2, Macromedia Web Suite MX $ $3, Security Software Upgrades 30 $50.00 $1, CD Burning Utilities 30 $50.00 $1, Supplies Video Server Storage Cabinet 1 $1, $1, Canon GL2 Digital Video Camera Kits- inc: Cases, Tripods, Extra Batt, Accss. 0 $3, $0.00 Canon G5 Digital Photo Camera Kits- inc: Cases, Extra Batt, Accss. 8 $1, $8, Digital Video Field Microphones w/case 2 $ $1, Advanced Field Video Lighting Kits 0 $1, $0.00 Desks and Chairs for Equip. Rm SC386 2 $1, $2, Storage Cabinets for Equip. Rm SC386 g 4 $1, $4, Cards 16 $60.00 $ GigE Connector 1 $ $ Digital BackUp Tape media 100 $50.00 $5, TOTAL $114, Standard Dollar Amounts Students come to the Digital Aquarium to experience the highest standard in multimedia resources and support. Many of the software programs offered in the Aquarium require the fastest workstations

9 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 9 of 12 available. Programs such as Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple DVD Studio Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, DigiDesign Pro Tools, discreet* 3D Studio Max, Alias Wavefront Maya and SoftImage 3D are all professional software titles designed to be utilized on the fastest workstations available which can t be purchased for the standard amount. As the multimedia software matures and the student users become more skilled and creative, certain tasks require processing power far exceeding normal requirements. For example, a typical Word document is less than 1MB. A typical video file is larger than 1GB, a difference factor of 1000! Working with such large files requires the latest software and the fastest workstations. Making a backup copy or moving a project to a different workstation can be a complicated task when working with such large files. Providing fast and reliable hardware makes the daily operation of the Digital Aquarium more efficient and productive. Which in turn improves the satisfaction of our student users. 12. Standard Replacement Thresholds If funded, the Digital Aquarium will purchase ten (10) new Apple G5 workstations, upgrading workstations that have been used daily by students for three years. The workstations in current use will not be surplused. New storage space and more efficient use of space in the Aquarium will permit several of the workstations to continue to be utilized by students. The remaining workstations will be clustered into an Apple G4 Multiprocessing Render Farm. The Render Farm will be used to render large video, audio and 3D files overnight for students (potentially staff and faculty as well). The new Apple G5 workstations will be put to use immediately by Georgia State students for video, audio, 3D, web, graphic and DVD production. See Attachments 3 and Prerequisite, Non-Technology Fee Funding: NA 14. Matching Funds: NA 15. Staffing and Other Support Availability This proposal does not include any staff positions or student technology workers. The staff for the Aquarium consists of one full time staff member, currently Nathan Reetz an Educational Technology Specialist Lead position who reports directly to the Manager of the UETS Digital Media Services Group, Julian Allen. 16. Space Availability and Impact on Facilities This project does not impact facilities. 17. Impact on Computing/Networking/Security Infrastructure This proposal will require significant changes to the University network infrastructure. The estimates provided below are based on a design that will allow increased bandwidth between terminals in the Aquarium and the XServer. Bandwidth connection to terminals and services outside of the Aquarium will remain limited to 10Mbps in order to protect the common network infrastructure from large file transmissions. This estimate is based on the X-Server being housed in the Digital Aquarium. UETS would be responsible for performing back-ups and all maintenance on the server. GigE Switch (Student Center) $5,000 GigE Module (Student Center) 19,597 GigE Connector 300 Server Tape Library 10, Post-Project Assessment Criteria

10 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 10 of 12 Qualitative Analysis: Has the XRAID been purchased and installed? Are students using the file server on an hourly, daily or weekly basis? Has the Local Storage Area Network been purchased and installed? Are students using the storage server on an hourly, daily or weekly basis? Have the ten Apple G5 workstations been purchased and installed? How often and for how long are students using them? Have the Digital Camera, Digital Photo, Field Audio and Field Lighting Kits been purchased? Are students checking them out, if so how often? Has the Network Upgrade equipment been purchased and installed? Is it working properly and securely? Have the software upgrades been purchased? Are they properly installed? Are students using the new software upgrades? Are we teaching the new software versions in our free workshops? Has the tape back-up equipment been purchased and installed? Is student work being backed-up on a daily basis? Is SC386 being used to check out equipment to students? Does it provide a more secure place to store valuable equipment? Quantitative Analysis: Number of students using the unique resources of this lab. The Aquarium will measure the number of students over time to determine the utilization of the lab. The amount of time equipment is in use can be tracked by observing equipment reservation logs and documenting student use of equipment in the lab. Reductions of time spent in academic courses teaching basic multimedia skills. We are working with faculty to strategically enhance their courses by providing just in time training for their students in key multimedia disciplines. For example, one Digital Photography professor currently spends 6 of 15 weeks training students on using the tools within Adobe Photoshop. We hope to reduce this time to 3-4 weeks by providing additional training in the Aquarium. Amount of data backed-up daily, weekly, monthly, each semester? Number of students using File Server and Local Area Storage Network? 19. Review and Acknowledgements: NA

11 Attachment 3 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 11 of 12 GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY Technology Fee FY 2005 Itemization of Equipment to be Replaced Due to Obsolescence or Inadequacy Unit: Proposal Submitter: Proposal/Award Title: Carolyn Gard University Educational Technology Services Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Please note this equipment will be used in a different environment. Station Number MAC 01 GSU ID Serial No XB15022GKSD MAC XB15022JKSD Current Room Location Make Model CPU Mhz Manu. Date MAC 03 MAC 04 MAC 05 MAC 06 MAC 07 MAC 08 AUDIO CART XB15022MKSD XB15022DKSD XB15022HKSD XB15022EKSD XB15022LKSD XB15022FKSD XB15022NKSD XB15022KKSD

12 Attachment 4 FY05_1.1.5 Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Page 12 of 12 GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY Technology Fee FY 2005 Equipment Replacement Exception Form Unit: Proposal Submitter: Proposal/Award Title: Carolyn Gard University Educational Technology Services Digital Aquarium Storage Server and Workstation Upgrades Students come to the Digital Aquarium to experience the highest standard in multimedia resources and support. Many of the software programs offered in the Aquarium require the fastest workstations available. Programs such as Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple DVD Studio Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, DigiDesign Pro Tools, discreet* 3D Studio Max, Alias Wavefront Maya and SoftImage 3D are all professional software titles designed to be utilized on the fastest workstations available. The workstations in the Digital Aquarium are three years old. The computing industry s Law of Micro Processing states that computer processors double in speed every eighteen months. Applying this theory, the workstations in the Digital Aquarium are eight-times slower than the workstations currently available on the market. For example, Apple s dual 2Ghz G5 workstations with up to 8GB of RAM are eight times faster than the dual 800mhz Apple G4 workstation currently in use at the Aquarium. Explain how the performance criteria listed above relate to your unit s organizational mission and its ability to deliver the intended service effectively. The Digital Aquarium, Georgia State s innovative, open access, multimedia laboratory is a huge success. In order for the Digital Aquarium to fulfill it s mission of providing the highest standard of resources and support to Georgia State students to help them add multimedia content to their coursework and in order for the Digital Aquarium to continue to set the standard for multimedia resources and support in the Southeast, the Digital Aquarium requires the fastest workstations and the latest software. Identify the specific minimum hardware or software required to have the equipment or systems perform to the level identified in the criteria above. The Digital Aquarium requires the latest editions of all software currently offered. The Aquarium is an innovative cross-platform laboratory that places high demands on its software and its workstations. Students and the staff assistants of the laboratory do not have time to spare for crashing workstations, software bugs and hardware glitches. Generally, software upgrades make software programs faster, more stable, more efficient, and add useful features. For all of these reasons, it is important that the Digital Aquarium receives Software Upgrade funding each fiscal year. As the multimedia software matures and the student users become more skilled and creative, certain tasks require processing power far exceeding normal requirements. For example, a typical Word document is less than 1MB. A typical video file is larger than 1GB, a difference factor of 1000 times! Working with such large files requires the latest software and the fastest workstations. Making a back-up copy or moving a project to a different workstation can be a complicated task when working with such large files. Providing fast and reliable hardware makes the daily operation of the Digital Aquarium more efficient and productive. Which in turn improves the satisfaction of our student users.