AUGUSTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PLAN 2014-2016
Table of Contents Information Technology Plan Table of Contents Mission Statement Current Capabilities Future Plans How to get there
AUGUSTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT Augusta Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is a public postsecondary institution that promotes and provides the education, economic, and community development needs of its service area (Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, and Richmond Counties). Associate of Science Degrees, Associate of Applied Science Degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit are provided through traditional and distance delivery methods. The College achieves its mission by providing academic and technical education, student support services, customized business and industry training, economic development services, continuing education, and adult education services.
Current Capabilities Computers Augusta Technical College currently maintains more than 1700 microcomputers in various offices, labs, classrooms, and sites. These computers consist of Windows based models with various levels of hardware, depending on their purpose. The Operating Systems are a mixture of Windows XP and Windows 7. Datacenter The datacenter located in the 100 building on the Augusta campus housed the majority of the servers in use by the school. The datacenter has a centralized APC ups system that provides battery backup for all systems in the datacenter. The building is also supported by a gas generator that provides backup power for the entire building. This combination minimizes any downtime due to power issues. There are 41 physical servers in the datacenter. They are mostly windows servers providing services files services, application servers, email services, security camera recording and other vital services. 57 servers are virtualized on 6 IBM 3850 s in two VMware clusters. Storage is provided by multiple IBM N-series 3600 SANs. These systems provide primary storage for data and VMware virtual machines. Networks The network is a star topology with fiber runs to each wire closet on the Augusta Campus. All
connections to switches on the Augusta Campus are either 1 GB or 10GB. Each wire room is equipped with one or more uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) that provide power to critical infrastructure equipment in the event of a short power outage. Each UPS can support a limited number of devices so some wire rooms have more than others. Augusta Technical College's current network consists of multiple virtual LAN's (VLAN) combined to form one large Intranet The remote sites in Waynesboro and Grovetown are connected by T-1 circuits provided by GTA/AT&T. The Thomson site is connected with dark fiber leased from Comcast. We light the fiber with a 10GB connection. The internet connection for the school is a DS3 circuit from GTA/AT&T that connects us through the GTA network. All traffic to and from the college is run through Cisco ASA 5540 and Cisco FWSM firewalls. The network structure includes a Cisco 6513 serving as the core router. The VLAN topology is created in such a manner to limit access based on a ring structure. Access lists are designed to limit computers and users ability to physically reach servers they do not require access to. Cisco NAC is used to control unauthorized usage of the network. Only authorized devices are allowed to plug into the network. The wireless network consists of over 130 access points and core controller devices for managing the wireless infrastructure.
Future Computers Augusta Tech will pursue a strategy to virtualize the desktop computers over the next 3 years. The goal is to provide stable desktop computing platform that will be responsive to the computing needs of the users. Virtualizing desktops will allow us to extend the life of current PC s by repurposing them as terminal clients. Some departments will still require desktop computers such as Drafting and Computer Information Systems. Servers will likely be replaced on a 5 year cycle. Blade servers will be most of the future purchases as they can easily be switched out of the chassis platforms like UCS and IBM Blade center we have in place. Printers will be replaced on a 5-7 year cycle as well. This allows a greater return of investment on maintenance contracts rather than purchasing new hardware on a greater frequency. Datacenter The datacenter will require an upgrade to the SAN infrastructure and server infrastructure. Virtualization requirements for the desktops call for newer SAN hardware to support the greater requirements of moving desktop computing into the datacenter. Additional blade servers will be required as we scale out the PC virtualization.
Networks Most all Cisco switches have been replaced with Cisco Catalyst 3650X and 3750X series switches in accordance with TCSG recommendations. The 6513 core router will need to be changed out based on age and support availability from Cisco. The newer Cisco Nexus 7000 models will be evaluated for appropriate upgrades. The Cisco NAC will need to be replaced for similar reasons. The newer NAC devices also have greater capabilities to handle the requirements for BYOD computing (Tablets, phones, etc ) The limitations and expense of utilizing the GTA network require us to seek alternate methods to connect our campuses and our internet connection. These services will need to be bid out based our new requirements. Faster speeds for each of the branch campuses and a direct connection to the internet hub at 56 Marietta in Atlanta. TCSG already maintains a presence there that we can leverage for cheaper internet access and direct connections to other TCSG schools. Voice/Telephone An updated telephone system would allow increased productivity and lower costs spanning our entire enterprise. Voice over IP (VoIP) has been installed by the majority of our sister Technical Colleges across the state. This type of system allows more features, such as caller ID, calling circles, digital voice mail, and desk side video calling. TCSG and Cisco are in negotiations for a financing deal that will allow Augusta Tech to procure a VOIP solution. This deal will eliminate the significant upfront costs and spread the costs out over multiple years. The financed cost should be equivalent to the in monthly phone bill. The return of investment is 3-5 years.
Three Year Plan for Replacement of Computers and Infrastructure Equipment How to get there... FY14 Item Quantity Cost (each) Total Desktop Computers 400 $700.00 $280,000.00 NAC Replacement 1 $60,000.00 $60,000.00 Cisco Core Router 1 $260,000.00 $260,000.00 Blade Servers 3 $11000.00 $33,000.00 Connectivity 12 mos. $6600.00 $78,117.00 FY15 Item Quantity Cost (each) Total Desktop Computers 400 $700.00 $280,000.00 Cisco Switches 5 $7500.00 $37,500.00 Blade Servers 3 $1100.00 $33,000.00 Connectivity 12 mos. $6600.00 $78,117.00 10
FY16 Item Quantity Cost (each) Total Desktop Computers 400 $700.00 $280,000.00 Cisco Switches 5 $7500.00 $37,500.00 Blade Servers 3 $1100.00 $33,000.00 Connectivity 12 mos. $6600.00 $78,117.00 Note: These figures do not include any price increase from year to year. 11