Center for Information Technology Services

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Library Goes Wireless!
New for you from CITS and the Health Sciences/Human Services Library is the recently installed wireless network covering all floors of the building. Laptop computer users in the Library no longer have to find an open data jack to plug into in order to be connected to the campus network. And the data throughput rate is almost five times as fast as with older wireless technology.

What Can I Do/Not Do With It?
Security is always a concern with wireless implementations and the HS/HSL wireless network is no exception. Typically, wireless networks are installed so that users connecting to the wireless network are not allowed off of the network without authentication. As is typical with a University environment we have to balance ease/freedom of access to data with security, so the wireless network has been installed in such a way as to allow users Web access only.

Anyone who brings a wireless-enabled laptop into the library will be able to surf the Internet via his or her installed Web browser. They will not, however, be able to use any other TCP/IP application that uses other IP port services (such as Telnet or FTP) or have access to any campus-connected applications or systems.

Users who want to run other applications or access services local to the campus must first install and run a VPN (Virtual Private Network) client on their computers. The software will only be of use to UMB faculty, students and staff who currently have a UMnet account. Users will be authenticated against a database of all UMnet user accounts, which are automatically assigned to all incoming students. Once a user is authenticated on the VPN, he or she will have access to all services on and off the campus. Information on obtaining the VPN Client software will be published here in the near future; please check back. 

 

CIO's Corner
Peter Murray, Ph.D., VP and CIO
Dr. Murray

During the past few months, CITS has focused on many important projects and ongoing activities for the purpose of supporting the needs of the UMB community.  For example, we have implemented IT security in order to thwart attacks from viruses; made advances with electronic communication systems; developed enterprise software applications; created new websites and web environments; installed wireless networks; maintained the operations of systems and technologies; etc.  Most importantly though, our focus has been and will continue to be on our delivery of service. 

As an organization, our first priority is customer service, and the CITS staff takes great pride in their ability to provide excellent service to the campus community.  We now have an established Assistance and Service Center (ASC) comprised of a Help Desk and the Enterprise Training Group.  The ACS is an important part of our service efforts and is effectively handling an increasing volume of support and training requests.  The overall success achieved in providing excellent customer service is attributed to individual efforts in all areas of the organization.  There have been notable advances made with technology on behalf of the constituencies that we serve.  What makes us most proud, though, is when our delivery of service results in satisfied customers.