Link2ICT Network Managers and School Technicians’ Think Tank - Oct 2014

[Michael]

I don't think I'll be coming to October's meeting, simply because I'm too busy and I don't think there's anything else I can bring to the table that's already been said. It's fair to say the number of problems have reduced, but I agree - some networking type support tickets are there lingering far too long.

 

I echo above comments that the centralisation of proxies appears to have gone well, yet I also didn't receive any notification. I logged a call only to be told so. If you want to be doubly sure, simply open up a command prompt and ping eduproxy.bgfl.org. So long as it doesn't end in .30, then you're good to go. Switch it off, but I'd still leave it in place, as it's doing no harm (unless space is a premium).

I've also noticed (interestingly) that as well as intranet pages like bgfl.org, login.microsoftonline.com is also accessible without the need to enter proxy details into Internet Explorer. It demonstrates that either an exception has been made (at global level), or it's the first signs of transparent proxying - something I've championed for some time now.

 

All I will say, is I recently had a positive discussion with an account manager (who will remain nameless) who addressed all my questions in a professional manner. Progress is definitely being made and stability of school BGfL connections have improved.

On a related note, I do question how many schools out there are still using Cisco 2950's, 2960's or 3560's etc... supplied by a Government grant all those years ago - I make it around 8 years on average. Some networks I've looked at recently were poorly wired (in terms of their configuration), with major bottlenecks (lack of gigabit, even for servers). I wonder whether Link2ICT/Service Birmingham have ever thought about this. It's all very well having fast WAN links when LAN links are falling short of the mark.

 

That's all for now For those of you going, please report back your findings to share

[foofighterjim]

So, who is here today. Unfortunately the only face I can remember was @Little-Miss and she has abandoned us all for the bright lights of London.

[eshaq786]

I'm sitting in the middle table. Guy with black leather hoody.

[jamin100]

I'm here.

[foofighterjim]

Me and @eshaq786 are on the middle table.

[Little-Miss]

Haha! Sorry about that....

[Tricky_Dicky]

I was there, however I don't think I'm allowed to admit that on here in case I offend some one ( Hi Andy!!)

[Alis_Klar]

Any reports from the conference yet? Was interested in the latest on Office 365 via Link2ICT.

[stevenlong1985]

@Alis_Klar from what I got yesterday.

they are allowing schools to migrate to O365 free to do it by yourself, or you can pay link2ict to do it.

features such as Email Filtering would be on Microsoft side but really it would be down to you and the school.

 

 

And...

 

from the E-safety table.

I found the checklist about using third party clouds services

 

http://ico.org.uk/for_organisations/guidance_index/~/media/documents/library/Data_Protection/Practical_application/cloud_computing_guidance_for_organisations.ashx

 

It is criminal law if you upload personal data to a cloud service that does not meet the correct requirements.

 

 

Steve

[foofighterjim]

And...

 

from the E-safety table.

I found the checklist about using third party clouds services

 

http://ico.org.uk/for_organisations/guidance_index/~/media/documents/library/Data_Protection/Practical_application/cloud_computing_guidance_for_organisations.ashx

 

It is criminal law if you upload personal data to a cloud service that does not meet the correct requirements.

 

This didn't come up at all during our time on that table but is similar to an issue I had last week:

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/security/143108-safe-harbour-data-security-advice.html

 

Overall the meeting was more positive as some improvements have been made and they do appear to be listening. Timescales are a point of contention (from a personal perspective), however it is understandable that they can't commit to things that are still in development or are still being planned. I think I can say that transparent proxy is on the roadmap but in what form or cost is still to be decided. On another positive note they appear to be close to sorting the inability to do file transfers to the Council without a BGFL connection.

 

Not sure if I have seen enough to convince me to stay on BGFL at this time but they have a couple of months to change my mind.

 

Also those of you that were unaware of the load balancer change make sure that they have your contact information.

[Alis_Klar]

@Alis_Klar from what I got yesterday.

they are allowing schools to migrate to O365 free to do it by yourself, or you can pay link2ict to do it.

features such as Email Filtering would be on Microsoft side but really it would be down to you and the school.

 

I thought they were moving everyone over to O365 as they Stopped half way through migrating schools from Zimbra 5 to 8. I thought they abandoned the migration as it wasn't worth the pain if schools were to be soon using O365 anyway.

[foofighterjim]

I thought they were moving everyone over to O365 as they Stopped half way through migrating schools from Zimbra 5 to 8. I thought they abandoned the migration as it wasn't worth the pain if schools were to be soon using O365 anyway.

 

It is true that the Zimbra migrations have stopped however some schools are happy with what they have got in Zimbra (5 or 8). So the decision was made to make O365 available on request (and at cost if you would like Link to migrate for you). It ultimately comes down to them not being able to force people to use O365. They still need to provide for those schools that aren't lucky enough to have people like us working for them.

[eshaq786]

Decision on FCS for schools outside BGFL is to be expected before next years subscriptions are out. The subs will be out in December. Lots of stuff about firewall and mcafee producing reports but irrelevant to me as I am no longer on BGFL. Stuff about firewall can recognise applications which they can create rules for from my understanding. They will also be offering FTTC as an option now.

[Little-Miss]

you having fun down south? :-)

 

I am thanks!

[MrPstv]

Link2ICT

Network Managers

and School Technicians Event

 

When: Wednesday 6th May 2015

Where: Centrelinks House, Talbot Way,

Small Heath Business Park,

Birmingham, B10 0HJ

Time: 12.30pm – 3.30pm

 

http://www.link2ict.org/index.php/component/dtregister/?controller=event&task=options&Itemid=99999&eventId=955

Edited March 13, 2015 by MrPstv

[stevenlong1985]

only half day??

[MrPstv]

I know!!

Half day!

No din dins!

Was looking forward to a spread!!