B. Summary of IT in use 
(Experimental Nuclear Group, excluding Larry Dennis's Cluster).

 1. Various Workstations.  Two using Open-VMS and two using Digital Unix
   (AKA Tru64 Unix).  Each of these functions as a mail server for a
   some subgroup (although, this function is declining).

 2. Approximately 60 PCs used in various capacities, including:

  a. Three used for monitoring and controlling accelerator related equipment,
     running specially written (user developed) software on Linux or MSDOS.

  b. Seven used for monitoring and controlling data acquisition using 
     specially written (user developed) software on Linux or MSDOS.

  c. One Linux based PC as a mail server.

  d. Five Linux based PCs as data analysis servers, having specially written
     software and access to tape drives and/or expanded disk space for
     analyzing experimental data.  Two of these are dual processor PCs.

  e. Three general office PCs running Microsoft NT or Windows2000 with
     Acrobat and Microsoft Office Professional.

  f. Nine faculty PCs with an assortment of configurations to suit their
     various research and classroom missions, including dual boot 
     (Windows 2000 and Linux) PCs.

  g. Five Staff PCs.  Primarily running Windows NT (one Linux) and individual
     software packages supporting their functions, ie. CAD packages like
     EE-designer.

  h. Remainder of PCs have Linux installed on them, and are used primarily
     as X-terminals for students on student desks, and in various other
     places in the lab.

 3. Three network printers, one terminal server, approximately one hub in
   each lab space (approx. 7).

C. Planned IT projects (Excluding Paul Eugenio's expansion).

  1. One additional Compute/Analysis server using Linux, running a mixture
     of analysis programs, including Spectcl, an analysis package
     developed at MSU.  Preliminary estimate: $5000.

  2. Continued installation of a data acquisition server, for acquiring and
     processing nuclear data obtained in the Tandem/Linac Laboratory.
     While the primary server is a copy of the National Superconducting
     Cyclotron Laboratory's (NSCL at Michigan State University)
     'SpectroDaq' server, local modifications are required.  An additional
     $15000 may be spent on equipping this further.

D. Key Concerns and Issues.

  1. Flexibility.  
   a. While many networking functions could be taken over,
      quick response to meet special situations is essential.  As an example,
      a 10-base-2 network cable (RG58 coax cable) had to be replaced in
      favor of 10-base-T network cable in an experimental area due to 
      a ground loop problem experienced by sensitive equipment in that area.
      This is something that has to be able to happen with little or no
      advance scheduling.

   b. Reallocation of resources.  Computing resources are frequently
      moved or reassigned in a sometimes unpredictable fashion.

  2. Support for unique IT needs.
   a. Installation, and maintenance of specialized analysis platforms.
      Software written by users, or collaborators of users at other 
      laboratories, like Root (PAW), Radware, Jinware, SpecTcl, Blue, etc.

   b. Data acquisition and equipment control.  Development and control
      staff, faculty, and students.

  3. Exclusivity/Security.  Independent dialups provide a way to discriminate
     outside access to sensitive servers by faculty and staff from the general
     student body.

  4. Student training.  Computers, as a research tool, requires 
     skills that experimental students need to gain, often in programming,
     and to a degree, system management.