WHAT:
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Providing a managed -Linux-based- computing environment with a diverse software suite, accessible to the community and available throughout campus and via remote login servers. Athena's primary purpose is to provide support teaching and learning. |
HOW:
Athena provides software and services utilizing custom-configured client workstations, network filesystems and servers maintained by FSX, OIS, ISDA, SIPB and DLC staff.
- Access to a suite of software, both commercial and open source, and a consistent environment in which to run it, utilizing AFS Lockers, software license servers and software Ubuntu packages maintained by FSX and ISDA, with OIS running the backend servers. Additional software is provided by DLCs primarily utilizing AFS Lockers
- A software wrapper service to track and control usage of selected software maintained by OIS.
- An environment of "lockers" that makes it easy to rapidly deploy and maintain software and course environments
- Allow end-users to install any desired additional Ubuntu packages (temporarily, in the case of public cluster machines)
- A consistent (standardized) computing environment that faculty and instructors can use to assign problem sets and expect consistent results utilizing Athena workstations (cluster & private) that are maintained by FSX.
- A collection of public computing spaces and kiosk-type workstations across campus utilizing Ubuntu Linux on desktop PCs Athena client computers maintained by FSX.
- Electronic classrooms utilizing the Athena configuration containing Athena public cluster workstations maintained by FSX.
- Shareable File Storage utilizing AFS Lockers maintained by OIS.
- Remote Filesystem Abstraction using Lockers (Hesiod Filsys entries) maintained by OIS.
- Web Publishing Space utilizing AFS Lockers and Apache Web Servers maintained by OIS.
- Printing to cluster and dorm printers utilizing LPRng maintained by OIS.
- Remote access to computing facilities utilizing Athena Dialup Servers maintained by OIS.
- An easy way to install a variety of Athena "flavors" over a standard Ubuntu installation utilizing DebAthena packages developed and maintained by FSX, OIS and SIPB, including among others:
- debathena-cluster suitable for public cluster machines (controlled and fully managed by FSX, OIS and SIPB)
- debathena-workstation suitable for private workstations (managed by workstation owner, DLCs)
- Account and Service Management utilizing Moira maintained by OIS.
- Client/Server Directory Service utilizing Hesiod and LDAP maintained by OIS.
- Instant Messaging and Chat Rooms utilizing Zephyr and Jabber maintained by OIS and ISDA (please confirm).
- Single Sign-On utilizing Kerberos maintained by OIS.
- Maintenance and Renewal of Spaces utilizing people in FSX.
Additional Details
Alex's write up on Software
Next Steps
- Review within FSX
- Review with ISDA and OIS - Jon Reed to setup in time for report back to CSS Leaders on 10/14/2009