We are using Citrix XenDesktop Provisioning Services to deliver a streamed operating
system image to our lab and classroom PCs. This technology, which is also known
as Dell On Demand Desktop Streaming (ODDS), was originally developed by Ardence.
One image is shared across an entire lab of computers in a read-only mode, eliminating
the need for anti-virus or Deep Freeze. The image is streamed as needed, which helps
keep network traffic low.
We are also using Citrix XenApp to stream applications to our virtualized lab and
classroom desktops. This allows us to have a shortcut to specialized software available
on every computer, while using software metering tools to keep in compliance with
licensing. New software can be deployed in a matter of minutes, and it automatically
publishes to every computer without the need to install it one-by-one.
For more information on why virtual computing may be valuable to you, visit
our enterprise solutions offering.
The CBA IT Services team hosts a variety of conference registration applications.
The Nebraska Summer Writers Workshop, UNL Great Plains conference, UNL College of
Architecture Job and Internship Fair, and several other similar activities are all
hosted by our group.
We provide a detailed level of conference options for our clients and also handle
some of the customer service needs that go along with online registration.
One of CBA IT Services more successful online applications is our online auction
style listings that we developed to help sell UNL surplus items online. The site
is used to provide on-campus transfer of surplus merchandise. If the goods do not
sell they are then placed on Ebay.
In addition to setting up an administrative side that allows users to easily transfer
local auctions to Ebay style listings, we are also working with outside Universities
who would like to have the site customized for their institution.
The CBA IT Services group has developed a variety of online testing tools in the
Economics arena to provide a setting for students across America to compete with
their peers. The online system facilitates student learning at a distance and has
been used by over 20 states nationwide.
Administration of the system by teachers throughout the country lets them customize
their tests and gives students a more individual experience as they compete.
UNL students can now login to a system developed by CBA IT Services and look for
employment targeted exclusively to them. Administration of the site by UNL staff
is easily updated by either manual entries or by entering detailed spreadsheets
into the system.
The student login system is authenticated with the student's blackboard accounts
and helps ensure that only UNL students have access to the jobs. Our group has a
variety of applications that have been built with similar authentication.
When the UNL College of Business prioritized their faculty research as needing to
have more public exposure, the CBA IT Services group created the first online Research
Library of its kind on campus. The current Research Library allows faculty or administrative
staff to easily update new research into the system.
The system also allows outside users to easily search or browse through the materials
to locate the latest offerings from the College. In addition to traditional research
papers, the Research Libary also highlights conference papers and books authored
by CBA faculty.
The UNL College of Business Administration web site is the most comprehensive college
web site at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The site contains information specific
to the college and is also home to the college's five core departments. Additionally,
the web site features student pages, special programs, centers and additional resources.
Although designed within the university-wide web template, the CBA site expands
upon the template by integrating content management tools that allow faculty and
staff the flexibility to update their own web profiles and research. The site dynamically
pulls and facilitates quick updates of social media, news feeds, upcoming events,
and other key content pieces to enhance the experience for both content providers
and visitors to the site.
The CBA IT Services team currently utilizes Microsoft's Hyper-V R2 for server virtualization.
Some of the key features of support with Hyper-V include high availability, live
migration, a clustered file system, VM management through a web browser, physical
to virtual migration, as well as supporting both Windows and Linux virtual machines.
Our system runs a 2 node Hyper-V R2 cluster connected to a Equalogic SAN. The nodes
are managed with the Virtual Machine Manager.
The image provided on this page presents a model of the basic elements in a Hyper-V
environment.
For a more detailed analysis of
Microsoft Hyper-V vs. VMware vSphere check out the following white paper
which also contains general information regarding virtualized server environments.
