Information Systems & Audio Visual Overview

Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools
Amherst Public Schools
Pelham Elementary

Department of Information Systems

Jerry Champagne, Director of Information Systems
Paul Normando, Network Analyst
Jacqueline Metelica Brzezinski, Systems Software Analyst
Brian Ecclestone, Senior Computer and AV Technician
David Wheeler, Administrative Assistant
Doug Slaughter, Software Support Specialist
Michael Caporello, Computer and AV Technician
Jean Langevin, Database Specialist

Our Network

Our network spans three districts and ten buildings. All the buildings except Pelham Elementary are connecting with a gigabit fiber optic connection. Pelham Elementary is connected using a point-to-point-to-point wireless connection that goes from the school to the top of the UMass library and then to the Amherst Town Hall. There is also a redundant T1 line from Pelham Elementary to the Amherst-Pelham Regional Middle School.

The Department of Information Systems is located in the central office area of the middle school. This area houses most of the personnel and the majority of our servers. There are 26 network servers located in IS, soon to be reduced to 22. There are three servers located in the high school MDF (Main Distribution Facility) and two servers in the Pelham MDF, soon to be consolidated into one. These servers run a mix of operating systems, Primarily Novell Open Enterprise Server on Netware, but including Novell Open Enterprise Server on Linux, Windows Server 2000 and 2003 and VMWare ESX server. The VMWare ESX server is our first attempt at hosting multiple virtual servers on one physical host. If this proves successful, we plan to consolidate servers further, leveraging the power of new hardware to reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint. We use Novell GroupWise for our email, calendaring and collaboration solution. We manage the systems using Novell ZenWorks. We ensure CIPA compliance and provide internet content filtering using an Astaro Security Gateway 525.

During the renovation of the Amherst-Pelham Regional Middle School, the Crocker Farm Elementary School and the Pelham Elementary School in 2003-2003, we were able to consolidate the phone systems in nine buildings into one centralized system. This system is located in the IS space in the middle school.

We currently have approximately 1500 workstations, over 400 phones and over 150 network printers connected to our network. All professional staff, secondary students, central office staff have network and email accounts. Many other staff members and some elementary classrooms also have network and email accounts. The workstations all run Windows XP and have Office 2003 installed. We use Sophos AntiVirus for the servers and desktops.

Our Software

    As mentioned above, our primary network operating system is Novell Open Enterprise Server (OES). All network authentication is handled by OES. OES provides all file and print services. Novell GroupWise is the district chosen email, calendaring and collaboration solution. Novell ZenWorks provides all desktop management functions, including application delivery and workstation imaging. ZenWorks makes it possible for only four people to manage 1500 computers in nine buildings.

    Internet content filtering is performed by our Astaro Security Gateway, which authenticates users against Novell eDirectory. Everyone is filtered as required by CIPA. Email filtering is currently provided by our ISP, but this will move in-house as of May 2008. AntiVirus/Adware/Malware protection is provided by Sophos AntiVirus. Internet access is via a 25 Mbs connection via fiber to Crocker Communications in Springfield.

    Workstations run the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. There is a Novell client and ZenWorks agent installed to provide network access. Various Windows utilities are installed, including, but not limited to:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Sun Java runtime
• Apple Quicktime
• Adobe Flash and Shockwave
• Winzip
• Microsoft Photo Story
• Power DVD
• Roxio Media Creator or equivalent

 We have many administrative software packages in use. Some of these are: 

• PowerSchool (Student Information System)
• Kronos (Human Resource System)
• Snap (Health Management)
• Versatrans (Transportation)
• InfoCentre (Library Management)
• ConnectEd (User Notification System)
• StudyIsland (MCAS prep)
• Cognos Data Warehouse
• eSped (Special Education management)
• Hirsch Velocity (Building Security)

 Additionally there are numerous other programs available on the network. Access and availability are determined by role and building.

Our Phones

     All administrative spaces and many classroom spaces have a 3Com NBX phone. These phones use the network as a backbone, which eliminates the need for dedicated phone lines. Once a phone is provisioned for a user, it can be moved to another location (once IS has been consulted and approved, more on why in a moment) and all settings follow the phone. All phones are part of the E911 service. Enhanced 911 allows emergency personnel to locate the exact room from which a call originated. To do this, we provide a list of extensions and their physical locations. That’s why IS needs to be consulted prior to moving a phone, so that we may update the E911 list. Voice mail is provided to most staff, not just those with a physical phone. Each building has phones available for staff to retrieve voice messages. There are emergency and power failure phones in all buildings.