Re: [802SEC] FYI email on critical network equipment purchases
Bob,
While I support replacing broken or failing equipment, it needs to be
done in compliance with IEEE financial rules. At the closing EC meeting,
one concern raised was that the equipment RFQs were being done for
bidding on a specific vendors' products (e.g. Acme 3599 switch) rather
than based on a statement of the required equipment specs (e.g. managed
switch with 8 type x ports and 2 type y ports or Acme 3599 switch or
equivalent). What is being done to address that concern for this
equipment purchase?
Regards,
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: ***** IEEE 802 Executive Committee List *****
[mailto:STDS-802-SEC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG] On Behalf Of Bob Heile
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 7:32 AM
To: STDS-802-SEC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG
Subject: [802SEC] FYI email on critical network equipment purchases
Importance: High
Dear EC Colleagues
This is not about Rome if that is any relief. This is an FYI email on
some
critical equipment purchases for the network that are being made as a
result of discussions with Paul, John Hawkins, and Buzz.
This critical item got lost in the rush at the end of the Friday
meeting,
namely some critical network maintenance items that were part of the
larger
package of networking equipment that we did not have a chance to address
and approve. In hindsight, this should have been separated out to begin
with but unfortunately it was not Since it will now take longer to
discuss
and approve the entire package it is now a problem, given that we have a
large interim in January that may not have a network unless this is
addressed not to mention having a network that works on Orlando.
Specifically, Newton, our primary server, is broken. It does not always
boot when turned on and has needed deracking, disassembly and liberal
doses
of stroking and mystic incantation to get it to start on occasion. Not
a
good situation. Griffin, our doc server is not far behind. Also, as we
discovered in September, running key new applications like the IMAT
attendance software on our production network server is not a good idea
since it is possible for an application fault to take down the
server. Applications such as these should be run on their own server.
We need to replace Newton and Griffin ASAP, before the gear is needed at
the Jan Interim of 11, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 in Taipei or we may not
have a network there. Given that the January interim is also the next
big
IMAT trial, it makes sense to get and configure the application server
at
the same time. IMAT is part of our collective future.
We also need to replace the 20 eight port switches we got for nothing
several years ago and which are now failing. Getting 10-12 of those now
at
least insures we can get a functional network.
In discussing this with Paul, John H. and Buzz, John indicated he can
spend
up to $15K between meetings to cover situations like this. The total
cost
of the 3 servers and 10-12 switches is less then that. We all thought in
the spirit of transparency we should give everyone a heads up on the
what
and why.
The proposal we did not get to discuss sufficiently in Atlanta is also
recommending that as part of the basic maintenance of the networking
equipment that we replace all 20 switches and mirror the on site servers
with another trio which would be permanently based in Portland. Rather
than do that now we will address those additional 3 servers and the
balance
of the switches as part of a revised broader package. For now we are
focusing only on replacing what is broken and in time to insure we can
support the January Interim in Taipei and be in good shape for Orlando
in
March. By then I trust we will have had an opportunity to review and
approve the balance of the package.
Let me (or John or Buzz) know if you have any questions.
Bob Heile, Ph.D
Chairman, ZigBee Alliance
Chair, IEEE 802.15 Working Group on Wireless Personal Area Networks
11 Louis Road
Attleboro, MA 02703 USA
Mobile: +1-781-929-4832
email: bheile@ieee.org
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