Attachment 1
Technical Architecture Overview
Core Technology Services Technical Environment
In overview, Core Technology Service’s (CTS) technical environment consists of Windows based
desktops, MacBooks, and a variety of server platforms connected via an IP based network. Desktop
support is provided by CTS. Brief descriptions of components are provided below.
Desktop Environment
The NDUS CTS/System Office desktop environment is comprised of a mix of Windows-based and
MacOS-based laptops. We support both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, as well a number of recent
versions of MacOS. We have standardized on Lenovo and Apple for these machines. Users are issued
two monitors, a docking station, and a spare laptop power cord. Each machine is managed using
Microsoft’s SCCM (for Mac and PC). Our standard antivirus software is Microsoft’s System Center
Endpoint Protection.
Email Environment
The NDUS CTS/System Office Email Environment uses Microsoft’s Office365 cloud email service.
Users can access their email from their laptop using the Outlook client (2010 or 2013 for Windows,
2011 for Mac). O365 clients are also available for mobile devices such as iPads and phones, or users
can access their mail through a web interface. Office365 also supplies instant messaging and
collaboration with Lync and SharePoint.
Hosting Services
CTS supports 700 servers with approximately 550 virtualized instances. Systems are X86 servers
running Windows & Linux. All hosts are located in 45u racks with dual 3-phased monitored power outlet
units. Ninety-nine percent of the systems have redundant power and network connections.
In addition the datacenter hosts a high performance Linux cluster and InfinniBand with its own NAS
Storage System.
Storage Services
Storage is provided with two SANS. One is a 300 TB SAN with six controller nodes supporting 16 GB
Fiber Channel and 10 GB SCSI connections. The other is a 48 TB SAN with two controller nodes
supporting 8 GB Fiber Channel connections. 48-port switches with 8 GB transceiver modules support
fiber channel connectivity between SAN and hosts.
Data Backup
IBM’s Tivoli Storage Manager provides backup services.
Network Services
CTS provides and supports local area network services for the new datacenter on the UND campus.
LAN segments are a mix of 1 GB and 10 GB switched Ethernet networks, configured with redundancy
for high availability. North Dakota Information Technology Department provides the wide area network
services. The core of the WAN consists of a 10 GB Ethernet ring, with a point of presence located
within the datacenter. A central help desk supports end-users; this service is available 24x365.
Directory Services
CTS provides multiple Active Directory network domains that provides NDUS with a single network sign
on. In addition, CTS provides multiple LDAP directory services for public facing applications.
EDMS Environment
Many NDUS institutions are in the process of migrating to ImageNow document management
Attachment 1
Technical Architecture Overview
Miscellaneous Supported Systems
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PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, HRMS and Financials
Oracle Identity Management System
Blackboard Learning Management System
Multiple SMTP servers