What’s next?
Planning for Tomorrow's
Hardware, Software and
Communications Technologies
Introductions
Introduce Speaker
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Marshall Breeding
Library Technology Officer
Vanderbilt University
Introduce workshop participants
Agenda
Introductions
Library Automation Trends
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ILS
Managing Electronic Information
Digital Library Initiatives
Network Technologies
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Wired
Wireless
Workstation and Server Guidelines
General Discussion
Library Automation Trends
Integrated Library Systems
Technologies for managing
access to electronic information
Tools for creating digital content
Integrated Library System
Automates the routine operations of the
library
Circulation
Cataloging
Web OPAC
Serials control
Acquisitions
Business Trends
A sketch of the current business
landscape
Competitive marketplace
No single company currently dominates
the market
Diverse mix of Large and small
companies
Fragmented market
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8 companies selling to medium to large
libraries had more than 50 sales in 2004
Companies are diversified
ILS revenues alone are not sufficient to
fuel the growth of the industry
Companies offer a diverse array of
products and services
Products
Core Library Automation System
Legacy Systems
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Maintenance revenues important
Supplementary products
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MetaSearch
Reference Linking
Content Enhancement
Electronic Resource Management
Institutional Repositories
Digital Library Systems
Library Services
Maintenance
Training
Consulting
Custom Development
Bibliographic Services
Industry Health
Strong revenues
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Minimal real growth this year
Dependent on constrained library
budgets
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Federal, State and Local tax revenues
allocated to libraries
Continued pent-up demand
Deferred upgrades and migrations
Market Forecast
Increases in revenues expected as the
inevitable legacy migration cycle
completes.
3000+ libraries running legacy systems
Most companies expanding toward new
international markets
School districts remain a fertile market
A Market of Migrations
Very few new automations except for
very small libraries
Very large numbers of libraries continue
to operate legacy systems
New generation systems are mature
Deferments generally economic not
technological
Library Trends
Factors that impinge on library
automation
Competing with Google
Libraries struggle to maintain and gain
ground lost to search engines, online
bookstores and other resources/services
on the “free Web”.
Library automation systems and related
products need to help libraries offer
services that will draw in patrons.
Constrained Budgets
See above!
Conservative market
Very few lateral moves
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Flagship -> Flagship
Most stay with current vendor
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The cost to upgrade is almost always less
than the cost to buy new.
Strong competition for the migrating
customers
Consortia
More libraries are choosing to join consortia
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Enhanced resource sharing
Automation costs less expensive per institution
More efficient use of technical resources & staff
Well supported by network infrastructure
Funding agencies often see efficiencies in
funding a single central system versus
multiple standalones
Consortia – ILS concerns
Scalability: the aggregate size of the
ILS implementation not as much of an
issue now as in the past.
Massively scalable hardware
Multi-tier client/server well suited for
large-scale implementations
School Libraries
School-by-school automation: Out
District-wide automation: In!
SIF: System Interoperability Framework – the
ILS needs to work well with other
administrative systems
Support for standardized reading programs
Strong interest in access to selected Internet
resources
Public Libraries
Resource Sharing paramount
Reciprocal borrowing
Automated notification systems
E-commerce
Academic Libraries
Tools for managing electronic resources
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Back-end: ERM
Front-end: MetaSearch, Reference Linking
Courseware Integration
Portal integration
Tools for building local digital collections
Institutional Repositories
Technology Trends
What are the current characteristics and
trends seen among the library
automation products?
Mature systems
Fewer points of differentiation in core
ILS features
Standard set of feature expectations set
by library community – RFPs
Extending ILS interoperability
Library-specific protocols:
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Z39.50 support has been mandatory for
years
ISO 10160/10161 support key for resource
sharing
SIP2/NCIP: essential for interoperability
functions needing item and patron data
Extending ILS interoperability
Standard business framework
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Web Services or Service Oriented Architecture
 WSDL – Web Services Description Language
 SOAP – Simple Object Access Protocol
 UDDI – Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration
(directory services)
 XML assumed throughout
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SRW: (Search Retrieve Web Services)
 Z39.50-like searching in a Web Services framework
Extending ILS functionality
New boundaries for functionality
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Books handled well already
Better automation for electronic resources
 Licensed Databases
 E-journal Content
 Other full-text resources
Focus on Electronic Resources
Reference linking
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OpenURL
MetaSearching
Electronic Resource Management
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Extend Acquisitions to handle subscriptions
for e-content
Network Technologies
Network Basics
A review of basic concepts and
terminology
Ethernet
802.3
CSMA/CD
Governs Media Access Rules
Network Hardware
Components
Hubs
Switches
Routers
Network Interface Cards
Network Operating Systems
Unix (Solaris, Linux, HP/UX, AIX)
Windows (NT/2000/XP/.Net)
Novell Netware (legacy?)
Network Client Software
Largely built into desktop operating
systems
TCP/IP
Primary Network Protocol
TCP/IP Protocol Suite
User
Programs
Reliable
Transport
Datagram
Delivery
Physical
Connectivity
Telnet
FTP
SMTP
LPR
TCP
NFS
DNS
bootp
UDP
IP
Ethernet, TokenRing, SLIPP, or PPP
Ping
ICMP
TCP/IP Configuration Details
IP Address
Subnet mask
Gateway/router
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Automatically configures network client
for TCP/IP communications
DHCP servers provide only a temporary
lease on a configuration set
ipconfig: /release, /renew, /all
Wide Area Networks
Connects facilities separated
geographically
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Different from LANS
Leased vs. owned media
Largely displaced by commercial
Internet Service Providers
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Virtual Private Networks
Library WANs
A necessity in earlier times to provide
connectivity among library branches
Commodity service
Today mostly handled by commercial
ISPs
Digital Circuit Bandwidth
Name
Bandwidth
Cost
DS0
64K
DS1/T1
1.54 Mb/sec
$400/month
DS3/T3
44.73 Mb/sec
$4,500 / month
DS4
264 Mb/sec
DSL
Up to 1.54
MB/sec
$50-200/Month
Optical Bandwidth
Name
Bandwidth
Cost
OC1
51.84 Mb/sec
OC3
155.52 Mb/sec
$9,000/month
OC12
622 MB/sec
$20,000 / month
OC48
2.488 GB/sec
$80,000 / month
OC192
10 GB/sec
Local Area Networks
Wired Networks
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High capacity enterprise infrastructure
Wireless
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Extends LAN and Internet to mobile users
Infrastructure
Cable Plant
Routers
Firewalls
Switches
Hubs
Application servers
Media options
Fiber Optic
Copper cabling
Wireless
Fiber Optic
Highest capacity
Highest security
Highest expense
Preferred media for
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Internet infrastructure
building-to-building connectivity
Internal connections among wiring hubs
Copper Cabling
Copper prevails for most in-building
networks
Unshielded Twisted Pair
Level 5
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Up to 100mb/sec Ethernet
Level 6
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1 GB and higher
Network hierarchies
In-building LANS
Building-to-building infrastructure
Data center infrastructure
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High-speed connectivity to serviers
 100mb -- yesterday
 1GB -- today
 10GB -- soon
Internet and private network connectivity
Wireless extensions to mobile users
Wireless basics
Uses radio frequency transmission over
the air instead of network cabling
Stable and reliable technology
Increasing in popularity in business and
home computing
Wireless Hardware
Access point
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Functions just like an Ethernet hub
Shared media
8-16 port versions
Receiver Network Interface Card
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PC Cards for Laptops
PCI for Desktops
PDA versions available
Bandwidth capabilities
802.11b offers 11 mb/sec
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Current standard
2.4GHz band
802.11a will deliver up to 54 mb/sec
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Future standard
5GHz band
802.11g
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Alternate future standard
Backwards with 802.11b
Wired vs. Wireless bandwidth
Wired networks will always be faster
100 mb/sec Ethernet common for wired
networks for desktop computers
Ethernet switching available for wired
networks
1 GB/sec common for servers and highperformance workstations
10 GB/sec available for fiber networks
Wired networks offer higher
performance
“Despite the steadily increasing speed of
wireless technology, wired networks will
always outperform it by long strides.”
“…wireless applications will flourish in places
where mobility takes precedence over
performance or where physical cabling is
especially problematic”
Balanced perspective
Wireless technologies have limitations
Does not supplant need to install
copper and fiber network cabling in new
buildings
Wireless Coverage
Varies according to building
characteristics
Works best in open areas
Book stacks often too dense and can
present barriers
Configuration issues
Most use DHCP
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Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Session initiation and configuration
usually completely transparent
Cost Issues
Wireless access points slightly more
expensive than Ethernet Hubs
Wireless NICs slightly more expensive
then Ethernet cards ($100+)
Cabling needed only to the Access point
Wireless Security Issues
Implementing a wireless LAN
without compromising your
network
Security concerns
Eavesdropping a major concern
Unprotected wireless access points are
an easy of entry for mobile hackers
Positioning your wireless
network
Wireless LANs generally exist on the
network edge point
Wireless LANs should be considered
untrusted
Positioned outside the organization’s
firewall
Hardened core remains protected
Encryption necessary to
ensure security
Wired Equivalency Privacy (WEP) built
into most access points
WEP often not enabled
WEB can be defeated by sophisticated
hackers
Provides a barrier to most potential
intruders
Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
A technology that offers strong security
Common approach for remote users that rely
on accessing organizational resources
through the Internet
Applicable to wireless users on premises
Enhances security / adds inconvenience.
Avoid wireless technologies for
sensitive networks
Not appropriate for networks that carry
confidential or sensitive information
Protect core network services with
internal firewalls
Library Applications
Using wireless technology in
libraries
Part of campus wireless
infrastructure
It is becoming increasingly expected
that students will have wireless access
to their laptop computers throughout
the campus.
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Dorms, Classrooms, Labs, Libraries.
Wireless laptops
Provide access to library resources to laptops
brought into the library by patrons
Library supplied laptops can supplement
public access workstations
Offer library users more flexibility and
convenience in access resources throughout
the library
Computer labs
Mobile labs can be used for training an
outreach sessions outside the library
Training labs in the library that can be
set up and dismantled on demand.
Staff applications
Remote circulation tasks
Tracking in-library use of materials
without having to take them to a
circulation desk
Inventory
PDA’s can be used instead of PCs or
Laptops
Cell Phones
Many have Internet access
Libraries may see future demand to
make their services available to cell
phone and other small wireless devices
Current demand limited
Interfacing with Cell Phone
services
WAP – Wireless Application Protocol
WAP Gateways part of wireless
provider’s infrastructure
WML: Language used for delivering web
pages to wireless users.
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Ulta-light HTM
WAP access to Library
Catalogs
Some vendors offering support
Examples:
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Innovative Interfaces offers AirPAC
Summary
Wireless networking offers network
access to many new environments and
applications
An increasingly important supplement
to existing network infrastructure
Not a panacea for all network
communications needs
Hardware Technologies
Finding the best values in desktop
workstations and server hardware
Desktop Hardware
Constantly shifting environment
Incremental improvement each year
Hardware performance improves at about the
same rate as software requirements increase
Current software always performs poorly on
previous generation of hardware
Multimedia computing
Constant need to upgrade hardware
Principle of Penultimatacy
“Next to last”
Cutting-edge performance usually beyond
library budgets
Buying on the low end results in short
lifecycle
Buy toward the high end of business class
desktop models
Prices drop dramatically as models roll into
mass production commodity market
Business vs. Consumer
systems
Avoid brands and models that target
the home consumer market
problems with consistency and support
Today’s target Desktop
system
2GZ+ processor
40GB+ Hard drive
256MB + Memory
DVD drive
CD-R drive
Built-in Ethernet
Monitors
CRT’s cheap
Flat panels more expensive but
increasingly popular
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High quality display
Smaller desktop footprint
Servers
Avoid using desktop systems for
network servers
High performance
Redundant components
Built-in RAID
Multi-processor systems
Rack-mount
Security Issues and concerns
High level of attack
Overt hacking
Worms
Viruses
Spam
Denial of Service attacks
Multi-tiered strategy
Network level
Server security enhancements
Workstation-level security
Enterprise – Network level
security
Protection of the network at the edge
Firewalls
Automatic inspection-detectionprotection of application data
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E-mail
Web traffic
E.g. TrendMicro
Server security
Operating system and all applications
must be up-to-date with all security
patches applied
Vulnerabilities will be exploited
No acceptable margin of error
Workstation Security
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No longer the first/only line of defense
Computer-by-computer security extremely
labor intensive
Anti-virus software
Personal firewalls
Library implications
Libraries increasingly rely on IT departments
Rarely tenable for libraries to run their own
mail systems
Security concerns increase the need for highly
qualified IT management of library servers
and applications
Need to find balance between security
precautions and open access to information.
Discussion