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We are in the process of migrating data from our existing two-node file server cluster (CausewayCauseway2), which provides the Users (U:/F:), Depts (O:/G:), Courses (P:/K:), Campusapps (M:), and the media storage volume used by a few departments to a new system. We have built a new LinuxWindows-based Novell Open Enterprise Server cluster, which is using our new networked storage arrayfile server cluster to replace the Novell Linux cluster we've been using for the past few years.
One big change is that we will no longer be relying on the Novell client. In fact, we're going to switch campus computers to use the Microsoft networking protocols with the Novell servers, and then switch which servers are handling your files as we migrate the data. Our goal is to make this as seamless as possible,
Individual volumes, as the data is migrated and tested, will be switched out over several weekends in the near future. Please check the link below for the current dates.
There are going to be some changes. The highlights:
- Microsoft's file permissions system is very different than Novell's. The Novell tool we are using to move the data over preserves file trustee assignments as well as it can, but some of the behavior you see may be different, especially if you have given others access to subfolder in an otherwise private folder.
- The Microsoft servers do not support Apple's AFP protocol. Anyone using a Macintosh will have to connect with SMB.
- There are name (and IP address) changes.
- We are rolling out a replacement for Netstorage, used for off-campus file access, using a product called HTTP Commander. There is a quick introductory document. After January 30th, you should go to https://myfiles.drew.edu to use the new product. Netstorage will be unable to retrieve files from the new servers.
- Once it is switched over, the Courses volume will now appear as drive letter T: on Windows PCs
- Depts (O:) is being split into two volumes - Depts (O:) and Progs (P:). The volume was becoming too large, and reorganizing it became necessary. The folder that goes with your primary departmental affiliation will still show up as the G: drive.
- Users (U:) is being moved over as one volume for now. In the near future, Student accounts will be moved to a StUsers (S:) volume. At all times, your personal folder will still map to drive F: on a Windows system with the Novell client.
- We've added an "OLDATTIC" volume (R:) for data from older semesters.
- There are also name (IP address) changes.
Click here for a list of the current active volumes, drive letters and network names.This will have an effect on how Macintosh users and Windows systems without the Novell client not managed by Drew connect to the file servers. The Depts volume reorganization is geared towards keeping the volume to a manageable size for backup and recovery purposes. The split is somewhat arbitrary, but falls along functional lines. Departments that have administrative functions (including the Deans' offices), committies, etc. are going to stay on the new Depts volume at drive letter O:. Largely academic departments and programs will move to the new Progs (P:) volume. Again, the folder (whichever volume it is on) that matches your primary departmental affiliation will continue to show up as drive G: One reason for keeping the administrative units on Depts/O: is the amount of documentation and campus-wide emails routinely telling users to find forms and information on O:\suchandsuch.Our detailed documentation for the Macintosh will be updated as the network drives are shifted over to the new servers.
Monitoring and tuning
This is a major change to our file server environment, on which many other services depend. While many of the changes to you will be cosmetic (drive letter / server name changes), the behind-the-scene changes are significant. The systems have been extraordinarily reliable over the summer, but we may need to go through another round when the system is under full load as the academic year Spring semester begins.