About Systems Administration

Systems Administration provides the technical support for the Data Center and all UNIX systems housed in it. This Unit:

  • Coordinates the installation of new (to the Data Center) hardware.
  • Monitors UNIX system performance and performs capacity planning.
  • Diagnoses UNIX hardware failures and coordinates vendor support.
  • Installs and/or applies new UNIX system micro-code and UNIX Operating System releases/patches/fixes.
  • Troubleshoots UNIX system micro-code and UNIX OS-related problems.
  • Implements/enforces security policies/procedures for UNIX systems.
  • Installs/monitors intrusion (and virus) detection tools on all UNIX systems, establishes the appropriate response in the event of an attack, and acts.
  • Develops/tests/implements/maintains backup/recovery procedures for all data files.
  • Develops/tests/implements/maintains Disaster Recovery Plans for all systems.
  • Provides problem resolution assistance for all users - usually in concert with other IS Groups and/or other OIT Divisions.
  • Develops/documents administrative policies and procedures.

Data Center Operations ensures that the Data Center is monitored 24x7 by on-site operations staff. These Operators - following detailed procedures and/or scripts - regularly check the environmentals in the Data Center, the status of all equipment, and whether or not selected systems (such as the MIX and the IVR) are available to users. The procedures/scripts, developed by operations staff or in conjunction with other IS personnel, define what action(s) is(are) needed if conditions in the Data Center are found to be outside the acceptable range. Recently, fast action by the Operator on duty, when the building air conditioning failed, averted a meltdown and the loss of the Data Center for an extended period of time.

The Systems & Operations Group also provides Technical Architecture Consultation to any WVU organization needing help in sizing a server or designing a 'data center'. Requests for this service must be made through the Group's Assistant Director. Once the requirement is fully understood, a team will be built from staff in IS and, as necessary, other OIT Divisions to ensure all aspects of the request can be addressed.

Our Mission

To anticipate and service the computing needs of the University by offering a full-service academic and administrative computing environment; provide a variety of system support and consulting services to educate and orient users who wish to take advantages of the services offered; lead by example in the implementation of best practices, automated systems and state-of-the-industry methods in the areas of environmental and security controls, and other systems administration and data center disciplines.

Goals
  • Provide rapid problem resolution and assistance for users.
  • Provide planning, implementation, and integration services to IT units, end-users, faculty, staff and students across all campuses.
  • Facilitate the development and evolution of the data center through adoption of new technology, capacity planning, implementation, integration of systems, and security practices.
  • Increase and maintain system reliability through redundant data center hardware and software maintenance, repair, and replacement.
  • Ensure a secure data center environment through active monitoring of physical systems, internal network, and data center environment.
  • Assure a successful revival of campus systems through maintenance, testing and implementation of the data center Disaster Recovery Plan in conjunction with a second off-campus data center site.
  • Maximize utilization of server resources by tuning the systems to their optimal performance, according to best practices/standards.
 

Updated October 23, 2007