Author: Dale Poulter

LTDS July 30 – August 3 2018

Although the web refresh is in production and we have gone live with Alma,  the team continues to work on both systems.  The team is also reviewing additional projects that have been on hold.  A few of the items that LTDS worked on last week are below.

  • Alma/Primo (Nancy, Jamen, Tao)
    • added missing holdings records
    • EDI profile creation
    • continue work adding users
    • procedures for adding batch records
    • Adding and reviewing work orders
  • Digital Collections (Nathan, Judy, Scott)
    • Several items digitized for publications
    • Continued to add items to the repository
    • Upgrade Islandora Modules
    • Reviewing the DIL operations in comparison to Washington University’s lab
    • Began preparation for Discovery Gardens review of our configurations
  • Web (Jodie and Matt)
    • Several projects related to the staff directory
    • Continued to review methods to optimize the website
  • ETD (Nancy)
    • During the migration,  processing ETDs were slowed down. Work to resolve the back log is proceeding
  • 3D Lab (Scott)
    • Moved and performed some maintenance on the printers
  • Other items (All)
    • Responding to various Inform tickets
    • Adding documentation for the web site,  Alma/Primo, and other projects
    • Investigating power options in Baker
    • Continued to work on printer/scanner issues

 

LTDS Last week (July 23-28)

 

Alma, PrimoVE, and the web refresh went live  Monday and Tuesday!  Although these activities we the highlight of the week,  the team also worked on several additional items including the issues below.

  1. Circulation transactions in Alma are duplicated
    1. Caused by some transactions not loading correctly during the final switch over.  Ex Libris is working on the solution.  We expect this to be resolved within a week
  2. Duplicate charges appearing in user accounts
    1. This is the same issue as #1 and should be resolved within a week
  3. Missing holding and item records
    1. Some of the items and data (<0.3%) did not migrated correctly.  Many of these can be corrected in an automate method but the fix needs to wait until the circulation transaction issue is resolved (#1).
  4. Web site access strangeness
    1. The majority of these issues were caused by the DNS changes and were corrected within 24 hours as the various DNS servers were updated.  At least one issue was caused by the storage issues across campus (see #6) but has been resolved.
  5. Unable to connect to Acorn/Workflows to verify information
    1. This is a side effect of the storage issues on Wednesday.  It appears that the indexes were corrupted which we are working to resolve now (thanks Jamen).
  6. Non-responsiveness of the Lectionary, ETD, DiscoverArchive, Digital Collections news online, public website (indirectly),  and other applications
    1. Caused by a campus storage issue on Wednesday and has been resolved.
  7. Some public computers (virtual computers) not responding or unable to login
    1. Caused by the storage issue (#6) and should all be respond now.
  8. TVNews Standard Definition SnapStream server in the Baker server room
    1. The issue originated with a blown transform across from Baker.  Once the power was restored, the UPS in the server room did not respond.  This is the only remaining server in Baker and is in Baker due to the cable connections.  The system is now running but we are working on a permanent solution.
  9. A few printers with scan to email functionality stopped sending email.
    1. A side effect of the web refresh, web server migration.  Most (all??) of these issues have been corrected.
  10. Various Alma items
    1. The implementation team is working to update the configuration in various areas of the system.   Many of these changes had been in pre-production but added after June 27th.  As a result, the change need to be made again in the system (many thanks to Jake, Michael, Mary Ellen, Tao, Nancy, and Jamen for quickly starting the edits).

What happens with my links to books and searches in Alma?

I have links to books and searches in Acorn.  What happens when we migrate from Acorn and DiscoverLibrary?

Many people have created links using the options available at http://acorn.library.vanderbilt.edu/help/ to use in training materials as well as permalinks from DiscoverLibrary and to FindIt@VU (SFX) resources.  LTDS has created several redirects that will allow these links to continue to work after we go live with Alma/Primo.    We believe that these redirects will handle the majority of links to resources.  However,  if you encounter a broken link please submit an INFORM and we can review the issue.

We have attempted to simulate the type of links in the new system.  A full list of the current type of redirects is available at https://ltds.library.vanderbilt.edu/primo/primo-acorn-sfx-redirects/ .  Please let me know if you have any questions about the type of redirected searches or if we have missed any links.

 

ILLiad upgraded on May 20th

The ILLiad server was upgraded on May 20th after discussions with ILL.  The timing of the upgrade was moved up in order to allow ILL (Central ILL, Law, and Biomed), the ILS Implementation team, and LTDS to work on integration with Alma.  The upgrade went well and most clients were updated without any incident (right mouse click on the icon an select run as administrator).  LTDS has received a couple of issue reports since the upgrade.  The initial issue with sending out notifications has been corrected.  We are still investigating an issue when attempting to view library information in the OCLC Holdings tab.  We hope to have this resolved shortly.

Please contact LTDS if you have any questions or concerns.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) in the Libraries

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) in the Libraries

 

  • What is VDI?

VDI utilizes a desktop computer to run software located on a remote server.  This is the emerging campus standard, it is being implemented as the libraries move to VUIT desktop support for our public computers.

  • Why is the University adopting VDIs?

The goal of the VDI program is to reduce the overall costs of desktops across the University.  As the Library has continued to increase support for digital initiatives, library staff available for desktop support has decreased.  Utilizing the service offered by VUIT allows the public machines to be replaced and maintained on a regular cycle.

  • What are the advantages of using the virtual desktops?

Since the software runs on a server, additional software can be added more quickly.  Changes to the software configuration can also occur more quickly since staff do not need to touch each individual computer.  Some campus libraries require specialized applications on their public workstations, the virtual server environment supports that.  Lastly,  the virtual desktop uses approximately 10% of the power that a physical desktop uses.

  • Will this service be expanded to other staff workstations?

At this time, there are no plans for VUIT to support staff or service desk computers.  VUIT will also not support laptops that are circulated.

  • Why does it take so long to log into the desktop?

The first time a user logs into a machine the must create a new profile.  This will only occur once for a user in each library location.   Initial logins can take as long as 4 minutes.  Subsequent logins in the same library will be much quicker, often under 30 seconds.  If a user goes to a different campus library with a different virtual machine configuration, they will again experience the initial 4-minute profile building login.  Within one library this should be a one-time event.

  • What other initial setup issues will patrons see?
    The first time a user opens an application on a virtual desktop they will see some setup and installation messages for that application. On the very first login, they can expect to see a Pharos installation message.  Once that is accomplished, all printers in that library should be available from within any application, as they were before.

 

  • Does the user have the ability to customize their ‘virtual desktop’?

The virtual machines will work similar to the deep-frozen machines.  Any data saved will be removed when the user logs off.  Users should save their information to a network drive or a USB drive.

 

  • Will the workstation timeout?

Yes, the workstation will timeout after 15 minutes of no activity.

 

  • Should the VDI workstations be turned off at night?

No,  the workstations can remain on.

 

  • Who do I contact if changes are needed?

Please submit an INFORM as you would in the past.

 

  • Who do I contact if a problem is encountered?

Please submit an INFORM.  However, you should also report directly to VMDP.  When reporting to either LTDS or VMDP please include the full ID number which is listed just under Vanderbilt Information Technology (CLN-BQNH5J2 in the example below) on the label in the front of the machine.

 

  • What about the older Mac workstations?

Currently, only the PCs will be replaced.  The discussion to replace the Macs is ongoing but will not move forward until after the PCs are replaced.

 

  • The CD-ROM stations have not been replaced, will they be upgraded?

The CD-ROM workstations are not in scope for this project.  LTDS is currently planning on replacing these machines.

 

  • Who do I send comments to about the new system?

Send comments to ltds-comments@list.vanderbilt.edu

 

Network outages Monday January 15th

Several people reported issues when attempting to access anything online on Monday.  The problem was caused by an issue with one piece of network hardware.  The problem with the hardware was corrected in less than 2 hours.  VUIT takes network outages very seriously and were able to isolate and correct the issue quickly.

If you experience connectivity issues,  please call LTDS.  The Library is often one of the first areas to notice a network issue so quickly reporting the issue is helpful.

Welcome to the LTDS website

Welcome to the LTDS website.   LTDS has created this site to share additional information about LTDS team members and some of the current projects that Library Technology and Digital Services are involved .  We will also post information about system issues and security warnings, technology tips, and other technology related items.

A few of the featured pages are:

  • System Status  :This provides current uptime status for our public facing systems
  • About :  Lists some of the key services and responsibilities of LTDS
  • About –> Team : Shows the organizational chart for LTDS and lists the team members
  • Current Projects :  Provides a list of many of the LTDS projects.

Please let us know if you have any questions or items you would like to see covered in future posts.