About Us

UNC Asheville's ITS division consists of three distinct units:  User Services, Administration Information Systems (AIS), and Networks and Systems.  While we work closely together, each unit is responsible for a different area of the university's IT needs.

User Services

User Services provides a wide range of technical services to the university. Faculty, staff, and students are likely most familiar with our end-user support services including the ITS Help Desk, Faculty/Staff Technical Support, and ResNet/Student Technical Services. In addition to user support, User Services is also manages the over 1500 computers and 1000 printers on the UNC Asheville campus. Through the Computer Refresh Program and CPI, User services upgrades and replaces approximately 1/4 of the computers on campus each year.

User Services offers assistance to university departments with IT-related purchasing and also manages several site licenses for campus software, some of which is available for personal use. 

Technical management and support of the approximately 110 smart classrooms and 15 computer labs also falls under User Services. By the start of the 2011 calendar year we will have completed a four-year project in which the base technical infrastructure of all smart classrooms has been completely replaced with equipment which will provide a solid foundation upon which to expand technology in the classroom.

Additionally, User Services manages the virtual infrastructure upon which most of the university's servers run. We also provide systems administration services for both Windows Server systems and Mac OS X Server systems. Since 2007 we have grown from around 20 "stand alone" servers to over 90 servers running in a virtualized environment.

Administrative Information Systems (AIS)

AIS is responsible for implementing software solutions to meet the enterprise needs of the university.  This unit is expert in evaluating vendor solutions, project management, and the integration of purchased software solutions with existing applications.  The staff is involved with the administrative division offices and are advocates for continued improvement in the use of technology to support business needs.  The key services that are provided by AIS can be found within the Enterprise Applications.

The staff of AIS wear many  hats and usually work on several projects simultaneously.   The following highlight some of the ongoing endeavors in support of the management of university data assets:

• Enterprise Applications in support of Student Information, Finance, Human Resources, Payroll, Alumni, Development, Financial Aid and Identity Management
• Development of the Drupal framework as well as web interfaces to enterprise databases
• Development of portal services for Students, Faculty, Employees and Development Officers
• Development, integration and maintenance of ancillary systems
• Development and maintenance of reporting dashboards and reporting tools
• Management and archiving of institutional data\

Networks and Systems

Networks and Systems has two primary areas of responsibility -- the campus networking infrastructure and central core systems.  "Networking" involves design, implementation, maintenance, support and enhancement of the campus network. This includes the physical network infrastructure, network electronics, network management tools, bandwidth management, security and firewall management. A combination fiber optic and CAT5e UTP backbone provides switched Ethernet connectivity to all campus offices, classrooms, and residence hall rooms in addition to a high speed link to the external Internet. Currently a limited wireless network is in place with an emerging campuswide expansion planned targeted to be active in early 2011.

 "Systems" includes systems management, systems programming, operating systems and hardware maintenance for specific central core servers.

• Network Implementation and Support
• Systems Programming/Management
• Hardware Maintenance
• Operations

Network Implementation and Support

Networks and Systems manages the campus network, a fiber optic backbone that connects all campus buildings and provides high-speed connectivity to all spaces on campus where people live, learn, and work -- residence hall rooms, classrooms, offices, and common areas.

Networks and Systems initially planned and implemented a true campus network in the summer of 1998. The entire campus was wired with multimode and singlemode fiber optic cabling between buildings and CAT5 UTP copper cabling within each building. This supported an OC3 ATM based campus network providing 155MB fiber based connectivity between buildings and 10MB switched Ethernet to all desktops, computer labs, classrooms and residence halls.

During the spring and summer of May, 2002 a significant network upgrade was designed and implemented as part of the 2001 state bond referendum for higher education. Two remaining buildings were brought up to the campus CAT5e wiring standard and a new Gigabit Ethernet backbone was installed. This new design provided Gigabit Ethernet bandwidth between campus buildings and upgraded all desktop, lab and residence hall connections from 10MB to 100MB links. In addition, new monitoring software, bandwidth management and a security firewall were put in place.

A major network related project currently underway is an improved and expanded campus-wide wireless implementation targeted for completion in early 2011.  Stay tuned for updated information. 

Systems Programming/Management

Networks and Systems performs systems programming/management for several different central core server platforms. These core servers support campus services such as: domain name service, user authentication, network, administrative, and student services. 

Networks and Systems installs new systems software releases and recommended patches on the central core systems, implements security procedures for system files and application programs, monitors and enhances system performance, and installs and maintains a number of third-party systems software packages, including several networking software packages.

Hardware Maintenance

Systems and Networks is responsible for hardware maintenance of the central systems and associated peripherals, and of the centralized networking hardware. The group keeps track of maintenance contracts and arranges service to equipment as necessary.

Operations

Networks and Systems staff oversee daily and weekly backup of the central core systems, archiving/restoration of file systems, and maintenance of the backup environment.

Operations staff, under the direction of the AIS group, perform the backups and other required administrative afterhours processess.