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Network Services Team (NST)

Meeting Minutes - 3/18/97

Last meeting: 3/5/97       Next meeting: 3/25/97

 
 
1. Securing email (particularly via Netscape):
 
   Can we prevent users from sending email via Netscape (in other words, prevent
   someone from sending email using another person's email identity).  Dave and
   Justin pointed out that it is not possible to protect SMTP-based email from 
   such misuse.  We would have to revert to VMS mail, or an equivalent service, 
   to offer such protection.
 
 
2. Email distribution lists:  
 
   The issue is whether or not we should be more proactive about providing email 
   distribution lists rather than allowing anyone to send messages to larges 
   email lists that they have personally created.  Recently, staff received 
   email from Al Robinson about a biology search and from John Massaro about a 
   pre-law program.  Also, users tend not to suppress their lists (using the 
   BCC: field) and so lists are being picked up and used by others and 
   contribute to the overall size of the message being sent out.
 
   If we used the Geneseo model ("gatekeepers" for specific lists), then who 
   would manage the currency of the email lists and how?
 
   Carm suggested we look into the possibility of preventing any message from 
   being distributed to x number or more users.  The sender would get a messge 
   indicating who they should contact about distributing their email.  Dave will 
   look into whether this is technically possible.
 
   For now, Bob will send a message to anyone who does not suppress their email 
   distribution lists and explain how to do so and why.  He will also discuss 
   this issue in the next ISD Directors meeting.
 
 
3. Acquiring additional DID telephone lines:
 
   Garnet suggested that we acquire additional DID lines for modems only.  
   Justin pointed out that if we used these DID lines for the 8 business-use 
   only modems, then dial-in users for these modems would not get a busy signal 
   due to DID lines being busy.  A busy signal would simply mean all modems are 
   in use.
 
   If we purchased 265-xxxx DID lines for the modems, there would be other 
   factors to consider such as billing, troubleshooting via NYNEX, etc.  Brenda
   did *not* feel that taking 8 lines out of the campus DID pool would help 
   alleviate the busy-signal problem for telephone callers.  She will check on
   the cost of 8 lines and report back on this at the next meeting.
 
   Justin pointed out that our campus is not able to support 28.8 modem access.  
   Modem access steps down in speed.  Brenda will investigate whether this is a 
   campus-based problem or one through our local CO.
  
 
4. Year 2000 Compliance:
 
   No one felt any of our services will be impacted by the change in century 
   dates; that is, for our network components, telephone switch or servers.
 
 
5. Network Services coverage:
 
   Bob distributed copies of notes from previous discussions on this issue.  We
   will discuss this in depth at the next meeting (see agenda below).
 
 
6. Lapsing funds items:
 
   - analog cards for the switch ($5K each)
 
 

References: