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March 21, 2005
Dr. David Hayhurst
Dean, College of Engineering
San Diego State University
Campus
Dear David:
In response to your request to provide you with information regarding the proper backup of our Unix-based computer systems, I have prepared the following statement.
Rationale. Several faculty in the college operate Unix servers, which provide the webserving required by faculty active on teaching and research on the web. The Unix servers were institutionally backed until 2002, when the license expired and the related equipment was insufficient for the growing installation. Currently, the hardware (jute box) is in place, so that all that is required for a proper backup is the software. Yet, for the past three years, the College has dangerously operated without a backup for its Unix systems. Continuance of this situation will jeopardize the lifetime work of many faculty members, who have their data deposited on the servers operated by the college.Please let me know of you need additional information or details. It is absolutely essential to perform institutional backup of our main servers if we are going to remain in business.Need. There is an urgent need to restore and upgrade the backup services to the Unix servers operating in the college. The alternative, to do nothing, will seriously jeopardize the ability to perform effective work by the affected faculty. In the event of disk failure, and in the absence of a proper, automatic and frequent, backup, the faculty would be left without recourse.
Proposal. To purchase the software needed to support the backup of all the Unix-based systems currently operating in the college. The quote for this system, for 40 licenses, including Unix (Sun) and Irix (SGI) capability, is $12,150. Alternatively, the cost for 10 licenses is $8,725. Chris Paolini has a copy of the actual quote from Sun.
Sincerely yours,
Victor M. Ponce
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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