6D. Technical Infrastructure:
DELIVERY

Key Concepts

introduction
networks
  concerns
  speed
  trends
monitors
  evaluation
  image quality
printers
  technologies
  evaluation

NETWORKS: KEY CONCERNS

Compatibility may still be a problem at some institutions. Although the Internet's communications protocol TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) has become ubiquitous, legacy protocols are still in use at some institutions. Check with network administrators to be sure your plans are compatible with the existing network.

Reliability is another concern. Network outages reduce productivity and frustrate users. Although the reliability of network hardware has improved in recent years, failures still occur. Some older networks have "grown like topsy" and are a patchwork of different technologies, cabling, and hardware. Fragmented responsibility for network administration also undermines reliability.

Internet Security is an escalating concern (see, for example, CERT statistics, for a summary of the trends). Image servers are subject to security breaches, potentially jeopardizing access by legitimate users or leaving data vulnerable to malicious deletion or modification. System and network administrators may propose remedies such as firewalls, special monitoring software, or requiring authentication of all users. Some security measures can be onerous, either because they require specially skilled personnel to maintain or because they restrict access to your materials more than you would like. Institutional policy may constrain what choices you have, but become familiar with the options.

Expense may or may not be a significant issue. At some institutions, you will simply plug your equipment into existing networks and be on your way. But if your undertaking requires a major network upgrade or a new type of connection to the Internet, expense can be substantial. Testing is key, and it may be necessary to scale back your plans to something that the existing infrastructure accommodates.

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