NJSL Hub Libraries

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NJSL Hub Libraries

• Several tasks and consultations contributed to
  the overall review
• Infrastructure review visits and reports
• Design meetings with Verizon and Sprint
• Qualitative feedback from public libraries
• The overall design had not been seriously
  revisited for 7 years

2
NJSL Hub Libraries Program

• Hub library program provides internet access to
  over 300 public library entities
• The goal of providing access has been
  accomplished focus now directed toward services
  and network stability and efficiency
• Hubs have done an admirable job of providing
  services with limited resources
• Hubs have been valuable partners with NJSL to
  implement and maintain this program over the past
  7 years

3
Current Hub Library Configuration
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Current Hub Library Issues

• There is no network, no redundancy, many points
  of failure
• There is significant waste inherent in the
  current hub system
• Duplication of effort, costs
• Lack of vendor leverage
• There is no uniformity of service with the
  current configuration
• No mechanism for measuring quality of service

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Current Hub Library Issues

• Current configuration does not allow us to take
  advantage emerging technologies
• There are many more connectivity options now than
  there were 7 years ago
• There is substantial demand from the field for
  expanded services
• Hub library services have not evolved with
  technology needs due to very different hub
  structures that made reaching consensus on a new
  service direction difficult

6
Hub Program Options

• There are essentially two ways to improve this
  system
• Invest additional time and money in the existing
  configuration
• Reconfigure the infrastructure to increase
  efficiencies
• There are no additional funds available for
  option 1
• Option 2 can provide for a more efficient use of
  taxpayer money, thus NJSL has decided to pursue
  option 2

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Future Infrastructure Considerations
Goal To design and implement a stable, scalable
infrastructure from which to deliver and expand
technology services to libraries. The new design
includes three points of presence (POPs) One POP
in each of the three NJ local access transport
areas (LATAs) Redundant connections between
POPs Three different ISP backbones to the
internet Close to 100 expected network uptime
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• Current Core Services
• Internet access
• Web site hosting
• E-mail hosting
• Anti-virus protection
• Basic technical support

• Expanded Core Services
• Anti-spam protection
• Domain name services
• Router maintenance/insurance
• Firewall/Intrusion protection

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• Planned Optional Services
• Help desk
• Network management/reporting
• Domain registration
• Dial-up access

• Planned Optional Services
• Data storage and backup
• Disaster recovery
• Technology consulting
• Project management

10
Transition Issues

• Each library will be contacted to discuss
  specifics related to the transition to the new
  network
• Public IP addresses will change these will be
  made available to you at least one month in
  advance
• Statewide database vendors, Jersey Cat and
  JerseyClicks will be notified of the entire NJSL
  IP range for all libraries that connect to the
  new statewide network
• Libraries may need to contact other vendors with
  new IP assignments for authentication

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Transition Issues

• New Cisco 1841 series routers and Cisco 2950
  switches will be provided to libraries that have
  older Cisco gear
• Libraries may choose to manage routers themselves
  or have the NJSL Technology Services organization
  manage routers
• All routers will be self-insured by NJSL with
  next day replacement of failed equipment
• Mail accounts and web sites will be moved to new
  servers in colocation facilities

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Transition Issues

• Dedicated project transition team from Verizon
• Will utilize existing Access NJ circuit
• Verizon circuits will be remapped from the
  existing Hub to the new statewide network
• Old hub and new mapping will exist concurrently
  until new network connectivity is tested and
  approved
• No financial burden to libraries
• Access NJ circuit is not required to take
  advantage of most other services

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Communication

• Technology services staff on call 24/7 for urgent
  issues
• Help desk staffed during library hours
• Toll free help desk phone number
• Web-based help desk system login provided to each
  library
• Network and services supported by full-time NJSL
  dedicated staff as well as consultants
• Hubs have agreed to cooperate with the transition
  as part of their 2006 contracts

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E-mail Service FAQ

• E-mail accounts for library staff and up to 10
  generic aliases
• 100 megabyte mailbox size limit
• Choice of managed or unmanaged e-mail
  administration
• Anti-spam and anti-virus protection is provided
  on all e-mail accounts
• Special situations/exceptions regarding size
  limits considered by request

15
Service FAQ

• Domain choice register/keep your own or use
  njlibraries.org domain for e-mail/web
• Web hosting on Red Hat Linux servers MySQL
  databases supported, 1 GB size limit
• Windows web hosting option will be available
• Complete web site access via FTP
• Each library will receive an initial 8 public IP
  addresses
• Special situations/exceptions considered via IP
  justification form

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Service FAQ

• 24/7 monitoring for device and circuit faults
• Intrusion Protection System will block malicious
  traffic, hacking, attacks on network
• Network management modules can isolate network
  problems to the device level
• Bandwidth utilization reports can be provided for
  your circuit
• Alerts can be provided via e-mail when a router
  or circuit is down
• Discounted server hosting available by
  arrangement

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Timeline

• Verizon circuit completion date is October 17
• Cisco will then install, configure and test the
  network for approximately two months
• Migration of libraries to the new network will
  begin around Christmas
• Migration will continue through June of 2006
• NJSL and volunteer libraries will move first
• Independent libraries will be the first group
• County libraries and consortia members will follow

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Discussion
Questions, Comments, Concerns? Other feedback
related to the plans Details, FAQ and this
presentation at www.njstatelib.org Contact Rob
Zangara [phone] rzangara_at_njstatelib.org