Body
Issue / Question
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When does Windows Maintenance happen?
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Why are the campus computers undergoing maintenance?
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Are maintenance interruptions planned?
Environment
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Platform
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Audience Affected
Resolution
Standard Maintenance Windows
Regular procedures must be performed on Information Technology systems to ensure they are properly maintained. Many of these maintenance procedures require interruption of services for the duration of the procedure. Systems include services such as software applications, servers, voice, video, and data communications, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), wireless networking (WLAN), Internet, and Internet2. Campus locations include Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, and Meridian.
Due to the size, complexity, integration, and convergence of ISU's IT systems, three weekly maintenance windows are required to maintain ISU's IT systems properly. Maintenance may include repairs, installations, upgrades, testing, patches, and other processes and procedures that may cause limited or no access to IT system resources. During the scheduled maintenance window, you may experience anything from slow response, limited access, or no connectivity, or you may experience no interruption whatsoever.
Standard Maintenance Windows
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Time Period
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Type of
Maintenance
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Services Possibly Affected
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Tuesday 11 PM - Wednesday 6 AM
(Mountain Time)
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Servers
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Servers, operating systems, and server applications such as MyISU, university web pages,
Banner, logging into ISU services, etc.
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Wednesday 11 PM - Thursday 6 AM
(Mountain Time)
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Networking and Telecommunications
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Voice, video, and data communications, LAN/WAN/WLAN, Internet and Internet2, and other
services that require network access, such as MyISU, calendar, or email from on campus,
university web pages, Moodle ISU, Banner, Box access from on campus, or logging into services.
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Thursday 11 PM -
Friday 6 AM
(Mountain Time)
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Enterprise Applications
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MyISU and Banner Systems
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Thursday 11 PM -
Friday 6 AM
(Mountain Time)
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Servers
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Moodle ISU
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Note: Maintenance that impacts instruction on systems such as Moodle and the network may also be restricted to "Emergency Only" during Final Exam periods
Exceptions to the Standard Maintenance Windows Times
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Type
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Justification
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Maintenance that is for emergency and time-critical repairs
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May be performed outside of the normal maintenance windows.
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Maintenance starting before or extending beyond standard maintenance windows
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If approved by ITS and in consultation with key functional personnel
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Maintenance that ITS does not anticipate the need to use the standard schedule on a regular basis
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If approved by ITS and in consultation with key functional personnel
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Non-Standard or Emergency Maintenance
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Type
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Justification
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Emergency and time-critical maintenance or repairs
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May be performed outside of the normal maintenance windows and performed with minimal or no prior notifications
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- Note: There may be occasions during an emergency or time-critical event where notification may be made after the maintenance procedure has been completed.
Other Information
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ITS will continue to send the ISU community an e-mail message when a planned maintenance activity may cause a significant outage or occur/extend past the normal maintenance window.
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Off-campus providers (such as Internet or telecommunications providers) may have different maintenance schedules which are outside the control of IT.
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Localized outages, with the agreement of local building administrators, may occur outside of the normal maintenance windows.