Washoe Country School District
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WCSD MS/Exchange Conversion
WCSD MS/Exchange Conversion Communication
As every user of the Washoe County School District network already knows, we have been using Novell NetWare for user authentication (logins), file storage, and to house our network based applications. We have also been using Novell GroupWise as our email system.
Starting in November and going through September of 2011 the district will be going through a conversion to the IT infrastructure. We will be moving from a Novell server based environment to a Microsoft server based environment as well as moving from the Novell GroupWise email system to a Microsoft Exchange server email system, using Microsoft Outlook for our email client.
There are many reasons for this change, some which are:
- We currently pay for licensing for both Novell and Microsoft. Switching to one platform removes the additional burden of paying for two systems.
- Novell NetWare is no longer a supported operating system by Novell. Novell has shifted to a Linux based server solution which does not handle many of the applications we use in the district or will use in the future.
- As stated above, moving to Microsoft allows us to use our current applications and to be compatible with future application purchases.
- In the case of middle and high schools where there are currently four or more physical servers, we will be replacing those with one physical server running multiple virtual servers. These servers will be more powerful and efficient than all of the current servers combined. The district can save upwards of $60,000.00 a year on energy costs alone by doing this.
- Supporting only one system will remove much of our network and desktop administration complexity, thus improving customer service and the user experience.
- We will be adding many new features as part of the conversion that will allow both staff and students to take greater advantage of the technology we use.
- We will also be implementing centralized storage of email and email archives. This will eliminate the need for users to manage email archives and their locations or to worry about losing them in the event their desktop crashes.
In relation to the last item above, now would be a good time to start cleaning up your email archives and mailboxes. Once we do a migration of your inbox and email archives, anything in them will become a permanent document associated with your account/username. If you have a lot of email jokes, newsletters, personal email, etc. that you do not want to become a part of this process or they are just taking up unnecessary storage space, now is a good time to get rid of it.
For all schools and sites that have software programs you are currently running other than your Windows operating system, Office, and GroupWise, now is also a good time to start gathering the actual software and any related licensing information. This goes for locally installed programs as well as network installed software. We will need the software before IT can convert your school or site. This will also help you with lead time if you have a Novell version of something and need to get in touch with the vendor to get a Windows version. There is also a possibility that even if you have a Windows version we will need a newer version to be compatible with our new servers. In some instances there is a chance that older software will not be compatible with either the server or workstation upgrade.
It is not an understatement to say that this project will touch everything and everyone connected to the Washoe County School District network. We will be migrating 70,000 users and user directories, and 7,500 email accounts. We will be rolling out over 400 new Windows servers and moving every application in the district to the new servers and reimaging all of the district’s 21,000 computers. Between this and the IC conversion almost everything we currently do today will be done differently after the conversion. While this sounds Challenging at first the changes will allow us to do many positive things and support the students and staff of the district at much higher levels and ensure lower response times through remote capabilities. It also opens the door to many things we are currently unable to do with our technology investments.
There will be more information to come over the next few weeks and months to keep everyone updated on the progress of this project and when you can expect the changes to come to your school or site.
