Enterprise Systems Support (ESS) is organized into five functional areas: Computer Operations, Systems Programming, Network Engineering, Managed Workstation Development, and Network Security. ESS is primarily tasked with the responsibility of developing OS builds, maintaining the server infrastructure, supporting and operating the mainframe, supporting and operating the server systems, designing and supporting the network infrastructure, providing timely alerting and proactive responses to infrastructure threats, and providing central creation of user access accounts. ESS performs the above mentioned tasks for the purpose of supporting enterprise wide applications such as Internet access, PeopleSoft, administrative and student mail systems, student registration system, general access lab servers, and security and alerting systems as relates to the network . ESS also provides development and technical support of common systems such as the Directory structure, tape-back-up solution, and auditing systems.

Please refer to the Information Technology Resources Acceptable Use Policy and System Access and Security Policy (SASP).

Network & Application Access

Computer Access is responsible for issuing computer user logonids to faculty, staff and students, allowing access to University computer systems. The logonids are automatically assigned to students when they register for classes. Faculty and staff logonids give them access to eDirectory for authentication and the GroupWise e-mail system, and are automatically assigned at the time they are entered into the Human Resource System. Additional access may be requested by completing the Computer Access Request Form on the ITS HelpDesk web page. Appearing below is an explanation of the various fields appearing on the form.

Computer Access Request Form Field Explanations

Classification:

Applicants must meet the criteria of Enterprise Systems Support when applying for authorization to use computer resources. Applicants are required to be Faculty/Staff, Retired Faculty/Staff, Graduate Student or Undergraduate Student at Northern Illinois University.

Resource Code:

Primarily used by computer lab attendants, lab supervisors, teaching assistance and students authorized to finish an incomplete course. Resource codes allow access to various applications within the specified computer lab.

Expiration Date: Required when resource code is requested.

Teaching Assistants: Course # is required.

NIU Web Site Administration Only:

A CORN account is issued to users responsible for maintaining a web site for NIU business. Space size must be selected and a monthly fee is billed to the department listed above.

Enterprise Access:

MVS/TSO/Wylbur is an interactive environment on our IBM mainframe that provides users with the facility to develop programs, enter data, run small interactive jobs and run batch jobs with JCL. The ability to run interactive jobs allows users to transfer files to and from the mainframe and to access remote systems on the Internet using telnet and FTP. Since TSO and SuperWylbur share the same MVS file system, files uploaded to TSO are also available in SuperWylbur. The major statistical and data analysis packages are available through batch processing.

Financial Management System is for Administrative use only.

Human Resource Information System is for Administrative use only.

CICSPROD is for Administrative use only.

Computer Access Authorization:

The electronic form must be forwarded to the department head or their designee for authorization. The department head is instructed to approve the form by hitting the reply button, which then sends the form to logonid@niu.edu.

Media Storage Management is responsible for managing, storing, and protecting all University data entrusted to Computer Operations. This includes providing tape backup on various platforms, operating in a 24 x 7 environment. An off-site facility is used to store copies of critical data and backups of files to assure recoverability in case of a disaster. Tape media storage is provided at the central facility, supporting the import and export of data and programs necessary to both the administrative and academic computing environments. The Storage Librarian assures standards for quality and maintenance of media. Assistance is also provided in the use of the automated tape and disk management systems, to ensure that data is not unintentionally destroyed, or needlessly kept past its useful life. Assistance is also provided in copying tape files to disk, disk files to tape, and obtaining temporary DASD space for special projects. In order to control and assure the timely import and export of information, a Media Control Form is required to register tapes with Computer Operations. Refer to Media Control Form instructions for guidance on completing the form.

Equipment Operations

Equipment Operations provides for the installation, operation, and maintenance of mainframe and minicomputer systems in a distributed processing environment, in the University’s central computer facility. In addition, it is also responsible for Computer Output Services, which offers standard forms for general purpose use. A Xerox DP96 laser printer provides 8½" x 11" cut sheet and three-hole punched output. An impact printer supports special forms available for special applications (e.g. mailing labels, multi part paper, high quality paper, no-hole 8½" x 11", etc.). An index to all forms and output control information can be found in the Computer Operations Guide, which is available for user consultation and application development.

Production Control

The Production Control area is the University’s central data processing center for scheduled mainframe job processing and enterprise applications. All scheduled job processing and operational support, including the implementation of new jobs, scheduling responsibilities, and completion, are handled through this office.

All administrative and academic job processing requiring extensive machine resources, unique or special operational support must be scheduled with the Production Scheduler in Production Control. The scheduler coordinates scheduled production with the appropriate division within Computing Facilities. Refer to Production Service Request Form instructions for guidance on how to complete the necessary Production Service Request Form.

Examples of extensive machine resources include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mainframe CPU time requests greater than 20 minutes per job.
• Printed output greater than 25,000 lines.
• Elapsed time greater than one hour.
• Dependent job stream execution involving multiple department processing.

• Special processing, including output processing (e.g. checks, labels, special forms, etc.) of any size, requiring direct operations attention or intervention.

For administrative users, the Production Control area also performs program librarian functions, manipulates sequential files between PCs and the mainframe, and maintains production job run JCL and documentation.

Support

Trouble, issues, or questions relating to network security, acceptable use, student lab operating system support, eDirectory, Internet connectivity, network, dial-in services, or server support can be directed to the ITS HelpDesk by phoning (815) 753-8100. The HelpDesk will open a ticket for the call. Based on a triage of the call, the request for assistance / support will be entered into a tracking system and forwarded to the appropriate support tier and technician(s)..