The School of Communication and Information (SC&I) technology infrastructure consists of a fiber infrastructure and gigabit switched Ethernet environment. The
curricular and research needs are fulfilled by a suite of VMWare virtualized Windows-based and Linux-based servers. SC&I also utilizes multiple instructional
and research dedicated RAID arrays for a combined storage capacity of 36 TB. These servers accommodate all the projects, storage, and applications used for the
research and teaching needs of this community. They run on the latest UNIX, Linux, and Windows operating systems, and many of the tools and utilities used are
developed at SC&I. The process of maintaining system and perimeter security, complying with university privacy and security policies, and system maintenance
are the portfolio of the SC&I IT staff.
All SC&I buildings have a wireless 802.11n wireless LAN. Eleven classrooms have built-in electronic podiums for using computers and mobile devices with a
built-in LCD projector for the display of computer multimedia. All SC&I classrooms are enhanced with the latest technologies to provide for an enhanced
teaching environment. The rooms have permanently integrated desktop systems and presentation devices enabling instructors to demonstrate many of the
technologies the students are expected to use.
The computing facilities include three dual-purpose classrooms and laboratories. One facility can be used as a large classroom/computing laboratory or can be
subdivided by a built-in sound suppressing partition to provide for two separate independent facilities. Each facility has a ceiling-mounted projection system
controlled separately or used in tandem when the partition is open. There are 65 desktop systems and two mobile carts of 20 notebook systems each, available
for teaching and research. When not in use by classes, many of these computers are available for use by individual students and for extended research projects.
There are nine high-definition plasma displays in key teaching and research locations throughout SC&I facilities. Each high-definition plasma display has
a SmartBoard overlay installed and can be used with a mobile whiteboard that can be attached to any plasma or LCD projector. These SmartBoards enable
interactive whiteboard functionality. The SmartBoards can be manipulated to control applications or write in digital ink. The interactive whiteboards utilize
precision touch screen technology to ensure that image quality is preserved. The digital ink can be recorded and stored.
