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Re: [802SEC] FYI email on critical network equipment purchases



Bob,

While I support replacing broken or failing equipment, it needs to be
done in compliance with IEEE financial rules. At the closing EC meeting,
one concern raised was that the equipment RFQs were being done for
bidding on a specific vendors' products (e.g. Acme 3599 switch) rather
than based on a statement of the required equipment specs (e.g. managed
switch with 8 type x ports and 2 type y ports or Acme 3599 switch or
equivalent).  What is being done to address that concern for this
equipment purchase?

Regards,
Pat

-----Original Message-----
From: ***** IEEE 802 Executive Committee List *****
[mailto:STDS-802-SEC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG] On Behalf Of Bob Heile
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 7:32 AM
To: STDS-802-SEC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG
Subject: [802SEC] FYI email on critical network equipment purchases
Importance: High

Dear EC Colleagues

This is not about Rome if that is any relief.  This is an FYI email on
some 
critical equipment purchases for the network that are being made as a 
result of discussions with Paul, John Hawkins, and Buzz.

This critical item got lost in the rush at the end of the Friday
meeting, 
namely some critical network maintenance items that were part of the
larger 
package of networking equipment that we did not have a chance to address

and approve. In hindsight, this should have been separated out to begin 
with but unfortunately it was not  Since it will now take longer to
discuss 
and approve the entire package it is now a problem, given that we have a

large interim in January that may not have a network unless this is 
addressed not to mention having a network that works on Orlando.

Specifically, Newton, our primary server, is broken. It does not always 
boot when turned on and has needed deracking, disassembly and liberal
doses 
of stroking and mystic incantation to get it to start on occasion.  Not
a 
good situation.  Griffin, our doc server is not far behind. Also, as we 
discovered in September, running key new applications like the IMAT 
attendance software on our production network server is not a good idea 
since it is possible for an application fault to take down the 
server.  Applications such as these should be run on their own server.

We need to replace Newton and Griffin ASAP, before the gear is needed at

the Jan Interim of 11, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 in Taipei or we may not

have a network there. Given that the January interim is also the next
big 
IMAT trial, it makes sense to get and configure the application server
at 
the same time. IMAT is part of our collective future.

We also need to replace the 20 eight port switches we got for nothing 
several years ago and which are now failing. Getting 10-12 of those now
at 
least insures we can get a functional network.

In discussing this with Paul, John H. and Buzz, John indicated he can
spend 
up to $15K between meetings to cover situations like this.  The total
cost 
of the 3 servers and 10-12 switches is less then that. We all thought in

the spirit of transparency we should give everyone a heads up on the
what 
and why.

The proposal we did not get to discuss sufficiently in Atlanta is also 
recommending that as part of the basic maintenance of the networking 
equipment that we replace all 20 switches and mirror the on site servers

with another trio which would be permanently based in Portland.  Rather 
than do that now we will address those additional 3 servers and the
balance 
of the switches as part of a revised broader package. For now we are 
focusing only on replacing what is broken and in time to insure we can 
support the January Interim in Taipei and be in good shape for Orlando
in 
March.  By then I trust we will have had an opportunity to review and 
approve the balance of the package.

Let me (or John or Buzz) know if you have any questions.




Bob Heile, Ph.D
Chairman, ZigBee Alliance
Chair, IEEE 802.15 Working Group on Wireless Personal Area Networks
11 Louis Road
Attleboro, MA  02703   USA
Mobile: +1-781-929-4832
email:   bheile@ieee.org

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