Projects
Our division is involved in many projects at George Mason. Below are a few of the key projects we are currently working on. Please check back for additional information on these projects and new projects.

Patriot Project
The Patriot Project is a university-wide initiative to convert Mason's finance (FRS), human resources (HRS), and student (SIS) systems to SCT Banner Software. SCT is the leader in providing administrative IT applications to colleges and universities with more than 1,000 institutions across the country using Banner. The systems are web-based and portal intensive with extensive e-commerce capabilities.

For more information on this project, please visit the Patriot Project website.

Memo Project
The MEMO Project involves the migration from multiple mail systems run by ITU (Information Technology Unit) and departments to a single mail system. MEMO includes features like a common addressbook, web interface to email, and a group calendaring system used by many Faculty, Staff, and Departments on campus. One of the main advantages to MEMO is the ability to access email with a web browser from anywhere on the Internet.

For more information on this project, please visit the MEMO (Mason Enterprise Messaging Online) website.

High Speed Inter-Campus Fiber Backbone
In October of 2002 ITU's Network Engineering and Technology department completed the installation of the intercampus optical fiber backbone. This multi-year project has vastly increased the network capacity between the three campuses. The Prince William-to-Fairfax link became operational in April of 2001; the Fairfax-to-Arlington span, originally scheduled for July 2001, was delayed as a result of the telecom industry's financial problems but is now in operation.

By leasing the connections as "dark" fiber and driving them with our own networking hardware, we now have the ability to greatly increase the capacity of our intercampus connections without adding recurring line charges. The initial setup provides us with approximately 50 times the capacity of the Verizon T3 line that we replaced. Currently the fiber is used only for data connections, but in the first quarter of 2003 we will be adding channels for voice and video. A future goal - dependent on availability of funding - is to add a third span directly connecting the Arlington and Prince William campuses, creating a protected optical ring to enhance reliability.

In the near term, this new "metro-area network" enables applications that were not feasible in the past: remote backups for file servers, much faster access to LAN servers from the outlying campuses, more dependable videoconferencing. Over the next few years we hope to become a major hub for research activities in the Northern Virginia area, leveraging our network to develop partnerships with businesses and educational institutions in the region.

System wide Screening of Email for Viruses (Server Based Virus Protection)
Technology Systems is in the process of installing a number of WebShields. A WebShield is a hardware device that screens all incoming mail for viruses and rejects those that are found to be infected. Our WebShields are currently scanning all mail sent to "@gmu.edu" addresses and are catching approximately 1000 virus infected messages per day. Future WebShields are being planned to screen for mail that stays within the MEMO system as well as outbound mail.

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