churchIT

Project Updates

Since it has been a while I just wanted to update my last post that listed our current projects with the progress that has and hasn’t been made.

We are now in the 2008-2009 budget year.  Due to us changing Internet providers we have reduced our budget needs for the current fiscal year.  The big project that we’ve received funds for is replacing Shelby with a new ChMS system!  (My early favorite is Shelby Arena but this is just my opinion without a team of staff talking to multiple vendors.)  This promises to be another busy year ahead of us!

We did finalize ISP bids and moved to Phonoscope from Data Foundry.

Microsoft Forefront Client Security tested well and we have migrated to the full product. This is not the easiest product to implement. I am hoping for big benefits in the future as this is further integrated with MOM and SCCM.

We have deployed Windows Server 2008 in a DC and File Server role and a Terminal Services Gateway.  Server 2008 is an excellent upgrade.

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, has been deployed but not fully utilized.

Still preparing for staff Office 2007 training.  I am very nervous about this deployment and all of the helpdesk calls because of the interface change.  Will look to do training after promotion Sunday in late August.

Prepared, tested and deployed new 8 core HP DL360 G5 for use as our third VMWare Server but now this server has Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 Server Core installed and is being setup as a member of a Microsoft Hyper-V cluster.

We’ll deploy Exchange 2007 after the Hyper-V cluster is operational.

After Exchange is virtualized, upgrade and re-purpose physical server as a Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 server to manage VMs and Hyper-V servers.

Current Projects

I know my blog posts have been lacking the last few months.  It has been a very busy time.  Here is a summary of the projects that I have been working on recently.  All projects, except the Windows Server 2008, will probably be completed in the next 4 weeks.

2008-2009 IT Budget Preparation

Bidding out our Internet connections at the Main and Missions Campuses (all bids have been received and I expect a decision in the next 2 weeks)

Testing Microsoft Forefront Client Security

Beta testing Windows Server 2008 for deployment after RTM (Terminal services gateway sounds very interesting, I may deploy this as a release candidate)

Deploying Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, formerly Systems Management Server (first priority is to deploy Office 2007 to all staff)

Preparing for staff Office 2007 training, including buying equipment for training lab.

Preparing, testing and deploying new 8 core HP DL360 G5 for use as our third VMWare Server.

After new VMWare Server is deployed, virtualize Exchange onto new server.

After Exchange is virtualized, upgrade and repurpose physical server as a VMWare Server to replace a dual processor single core server VMWare Server.

IT Overview - Hardware

I've always found it to be interesting to look at how other churches are doing IT. Here is a breakdown of our hardware. You will see that I've become a fan of HP Hardware. That's not always been that way but I keep trying new HP hardware and HP keeps delivering good product.

10 Servers – We're standardized on HP Proliant, but we've got 5 old Intel white boxes. All use DAS at this time.

134 Computers – 100 mostly clone Desktops, 16 HP T5520 Thin Clients, 11 Laptops (7 HP, 3 Fujitsu, and 1 Toshiba Tablet), and 7 Macs

45 Printers – This is a mix, mainly HP LaserJet. We're trying to consolidate and standardize to color and b/w LaserJets. Down to 8 InkJet$!

9 Networked Copiers – Savin Copiers 8 B/W & 1 Color

11 Switches – All HP ProCurve switches. This is a mix of 100/1000 switches linked by 1GB fiber.

1 Wireless Bridge – A Proxim Quickbridge II Wireless Bridge. This connects our main campus and our annex/youth campuses.

1 Access Point – HP Procure 420. This will be 3 soon.

Routers – Cisco (Managed by our ISP DataFoundry)

Main Rack – APC 42U NetShelter SX Lockable Enclosure

Main Rack UPS – APC Smart-UPS 5000VA Rack mount 208V with 2 battery packs (Right now we get above 1HR runtime)

Main Rack Power Distribution – APC Switched PDU

Main Rack Cooling – Mix of Building A/C and a APC NetworkAir PA1000

Main Rack Heat Removal – APC Rack Air Removal Unit. This has been a great investment. Pulls server's hot air out and sends it into the ceiling. No more re-circulated hot air!

Telco UPSs – APC and Tripplite Rack mount UPSs

Desktop UPSs – APC Back-UPS ES

It’s Alive

I've been thinking about starting a blog about my experiences as an IT Director for a "mega" church.  So, I figured I needed to start somewhere. 

This page will look a bit ugly until I can get Jay, our developer to make it look good.

I'm Scott Reichling. I've been IT Director of Sagemont Church since August 2002. I have a great job and feel that we in IT are making an impact for the Ministries of Sagemont and I feel that I may have something to contribute every once in a while. So here I go!