PHHP and HPNP Networking and IT Resources

All PHHP computer systems are connected through the Academic Health Center data network. High-speed access to the Internet is via the University of Florida’s campus network and its redundant connections to the Internet, Internet2 and Florida LambdaRail.

The networking infrastructure in the HPNP building is gigabit Ethernet. The HPNP Building data network provides 1000 megabit (mbit) service to all devices that can use it. The network will autonegotiate to the fastest rate possible for Devices not capable of Gigabit. The HPNP network also provides power over the network cable for devices capable of using it. The HPNP Building is equipped with secure 802.11g wireless networking using the 802.11x authentication standards and WPA2-Enterprise encryption. This service covers all interior spaces. The HPNP building’s wireless networks are part of the AHC and University-wide wireless networks and devices configured to work in the AHC or across the University campus will also work at HPNP. The phones in the HPNP building are VOIP phones which take advanage of the standard IP data networks. 

The College of Public Health & Health Professions provides a full-service computing environment for its constituents, offering standard services such as email, file, web, print, database as well as more specialized server needs.

PHHP IT servers are based on multi-processor 64-bit architecture servers running virtualization software to support varied platform needs, allowing for easy growth, and providing for fast disaster recovery. These servers are connected to multi-terabyte storage arrays enabling high I/O and data redundancy. All systems are housed in a modern data center at the Health Science Center with physical security, conditioned continuous power, redundant cooling systems, and high speed network connectivity. The data center servers require authenticated access for file, database, and processing services. These servers are protected from unauthorized access by physical means, network filters, patch management, and regular security audits. The data stored at the center is securely backed up nightly to tape backup systems and automatically transferred secondary backup storage physically distant from the data center.

All PHHP users are provided with space on PHHP file servers. These servers run modern Microsoft server operating systems and connect via fiber optics to an AHC-managed SAN array providing terabytes of fault tolerant storage to the college. User accounts are also associated with their departments giving them access to the department’s folder on the share drive. By default all users are also given access to the PHHP Folder on the share drive, providing a shared file storage location for the entire college.

Network Printing Services are provided for all networkable printers. Remote access to PHHP IT resources are available via VPN or Microsoft Remote Desktop. Everyone has the ability to create and publish his or her own personal webpages. Upon request webspace can be created for courses. Currently PHHP is using MySQL as a web database and takes on special projects from time to time to assist in the collection of data for research or surveys. The campus network also makes available such services as the campus mainframe running IBM z/OS and UF’s High-Performance Computing Center.

The College of Public Health and Health Professions supplies each faculty and staff member with a modern business-class computer, depending on latest available technology. The standard machines are loaded with a range of work essential applications with a base install of MS Windows 7, MS Office 2010, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and McAfee Virus Scan. PHHP provides statistical analysis programs such as SAS, SPSS, JMP, Matlab, R, and STATA by request.

The PHHP IT staff consists of 4 full-time IT professionals and 2 part-time staff, including specialists in server management, networking, data supervision, storage schema, desktop support, and Web design. All users using a PHHP recommended PC would have the full support of the Colleges IT staff. The IT staff will assist with Setup, OS Installation, network printing and connectivity and new hardware installation. Despite limited application support, the IT staff can answer most questions. All College owned laptops receive full support for software and hardware upgrades. In special cases the College has provided home PC’s to some Faulty and Staff. IT will support all College owned home computers, provided they are brought in for service. The IT Center provides computer training free of charge to all UF faculty and staff.