Tech Blog
When you have a "notwork" instead of a network, not much can happen that involves technology (phones, laptops, printers,
classroom AV, moodle, etc.). We experienced this on Wednesday morning when our core switch (see large purple item in picture) at the HS decided to stop working. This was not a run of the mill switch that we could easily swap out as it handles all the traffic to and from Pine Ridge and South Shore MS, all the internal connections within the HS, our phone system traffic, and most of our servers. As configured this switch retails for over $30,000, so you don't just have a spare one on a shelf somewhere.
Once we determined it was a hardware problem, we unsuccessfully tried to find a local service provider to get the needed parts. From there we searched eBay and found the parts being sold from a number of companies around the US. One happened to be in Champaign, IL (over 500 miles round trip) and we left them a message asking if we could pick up the parts in person. That evening, while at the fundraising dinner for the Jonker's upcoming adoption, I got a phone call from the company in Champaign saying we could come to his home and pick up the equipment. Originally, Mr. Peterson and I were going to make the drive, but my wife suggested (correctly) that my ability to stay awake while driving at night would not make that a good idea. Mrs. Ondersma offered to go so that I could be awake on Thursday to set it up. My wife (who teaches at South Shore MS) offered to go along and so at about 9pm on Wed, they left Holland and drove through the thunderstorms and arrived in Champaign at about 1am, picked up the replacement switch gear and turned around and arrived back in Holland at about 5am. Mr. Peterson met Mrs. Ondersma and I at school and we spend the morning installing the new switch and adjusting the settings to match the old one. By about 10:30am (less than 24 hours after it started) we had most of the network running again.
A big thank-you to everyone for their patience as we worked to resolve the problem and a HUGE thank-you to Mrs. Ondersma and Mrs. Kamps for going the 500 miles overnight to get the parts we needed! If you see Mrs. Kamps, you can ask her for the new lyrics to the chorus of the song linked above!
/groups/techblog/search/index.rss?tag=hotlist/groups/techblog/search/?tag=hotWhat’s HotHotListHot!?tag=hot12/groups/techblog/sidebar/HotListweblog2009-04-11T13:49:25+00:00groups/techblog/weblog/65667FalseFacebook: A Decision But Not a Solution/groups/techblog/weblog/65667/Facebook_A_Decision_But_Not_a_Solution.htmlTim Kamps0 updatesFacebook: A Decision But Not a Solution
We have had some great feedback from students, teachers and parents regarding the use of technology and online tools like Facebook. The line bet...Falsetkamps2009-04-11T13:49:25+00:00weblog2009-04-11T13:49:25+00:00groups/techblog/weblog/65667FalseFacebook: A Decision But Not a Solution/groups/techblog/weblog/65667/Facebook_A_Decision_But_Not_a_Solution.htmlTim Kamps0 updatesFacebook: A Decision But Not a Solution
We have had some great feedback from students, teachers and parents regarding the use of technology and online tools like Facebook. The line bet...Falsetkamps2009-04-11T13:49:25+00:00weblog2009-04-11T13:49:25+00:00groups/techblog/weblog/65667FalseFacebook: A Decision But Not a Solution/groups/techblog/weblog/65667/Facebook_A_Decision_But_Not_a_Solution.htmlTim Kamps0 updatesFacebook: A Decision But Not a Solution
We have had some great feedback from students, teachers and parents regarding the use of technology and online tools like Facebook. The line bet...Falsetkamps2009-04-11T13:49:25+00:00weblog2009-03-27T16:04:21+00:00groups/techblog/weblog/2dcd8FalseStudents Who Struggle With Facebook/groups/techblog/weblog/2dcd8/Students_Who_Struggle_With_Facebook.htmlJim Peterson0 updatesStudents Who Struggle With Facebook
I loved the conversation that took place about Facebook Hours. Thanks
so much for your honesty and thoughtfulness. I have several questions
to ask ...Falsejimp2009-03-27T16:04:21+00:00weblog2009-03-27T16:04:21+00:00groups/techblog/weblog/2dcd8FalseStudents Who Struggle With Facebook/groups/techblog/weblog/2dcd8/Students_Who_Struggle_With_Facebook.htmlJim Peterson0 updatesStudents Who Struggle With Facebook
I loved the conversation that took place about Facebook Hours. Thanks
so much for your honesty and thoughtfulness. I have several questions
to ask ...Falsejimp2009-03-27T16:04:21+00:00hot/groups/techblog/search/index.rss?sort=modifiedDate&kind=all&sortDirection=reverse&excludePages=wiki/welcomelist/groups/techblog/search/?sort=modifiedDate&kind=all&sortDirection=reverse&excludePages=wiki/welcomeRecent ChangesRecentChangesListUpdates?sort=modifiedDate&kind=all&sortDirection=reverse&excludePages=wiki/welcome0/groups/techblog/sidebar/RecentChangesListmodifiedDateallRecent ChangesRecentChangesListUpdateswiki/welcomeNo recent changes.reverse5search
Comments
Melissa Overweg
May 18, 2009
Thank you for working so hard to get the network fixed so quickly.
Colin Ebels
May 21, 2009
$30,000?