Links

When completed, here's the URL for the read-only web access:

• https://chemlabs.arts.cornell.edu/grades/

Eval from 8/13/13:

• https://chemlabs.csotest.arts.cornell.edu/grades/

Decisions, processes, and procedures

Establish procedure for PatH to update web-hosted data. "Push the button".

As of 8/16/13, function doesn't exist for PatH.

• Requires ODBC connection. Not possible at FMPro server; must be set up at FMPro client's computer.
  • Do for PatH's computer. As backup, do on Sam's computer.
  • Current plan: For each computer, set ODBC up as system's Admin (vs. user) so ODBC accessible/ configured for any computer account.
  • Tu will work with Roger.
    • Tu needs IP addresses. Roger can do the installs. And he may have better alternatives. :-)

Establish semester-start procedures and processes. Includes:

This fall, PatH's first pull is no sooner than 8/29/13 (Thur). Later for lecture-only courses.

• Initially populating the DB with PeopleSoft data via a PeopleSoft import.This is a one-time event each semester for each course. (Courses done at different times, depending on course.)
  • Do imports in productions course DBs.
    • Can zero out if mistake made. If major problem, contact Dani or Tu to revert to prior DB.
• At the beginning of the semester (add/ drop period), PatH will periodically grab copies of the back-ups so she can created statistics re: rate of enrollment changes.

Establish semester-end procedures and processes. Includes:

• PatH pulls the final data from the backups.
  • NOTE: If an edit is done, must wait until that edit shows up in a backup (~ half a work day) and then that backup becomes the "final data" for that course.
• PatH zeroed out each of the ChemGrades DBs before the start of their next use.
  • PatH does this within FMPro, when she needs it done (varies by course).
• Cut off TA's access to FMPro.
  • PatH does this within FMPro, when she needs it done (varies by course?).
• Some courses must not show the grade of the final exam, per faculty member's requirement.
  • In those cases, PatH will simply not "push" her final data to the web (varies by course).
    • For these courses, grade changes for a student done after the last push (right before final exam grades entered into FMPro, ideally) will thus not show up on the web.
      • These are edge/ rare cases and PatH will inform the student of this fact.

Establish DB revert procedure. Initiating request and subsequent restoration from back-up.

• Likelihood of needing to do this is reduced because Pat and others can run recent clone of production DB (from backup) and test on own desktop first.
• PatH can do this herself by:
  • Zeroing out course data
  • Importing data from backup (latest would be ~half a work day before.
• If PatH needs backup data older than what she has access to herself (> 7 days!), then she must contact Dani or Tu for them to get via back-ups of the SQL server data (or from EZ-Backup).
  • Note that A&S's EZ-Backup would itself only have the 3 prior versions. If course DB was changed each day, that's just three backups. If course DB rarely changed, then that can be a long time.

Ensure Pat's "low friction" access to the backup files.

• Do in a way to minimize need for mediation by others. Pat may need access during a weekend or after-hours, for example.
• Confirm Pat's access.

Enable Pat's view of DB data from home.

• View only (where web access or clone (backup) would suffice), or are modifications required?
• Web version OK for view-only of some data, but obviously not as flexible for searching.
• Idea 1: With FMPro installed on dept. laptop, access AS's FMPro server off-campus (possible?) and do the work that way.
• Idea 2: Enable Remote Desktop on PatH's main work computer. Access from off-campus via VPN.

Ensure security of FERPA data in Grades DB.

See Michael Hint's emails with Tu and Frank for more on this. Some thoughts, initially:

• FERPA-like data so ChemIT would appreciate understanding the ACL (see for subnet?) and firewall configurations.
  • ChemIT thinks there shouldn't be any off-campus access except via VPN. Thus take off of public net and put into 10-space. But there may be other factors to consider.
• Who else has access to Grades DB FMPro DB?
• Ideal: Make all access via NetID/ NetID p/w, not via FMPro DB's own controls.
  • Control NetID membership via Active Directory groups.
    • Start with Grad TA access, via theTA room kiosks? Also start with faculty access?
    • Once process confirmed, establish procedure for enabling and disabling NetID access to Grades FMPro DB by grads and faculty
      • Can take ChemIT staff less than a minute to do this, and is effective immediately.

• Confirm FMPro server and admin groups support required staff access rights.
  • Currently it authorized CCB staff to see all PatH sees.
  • Confirm Becky can see what she needs to see.
    • Exports data using PatH's account.
  • Confirm TAs can see/ edit what they need to edit.

Clarify support and maintenance expectations

• Clarify to what degree A&S staff (Dani and Tu) are available and willing to perform support.
  • Hosting vs. Design/ Creation vs. Support
• Distinguish between something breaking (worked yesterday!) and new need (consultation/ design/ implementation).

Map out transition steps remaining

• Change direction of cname, <grades.chem.cornell.edu> from old to new instance.
  • ChemIT needs a date.
  • Doing this means other systems (2 computers in TA room; Becky's computer) automatically cut-over. :-)
• Shut off access to old ChemIT-run instance (Win7 VM). "Legacy Grades".
  • ChemIT needs a date.
• When add access via AD groups?