Computing Services Team Activity for the Period 2/03 to 5/03 - MEC - 5/1/03

HET

Downey continued work on replacement software for the HET primary mirror
control system, building a testbed for the actuators in Austin with Boyd
and Mitchell, working with Damm to study the electrical characteristics of
the current control system, looking into linux drivers for the National
Instruments boards used to gather HET temperature measurements,
investigating the performance of a Lantronix terminal server for serial
communication, and testing new low-level control code at the telescope.
The new system can move all 91 mirrors in 7 seconds with only a few
actuator errors which are automatically corrected in 1 or 2 retries within
the 7-second limit.  Zhang continued to work with Palunas on improvements
to the SAMS software, including documenting the LabView code, speeding up
the cycle time, solving a communication problem between PMC and SAMS,
preparing to implement a compute-on-demand feature, and writing programs
with Downey to read data back from the brick.  Wilkinson built and
delivered the new computers for SPS/PMC and MARS2/HEFI after debugging a
variety of interrupt-related hardware and software problems.  Odoms
continued work on the low-level MARS2 motion control software, learning the
peculiarities of the PMAC2 system, completing the interface to the high
level software being written by Mike Ward, and debugging the new absolute
encoders.  This work has gone about as far as it can go until we have the
real MARS2 hardware to work with.  Odoms and Cornell released new versions
of the HET guider software, with a PXL version fixing several long-standing
bugs, and an Apogee version to support MRS and HRS.  Wilkinson continued to
work on the DIMM hardware and software systems.  A remotely viewable finder
camera was designed, purchased, and tested. Re-compilation of the original
code base written by Armin Rest has been successful and changes to that
code are pending. Further interface software for louver control and cover
retraction is under development. Good and Wilkinson mounted the DIMM on the
new tower and initial testing was performed by Barker. The system is in the
final stages of hardware/electronics design. DIMM data handling continues
to be revised, including further integration into the Fowlkes weather
subsystem.  Cornell updated the science application software on
yin:/opt/local.


Mt. Locke Operations

Zhang continued work on the linux port of 107TCS, with two engineering runs
onsite.  The system was used successfully for science observations, but a
communications problem prevented a permanent switch to the new system.
Work continues to debug that problem, and a precision pointing problem
uncovered by Paul Harvey.  Wilkinson built and delivered the spare Apogee
guide camera control system for the 107-inch.  Another apogee control
computer for use at the 82-inch is currently under assembly. Cornell
updated the security patches on the Mt. Locke Suns.  Timing tests on the
MOVC heliostat were performed by Wilkinson and Rudine, determining that the
problem with the drive system can be isolated to the computer/counter
card. The computer and card will likely be replaced this spring.  Cornell
installed a new Sun Ultra 10 at the 30-inch.  Odoms fixed an ICE
communications problem between the coolspec nodding scripts and the apogee
guider.


Austin Operations

Landazuri and Wilkinson continued work on a centralized scheme to update
the linux boxes.  Wilkinson continued work on the reconfiguration and
expansion of the authenticated DHCP system, bringing the pool size from 12
to 61 addresses.  Umbarger continued work to improve the program's web
pages.  Support for the teaching mission included course websites for Lacy,
Dinerstein, and Evans, syllabi postings for the current semester, a Drake
equation calculator for the extraterrestrial life courses, a new top page
for the graduate program, and preparing for the summer session. Umbarger
added a new site search feature, a new travel section, a new research top
page with summaries of current research taken from the annual report, a new
research group members page, a new top page for the Stars group, a new
website for the EXES project, and a new summary of instrumentation at the
mountain.  He also wrote news articles on ROTSE III and Duncan's AAS award,
updated Duncan's home page, and posted various news releases.  Umbarger and
Cornell retired the old HET web site on rhea and transferred the relevant
contents to the new HET site.  Cable implemented a server-side spam filter
called SpamAssassin.  Wilkinson is currently working to expand the RAID
array system, bringing the total capacity of the system to 3.3 terabytes
with the addition of 2 more RAID controllers. A new server has been
purchased to handle the increased load.  Cable compiled new UNIX drivers
for the epson ink jet printer, dramatically improving output quality.
Landazuri developed a standard installation and documentation for Redhat 8,
9, and Mac OS X.  He installed 2 Macs, 2 PCs, 1 laptop and upgraded 3
others during the period.  Cornell worked with the Dean's office to order 6
new PCs for the undergraduate majors lab, and Landazuri began work to
support the new machines, setting up a samba-based windows domain for
windows account authentication, and working on a password synchronization
scheme for the linux boxes.  Cornell installed or updated UNIX application
software including AVS, ghostscript, xdvi, and a new POP mail server for
astro.  Collins purchased 3 PCs, 2 Macs, 4 laptops, 6 instrument control
computers and their spares, 3 complete RAID systems, 4 monitors, a testbed
for the HET mirror control project, plus lots of memory, computer cards,
cables, software, and supplies, and coordinated numerous repairs during the
period.  Landazuri rewired the server closet in 15.320E to take advantage
of our new network trunk.  Landazuri and Cornell patched the linux and
Solaris systems for a couple of serious security vulnerabilities, and dealt
with a couple of hacker incidents.  Cable left the group.