The Circuit Board - Quarter 2 (January 2023 Edition)

Newsletter

The Missions

How ITS is supporting the next moon landing

The Future is Cloudy Cloud Computing at NAU

Monsoon ARC: High Performance Computing

Empowering Lumberjacks and more

The Impact of Microsoft’s Support for NAU

The Artemis Missions

How ITS is supporting the next moon landing

This past October, NASA’s Desert RATS (Desert Research and Technology Studies) Team was deployed near the Black Point Lava Flow, about 31 miles outside of Flagstaff to conduct research for upcoming Artemis Missions, where NASA aims to land humans on the moon for the first time since 1972. The objective of the Desert RATS experiments is to mimic the surface of the moon as closely as possible—made feasible by Northern Arizona’s high desert and volcanic terrain—and to test new technologies in the environment to observe how they will perform in space for future Artemis missions.

In this particular mission, NASA partnered with Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to test the efficacy of pressurized rovers (pictured adjacent.) on the lunar surface. Astronauts live onboard the rover for extended periods of time, in this mission the duration was 3 days. The astronauts also practice simulated moonwalks.

Members of local government and press gather around the lunar rover.

NASA enlisted the assistance of NAU ITS to establish a reliable network connection that allows the Desert RATS team to communicate with mission control back at Kennedy Space Center in real-time. This was accomplished by ITS pinging a point-to-point microwave link from the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus to a receiving dish on top of Mt. Elden, and subsequently bouncing the signal from Mt. Elden to a dish located at the NASA base camp near the Black Point Lava flow approximately 30 miles outside of Flagstaff. The link not only serves to provide the critical infrastructure necessary for the missions to be held, but also mimics the line of communication astronauts will encounter while on the lunar South pole during the Artemis missions.

Additionally, this network link allows NASA to create a secure tunnel directly to mission control in Houston, where a team of NASA’s flight controllers will lead simulated moonwalks, as well as a team of scientists that observe and analyze the findings from the experiments and apply them to the future planning of Artemis missions. ITS, the networking teams, and other stakeholders are proud to assist NASA’s research by providing these crucial infrastructure ammenities and supporting groundbreaking research.

Through the Artemis missions, NASA aims to land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, as well as trailblazing the path for future lunar missions as well as eventual missions to Mars.

Rendition of the network link pinging signals from each point.

NASA’s Receiver, which gathers the microwave link from Mt. Elden

Artemis Missions: How ITS is supporting the next moon landing

Images from NASA’s Base Camp located at the Black Point Lava Flow

ADVANCED RESEARCH COMPUTING

MONSOON

NAU’s state-of-the-art high-performance computing cluster, Monsoon, possesses the latest interconnect and storage capabilities, boasting 4,076 computing cores, 26 Terabytes of memory, and 27 NVIDIA Graphics processing units. Monsoon is equipped to handle the most demanding tasks to support cu ing-edge research. Managed by the Advanced Research Computing team within Information Technology Services—formerly known as High-Performance Computing—Monsoon is available to researchers, whether faculty or student that require support for high-performance computing, data science, big data, secure computing, and large data storage in general. By utilizing Monsoon, researchers at NAU can tackle projects that would be financially and logistically infeasible with other outsourced resources, helping to drive new discoveries and breakthroughs completely facilitated by NAU.

So, what are high-performance computing clusters, and how do they work to support NAU’s research projects? High-performance computing (HPC) clusters are powerful computational systems that are designed to perform complex and computationally intensive tasks. At the core of an HPC cluster is a group of interconnected computer nodes, each containing one or more processors (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs). These nodes are linked together by a high-speed network, allowing them to work together to perform calculations in parallel.

A close-up view of the Monsoon cluster.

We’re able to use millions of CPU hours, and [Monsoon] is a facility provided to faculty members, that is huge.

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Christopher Edwards Associate Professor Department of Astronomy & Planetary Science

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Chris Coffey inspecting one of the Monsoon servers.

Research Projects at NAU Leveraging Monsoon

Recently, we sat down with a cross-section of esteemed researchers at NAU to explore the impact of the Monsoon cluster on their work. Among the many success stories, Christopher Edwards, Associate Professor in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, shared with us how his team leverages the Monsoon cluster for a wide range of research tasks, from simulating spectra, to processing images from Mars. The ability to seamlessly link these various processes together is a testament to the versatility and utility of Monsoon. The Monsoon cluster has been a true catalyst for progress, enabling our researchers to achieve new levels of insight and understanding in their respective fields.

Another shining example of the impact of Monsoon on research is found in the work of Ines Montano, a respected professor and researcher in the Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science who utilizes the Monsoon cluster to drive her group’s work in quantum information science. She explains that the cluster supports her work by providing access to a vast array of computing resources, including general CPU, but with many jobs that run on many cores for a long duration, which would be impossible without the Monsoon resources. As her needs are fluid depending on the tasks at hand, Monsoon’s ability to adapt to specific computing demands show the flexible and adaptive functionality it possesses. For instance, some of her group’s work on photosynthesis runs on multiple cores at the same time, while their machine learning work runs on just one core.

It is worth mentioning that Ines came to the university a er working at a national lab with top-notch supercomputers, yet she has been impressed with the exceptional capabilities of the Monsoon resources within the university. The Monsoon cluster at NAU is not just a powerful tool, but a vital resource that allows researchers like Ines to achieve new levels of discovery and insight.

You can watch ITS’ full video by clicking the thumbnail to the right. The video offers a glimpse into the incredible work of innovators such as Gerrick Lindberg, whose group studies the intricacies of molecular dynamics; Colin Chandler, who captures and documents asteroid trails for NASA; and Toby Hocking, who uses Monsoon to optimize ROC curves through machine learning. This video is great for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and research, and how powerful resources like the Monsoon cluster are driving progress across the scientific spectrum.

Modo Labs 2022 Appademy Awards

NAU go RECOGNIZED BY MODO LABS AS INNOVATIVE AND INTUITIVE

Each year, Modo Labs’ Appademy Awards honors the best and brightest in app development, recognizing exceptional achievement in categories such as innovation, design, UX, and student engagement. Modo Labs, a leading app-building platform for both professional and higher education institutions, hosts the awards. NAU's very own app, NAUgo which was built on the Modo Labs platform—has been recognized for its excellence in app development at this year’s awards.

In this year's Appademy Awards, NAUgo stood out among the competition, earning a nomination in all six categories submi ed by NAU. NAUgo was crowned the "Best Overall" app among over 300 other institutions, a result of the hard work and innovation from the NAUgo team. In addition, NAUgo was also awarded the title of "Best Student Orientation", a well deserved recognition for its accessibility and ease of use for new NAU students.

Modo Labs recently spoke with Pa y Allenbaugh, senior user experience analyst at ITS, following NAUgo's victories at the Appademy Awards. Allenbaugh exclaimed, "We're thrilled that NAUgo has been recognized this year with two 2022 Appademy Awards! Here, the entire life of the app is driven by students, from ideas for what to include, to the content, to the design, development, and testing. This level of involvement ensures our app meets the needs of our students throughout their NAU journey. The Modo platform has helped us integrate more features, such as a digital student ID and class schedules, in response to student feedback. I'm excited for what we will develop next." Allenbaugh went on to express her gratitude towards the NAUgo team, including Eric Bradford and student workers David Knight, Krysten de Leon, Shelby Dent, and Sam Gerard, as well as the NAUgo Steering Commi ee, the development partners who provided support, university department partners, the leadership within ITS and Student Affairs, and all of their stakeholders for their contributions.

The Future is Cloudy CLOUD COMPUTING AT NAU

Cloud computing has rapidly become an integral part of the modern technological landscape, offering a diverse range of benefits for businesses and individuals alike. At its core, cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services, including servers, storage, databases, networking, so ware, analytics, and intelligence, over the Internet. This allows users to access their data and applications from anywhere, at any time, on any device, making it a highly convenient and flexible option. By leveraging the ‘power of the cloud’, organizations and individuals can easily scale their resources and reduce the need for costly infrastructure and maintenance, while also enjoying enhanced security and reliability.

But why should NAU adopt a cloud computing model, and how can it be leveraged to the university’s advantage?

Universities can reap significant benefits by embracing cloud computing as part of their technology infrastructure. One of the key advantages of the cloud is its ability to offer scalable and flexible resources, which can be particularly useful for a university such as NAU that experiences fluctuations in demand for certain services. For example, NAU could use the cloud to host a student portal or learning management system, allowing students to access these resources from any device, at any time. The cloud can also be used to store and process large amounts of data, such as research data or institutional data, which can be accessed and analyzed by researchers and administrators. Additionally, cloud computing can provide a cost-effective solution for a university, as it eliminates the need for expensive hardware and maintenance costs—although it may take some time and investments to fully streamline costs.

How cloud computing promotes remote learning and work

The shi to remote work and remote learning brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology in enabling collaboration and communication. Cloud computing plays a vital role in this transition, providing the necessary infrastructure and tools to support remote work and remote learning. With cloud-based applications and services, employees and students can access the resources they need quickly and easily, from anywhere in the world. This has allowed organizations to continue operating and providing education despite the challenges of the pandemic. As we look towards the future, the benefits of cloud computing for remote work and remote learning will continue to be a key advantage for organizations looking to adapt and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Cloud computing and championing access to education

Furthermore, another one of the key benefits cloud computing provides is the way it breaks down barriers and promotes access to education. With cloud-based applications and services, students and educators can access the resources they need from anywhere, regardless of their location or the type of device they are using. This is in line with NAU's strategic roadmap, which emphasizes the importance of breaking down barriers and promoting access to education. This is particularly valuable for students in underserved or underfunded areas, who may not have access to the same resources as those in more affluent areas. By leveraging the capabilities of the cloud, these students can access the same learning materials and tools as their peers, helping to level the playing field and promote equal access to education.

On a more technical note, cloud computing also presents incentives for developers and programmers looking to innovate and experiment. In traditional on-premises computing models, the logistics of creating and maintaining new so ware or programs can be costly and cumbersome, o en deterring experimentation due to the risk of using resources allocated for critical infrastructure. With cloud computing, however, developers can easily test and tinker with new ideas without incurring significant costs. As Federico Gallardo—Lead solutions architect for Cloud, Integrations, and Automations (CIA)—puts it, the cloud requires a change in mentality. "It causes disruption in the traditional IT way of doing things. It promotes collaboration with other people and teams." Gallardo elaborates how cloud innovation causes discomfort to tradition, and that’s okay. This environment encourages innovation and helps drive progress in advantageous technologies. Azure, and cloud computing as a whole, offers a unique experimentation environment that allows experimentation-hungry users to "fail fast," as described by Jeff Gagne of ITS’ CIA Team.

Where cloud is being leveraged at NAU right now

Cloud computing is currently being integrated at NAU in a variety of ways. Campus Services and Activities (CSA) is currently migrating their workloads to the cloud, locating and deploying Azure services to replace legacy on-premises systems. Additionally, the Education Technology Consortium (ETC), which is housed within Information Technology Services, is leveraging the benefits of cloud computing by building out their infrastructure in the cloud and preparing to serve customers and deploy services remotely. Another example of current cloud integration at NAU is the Azure Virtual Desktop, which allows users to access key NAU so ware and services remotely, helping break down barriers to information and education while also increasing productivity. At an affordable cost of around $13 per user, Azure is providing immense resources to the campus community. As more teams, departments, and services at NAU continue to adopt cloud computing, The Circuit Board will keep you updated on their progress and share their stories of success.

For those in ITS eager to leverage the possibilities of cloud computing, se ing up with Azure offers the chance to test out the full range of tools and features on the platform with a credit of over $200. This credit can be used to experiment with and explore the capabilities of the cloud environment, providing an opportunity to get a feel for what the cloud has to offer without incurring any upfront costs. To learn how to get set up with cloud computing, or to request a consultation from the CIA team, visit ITS’ CIA Website by clicking on the cloud above.

The fall semester of 2022 was busy and productive for the ITS Service Desk. From updates to the NAU password change process to supporting the largest freshmen class in NAU's history to the addition of Telephony support, our team continued to grow and take on new roles and responsibilities while receiving a 96% customer satisfaction rating throughout our 39,000 customer interactions. During the Spring 2023 semester, our focus remains on providing excellent customer service while supporting the students, staff, and faculty of NAU in their educational and professional journeys.”

Laurel Logan Manager, IT Support

Empowering Lumberjacks

THE IMPACT OF MICROSOFT’S SUPPORT FOR NAU

As a leader and powerhouse in the tech industry, it's no surprise that Microso has long been a valuable partner for NAU. From providing access to the latest Microso 365 applications to leveraging the power of cloud computing with Azure, Microso has consistently supported the university's efforts to stay at the forefront of innovation.

Microso 's continued support comes at a pivotal time—the ability to access tools like Teams, which enables remote collaboration and communication, has been crucial for keeping the university running smoothly. In fact, the widespread adoption of Teams and other Microso 365 applications has helped streamline business processes at NAU, allowing staff and faculty to work more efficiently and effectively, even from a distance.

As higher education institutions adapt to new policies and infrastructure changes placed by other third-party so ware providers, the freedom and functionality provided by the Microso 365 suite have become increasingly crucial for NAU students. With its comprehensive set of tools and applications, the Microso 365 suite allows students to collaborate, communicate, and stay organized.

Microsoft Recognizes NAU as a Pioneer

Microso has a history of recognizing organizations that embrace innovation and think ahead. That's why it's no surprise that Microso has consistently recognized NAU as a pioneer among educational institutions. Shannon Smith, senior account executive for higher education at Microso , notes that NAU's student-first perspective and initiatives such as Elevating Excellence and Access2Excellence align perfectly with Microso 's own mission to "empower every person and every organization to achieve more." It's clear that Microso recognizes NAU's leadership as visionary and forward-thinking, traits that have helped the university establish itself as a leader in the higher education landscape.

Microsoft as a Marketable Skill

In addition to the numerous benefits it provides students and faculty at NAU, the adoption of the Microso suite also helps prepare graduates and former university constituents for the professional environment. In today's job market, it is increasingly common for employers to look for candidates who are proficient in the Microso landscape. By using the Microso suite daily at NAU, students can gain valuable experience and skills that will serve them well in their future careers. It's just one more way that Microso 's support for NAU helps to empower individuals and organizations to achieve more.

Photo of an NAU Nursing student working on a laptop.

Data Privacy Week 2023 (Jan. 22 - 28)

Data Privacy Week has come and gone once again, however, it’s important to always be diligent and reflect on the importance of protecting your personal data and privacy. In today's digital age, personal information is more vulnerable than ever to being compromised, and it is up to us to take steps to safeguard our own data and the data of others. Whether you are an individual concerned about your own privacy or an organization looking to protect your community's information, the tips and guidelines championed by Data Privacy Week are great resources to learn about best practices and take action to ensure that your data is secure.

As we reflect on some of the highlights of this year’s Data Privacy Week, it is important to remember that cybersecurity and data privacy go hand in hand. The National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) is a strong proponent of this idea and offers a number of tips for securing our data from malicious threats. According to the NCA, some key cybersecurity measures that we can easily take include creating long, 12-character passwords and using unique passwords for different apps and services; turning on Two-Step Verification, which is available for services like Gmail, Snapchat, and Facebook; enabling automatic so ware updates to keep our devices up-to-date and secure from outdated security vulnerabilities; and learning how to identify and report phishing messages through email, texts, DMs, or even over the phone.

When creating and curating your online presence, it is important to ask yourself some critical questions: Is the service, app, or game worth granting access to your personal data? Can you still use the service while limiting or controlling the data you share? Is the data being requested appropriate for the purpose of the service? (i.e., Your alarm clock app shouldn’t need access to your contacts.) And are there any stale or unused apps or services that may be holding onto your data that you could consider canceling? By taking control of our online presence and making informed decisions about the personal data we share, we can all play a role in safeguarding our privacy and ensuring the security of our information.

The Circuit Board