In March 2020, in preparation for remote work during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, GlobalProtect VPN was introduced to help handle the significantly larger need for secure connections to campus resources. GlobalProtect and our Cisco AnyConnect VPN played a significant role in streamlining campus operations’ sudden and unexpected closure. As we begin 2023, VPN service usage has gradually decreased to near pre-pandemic levels. Because of this, and to simplify the management of VPN platforms, GlobalProtect service will be discontinued on March 20, 2023, and Cisco AnyConnect will once again be our sole VPN client. Continue reading GlobalProtect VPN Service to End on March 20
Author: Zach Peterson
Zach is a Senior IT Training & Communications Consultant with OIT. Zach began his SMU career at the IT Help Desk in 2012 and joined the Training & Communications Team in 2015. He is a 2011 graduate from the University of North Texas and obtained a Master of Liberal Studies degree from SMU in 2018. He enjoys reading and collecting vintage and antique radio sets. He grew up in Valley View, Texas near Denton.
OIT Staff to Begin Checks of Departmental Telephones
With the introduction of new authentication methods for campus telephones, OIT will soon be making visits to your area of campus to ensure departmental phones are logged in properly for the best performance and functionality. Continue reading OIT Staff to Begin Checks of Departmental Telephones
Thanks for Taking Our Calls: SMU’s Former PBX Leaves The Hilltop
A few years ago, we made the switch to our new telephone system on campus. While individuals on campus moved to the new system a while back, that wasn’t the end of the project! Our legacy Private Branch Exchange (PBX) was still in a state of limited operation while the remaining legacy phone lines (like fire alarms, fax lines, Blue Light safety phones, etc.) were moved to their own more modern equivalents.
That stage of the phone replacement project recently ended, as the final power connections to our Intecom PBX system were completely removed and preparations began for the system to be moved out of the data center in Patterson Hall. We stopped by Patterson Hall to take one last look at the equipment that handled SMU’s phone calls for nearly thirty years. Continue reading Thanks for Taking Our Calls: SMU’s Former PBX Leaves The Hilltop
Canvas Corner: January 2023 Edition
In Canvas Corner, we discuss the new features and enhancements available in Canvas. All updates will be available in Canvas on the third weekend of the month. Continue reading Canvas Corner: January 2023 Edition
Microsoft Ends Support for Windows 8.1
Like XP and 7 before it, Microsoft is pulling the plug on support for Windows 8.1 after nearly ten years of service.
Usually regarded as an awkward in-between version of the venerable operating system, 8.1 included more tablet-friendly features and paved the way for Continue reading Microsoft Ends Support for Windows 8.1
