Facilities

The Center for the Study of Digital Libraries uses and maintains over 75 computer systems spanning a myriad array of hardware and software platforms. These computers are situated within 14 offices and 2 laboratories on the main campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Connectivity to these systems consists of a hybrid gigabit and 100-megabit ethernet network connected to the University's backbone. Wireless network access is also available to users within the Center. Sun Solaris systems and multiprocessor Linux servers provide Unix services including Web page and Web application development and hosting, and interactive shells for application development. A shared disk cluster with multi-hundred gigabyte storage capacity serves Windows as well as Unix users. Roughly 15% of desktop workstations run some variant of Unix, with the remainder largely consisting of Windows systems. A dedicated Windows server provides Windows-based authentication. Server systems are routinely backed up over the network to a multi-tape DAT backup unit. To aid in system testing, the CSDL maintains a testbed providing all popular Web browsers on Windows, Linux, and Macintosh.

The Center also has a dedicated state-of-the-art conference room equipped with a SMART Board connected to a computer that is served by a gigabit connection, video and digital projection equipment. Wired as well as wireless Internet access is available to meeting participants.