During the Tuesday, February 2nd maintenance window, maintenance work affecting a number of services will occur, starting at 5:30 PM and being completed before midnight. The following will occur:
  • Server software updates: software on the servers which provide the following services will be updated, resulting in outages of up to 15 minutes per server:
    • DNS
    • DHCP
    • NTP
    • RT
    • Web proxies
    • Registration system
    • Incoming e-mail
    • Outgoing e-mail
    • E-mail mailboxes
    • Webmail
    • Mailing lists
    • SMS
    • Apple Software Update Server
    • Provisioning (web proxy autodiscovery, telephone provisioning)
    • Wi-Fi and VPN authentication
    • CHERTL Evaluation Assistant
    • Network graphs
    • Guest network access
    • Network monitoring
    • Terminal Four content management system
    • RU Single Sign-On system
    • Main web server (www.ru.ac.za, etc)
    • University administration and meal booking systems
    • SEALS Library consortium services
    • Network printing services (iPrint / PaperCut)
    • Home directories (Gnu, Jackal)
  • SEALS Encore: the Encore component of the SEALS library service will be updated, and both encore.seals.ac.za and contentpro.seals.ac.za will be unavailable for several hours.
  • Kronoleth calendar: the calendaring component of webmail will be removed. More information is available.
  • Ad blocking: the ad blocking service of the proxy servers will be removed. More information is available.
  • Software repository: the server hosting the staff and student software repositories will be upgrade, and will unavailable for several hours. There is a small possibility that this change may also impact WiFi and VPN authentication.
While we try to publish a list of all service-affecting work here in advance, the list should not be considered exhaustive and other low impact work may also be undertaken during the maintenance window.

This maintenance work is being undertaken in the ITSC-approved scheduled maintenance window. More information about maintenance windows and maintenance periods.