PMM and WOL facilities

1. Introduction

OUCS is working with the Estates department to help achieve the University sustainability objects, in particular the energy targets. One related project in this area is focused on helping groups implement green desktop computing initiatives.

OUCS worked with OeRC to create the power management monitoring (PMM) and wake on LAN (WOL) facilities to help implement better power management on office computers (they are often left switched on despite being idle). The PMM facility allows groups to see how many devices are switched on and connected to the network on an hourly basis. The WOL service allows computers to be switched on remotely, which should make it possible to switch them off more often e.g. when idle overnight.

System design
Figure 1. System design

To use the PMM and WOL facilities the FiDo software must be installed on the subnet(s) that connect office computers.

2. Summary of responsibilities of OUCS

2.1. Hours of Service

The service is offered as follows:

  • 9am - 5pm on weekdays: the service operates with full technical support.
  • All other times: the service operates without technical support. Automated service monitoring will take place, and informal arrangements exist for staff to be notified of exceptions, however no funding is provided for contractual cover or guaranteed response.
  • Exclusions: service maintenance carried out during the JANET maintenance period (7am - 9am every Tuesday).

OUCS will commence investigation of reported faults within one hour when full technical support is available (provided that no similar fault is already being handled by the same team).

2.2. Serviceability Targets

It is intended, as far as is possible, to maintain service availability at all times apart from exclusions listed under 2.1, however there are no formal targets.

2.3. Disaster Recovery

This service is classified as "non-critical" to University business and will be recovered as soon as possible after all critical services have been recovered. This may take more than 72 hours.

Recovery will restore service availability; Folder metadata and settings but not contents will also be restored.

A variety of public file exchange services would meet basic user requirements in the event of extended disruption.

2.4. Administration and support

  • Maintain the central PMM and WOL server
  • Maintain the web pages that allow computers to be registered and woken by ICT managers and end-users
  • Maintain the integration between the HFS backup service and the central WOL service
  • Respond to queries sent to greenit@oucs.ox.ac.uk relating to the registration of computers with the WOL service, installation of FiDo software and general queries relating to desktop computer power management.
  • Maintain the web pages at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/greenit/desktop.xml

2.5. Problem Reporting

  • Problems with registering computers for the WOL service should be reported by sending an email to greenit@oucs.ox.ac.uk
  • OUCS will proactively report issues with the central PMM and WOL service or the integration between HFS and the WOL service via the OUCS Status web page and the itss-announce mailing list
  • There is no end-user support provided by OUCS. All end-user queries relating to switching computers on and registering computers should be directed to local ITSS

2.6. User education

There is no formal training offering relating to the FiDo software and the PMM/WOL facilities. OUCS can however provide technical advice on a wide range of green computing topics:

  • Data centre design
  • Server virtualisation
  • Power management on desktop computers

We can also provide a general introduction to green computing.

3. Summary of client's responsibilities

The responsibilities of WOL clients are:

  • Where ITSS have opted to download, install and maintain their own instance of the FiDo software they must take responsibility for patches to both the operating system and the FiDo software itself.
  • Registration of computers with the WOL service
  • Responding to all queries from end-users relating the WOL service
  • Management of the local network to allow the WOL service to switch computers on e.g. firewall settings
  • Management of desktop computers BIOS and network card settings to allow computers to use the WOL service

We would also ask clients to share their experiences with using the PMM and WOL facilities, and developing green IT services in general. Please send an email to greenit@oucs.ox.ac.uk for help in disseminating your work.

4. Paid-for services

4.1. NSMS

NSMS can take ownership of the installation and maintenance of the FiDo software as part of the group's FiDo service.

Where advice on green IT requires more than 2 hours of work there will be a cost-recovery charge.