About SC Computing Services
The mission of the Communication and Information Directorate is to provide responsive, reliable and current communications and information technology for faculty, staff, and students. The directorate operates and maintains the Institute’s $20 million voice, data, distance learning and video networks, as well as computer hardware, software, and corporate databases supporting the Institute’s education, research and consulting missions.
The directorate is staffed by 74 people and is divided into five divisions: the Academic Technology Division, the Application Services Division, the Information Systems Division, Information Management Division, and the Plans and Programs Division. The directorate has functional oversight of an additional 26 personnel located within the schools and staff organizations to assist in providing direct computer system support to the students, faculty and staff.
Academic Technology Division (SCL)
The Academic Technology Division researches, promotes, and integrates multimedia and distance education technologies to enhance the delivery and management of distance education media at the Air Force Institute of Technology. They provide the technology necessary to establish distance learning as an integral part of the Air Force education system and to increase efficiencies and learning opportunities for America's air and space force.
Applications Services Division (SCA)
The Applications Services Division develops World Wide Websites, maintains databases and applications that support administrative processes and requirements throughout the institute. The majority of these databases and applications handle academic record keeping for the graduate school, Institute personnel information, financial accounting support for civilian institution programs, and other administrative tasks.
Information Systems Division (SCB)
The Information Systems Division operates and maintains the Institute’s entire network infrastructure providing complete connectivity for Internet access, e-mail services, central file storage, printer access, and telephone support.
Information Management Division (SCH)
The Information Management Division manages a central customer help desk, provides graphics, audiovisual, printing services, and administrates Air Force active and reserve officer educational records. Additionally, the division enforces the Air Force’s paper and electronic record management program; and handles US mail for the Institute.
Plans and Programs Division (SCX)
The Plans and Programs Division coordinates strategic planning for information technology at the Institute along with managing the principal information technology budget and central purchasing of hardware, software, and services. The division serves as an information technology consultant to the schools and directorates, approves all institute information-systems requirements, and provides technical solutions for them.
Computing Resources
The institute’s computer network operates as part of the overall network, and is connected to the Internet, Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN), and Department of Defense non-secure internet protocol routing network (NIPRNET). All students and faculty have access to the Internet and DREN resources. Access to the NIPRNET is restricted to individuals with an appropriate security clearance in accordance with Department of Defense directives.
The standard information technology baseline includes the Windows XP operating system and the Office 2003 suite of applications. The Institute also provides a small number of secure computers for classified research.
The institute’s computing capabilities include a variety of mathematical, statistical, simulation, and modeling applications available on Silicon Graphics, Inc., Sun Microsystems, and Intel-based platforms. There is also a wide array of programming languages for use while completing class projects, assignments, theses, and research projects. Over 250 scientific workstations throughout the Institute provide access to these applications and programming languages. In addition to the scientific workstations, AFIT also maintains over 1,800 Pentium and notebook computer systems for general office automation functions such as e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software. Assistance and problem resolution are available through the directorate’s Computer Customer Support Center during normal duty hours.
Internet access options are abundant and hardware is kept current. In addition to global e-mail capability, the institute offers Internet and World Wide Web browsing applications, Secure Shell File Transfer Protocol, and Secure Shell Telnet. These access options are available on UNIX and Linux workstations or on PCs. The Internet is a valuable resource for students and faculty alike while performing research. The directorate maintains a scheduled refresh rate of 3–4 years for all the computers within the Institute.
The directorate’s clients can also access many of AFIT’s computing capabilities from off-campus using a virtual private networking session through an Internet service provider. Our remote access capabilities permit access to private data storage areas, e-mail, the Internet, and other services. AFIT is a member of the Ohio Higher Education Computing Council and the Ohio Academic Research Network. Through these affiliations, the directorate provides customer access to The Ohio State University’s supercomputer center. Students and faculty also have access, through AFIT’s network, to the supercomputing facilities at Wright-Patterson AFB’s Major Shared Resource Center (MSRC).
Visual Information Services
The Communications and Information Directorate operates and maintains advanced audiovisual equipment and services throughout the institute that establish a consistent and well integrated approach to advanced multimedia across the campus. The institute has three auditoriums, which are equipped for video and data projection. The institute’s conference rooms are undergoing a steady transition to electronic presentations, along with digital whiteboards. The institute’s classrooms in the professional continuing education schools are now equipped with both mobile and fixed digital projection.
In addition to providing technical services, the directorate is also the home of very talented graphic artists. They primarily specialize in presentation and publication. Their talents are utilized in a variety of ways including World Wide Web site design and in concept art seen on the walls of the schools and directorates. Together they cover the gamut of graphic art specialties allowing the faculty and staff to request and receive brochures, handouts, visual aids, signs, and graphic presentations.
