The Student Activity Server has been renamed to the Penn State Student Organizations Web Service and is under new management. These Web pages are out of date and will be removed in the near future. Please read http://www.clubs.psu.edu/info/ for information about the new service.
Our ftp service on ftp.clubs.psu.edu will be terminated on June 1, 2002. The SFTP (Secure FTP) service on ftp.clubs.psu.edu has been turned on and is ready for use. You may read the bulletin on http://cac.psu.edu/news/alerts/ftp_announce.html for details and our tutorials for SFTP client programs and other upload options.
By April 1st all Penn State organizations at other campuses and colleges than University Park will be removed from the Student Activity Server. The Student Activities office at each respective campus or college will take over the role of providing web space. If your organization is losing space due to this move, please visit the list of Student Affairs Offices at other campuses and colleges for contact information. This change in policy will allow Student Activities to better manage the granting of webspace privilege to officially registered student groups. We will take steps such as forwarding links to make the transition easier.
Access Problems FixedAll permissions on the www.clubs.psu.edu domain have been restored to their original state. Everyone should now be able to view and edit club websites.
If you do have any problems, please contact the Student Activity Server Committee at ActivityServer@psu.edu
After an embarrasing two semesters, we have finally fixed the stability problem. We expect to not have any further problems with our new setup. Web service is now distributed over two servers, and both have been online 24/7 since last Thursday, and without a single failed response since last Tuesday morning (localized to our server in Student Affairs. The CAC server has not given us any problem). Evidence suggests that the problem we faced was specific to our server, and with a full load. Our current setup rapidly diminishes the likelyhood of further problems, and isolates the problem only to specific applications.
Here is some information on our new setup.
About 7am this morning CAC took over the job of hosting our service. It was marked by the moment they updated the DNS for "www.clubs.psu.edu" to point to the new virtual server. We hope this also marks the end of the downtime we have suffered the past year with our old Student Affairs server. Please be patient while the changes to DNS propagate the worldwide cache.
Today we installed an additional 256 megabytes of system memory to a total of 384 in the webserver (still NT/IIS). We hope this will relieve the stress on our DFS client and prevent further downtime. However we shall still continue as planned with the platform change.
After a semester of daily failures of our DFS client, and no solution in sight, we are abandoning NT altogether and moving to a virtual web service managed by the CAC. The new system will run the Apache 1.3.x web server on IBM's AIX Unix, using RS/6000 hardware. We are going to do our best to keep your pages running without alteration, but some sacrifices may need to be made. Further details will be disclosed soon.
We apologize for the excessive downtime this past week. We have been
having severe stability issues with our DFS client.
We will attempt
to learn the cause and remedy the problem as soon as possible.
The last paragraph was altered Sept 6th, at 6:30pm.
For now you can use our alternate site for your web development:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/clubs/.
The last paragraph was altered Sept 5th, at 9:50am.
We have now created a separate form for Web Team Changes. Please use it when you wish to allow more people to work on your Club Server web site. The new location of the New Webspace Request Application is here.
Our team and the Greeks administrators have restored most of the permissions lost during the reinstall. Our application form, counters, guestbooks seem to work again, and all of the Greeks sites are viewable. Please let us know if you run into any problems with your site.
6am this morning, the server went down and data corruption required a reinstallation of the web server software. While basic services may function, others will not including ASP, counters, and some sites' permissions. We will attempt to restore the system within the week. This affects both the www.clubs.psu.edu domain and the www.greeks.psu.edu domain.
Several of our committee members are graduating this year. We need replacements. If you are interested in helping out, read our ad on our homepage.
Today CAC helped us upgrade our DCE client to a full client, and we have resolved the stability problems we have been having with better performance tunings. If you notice any problems with our service, please contact us.
Our DFS client on the web server (www.clubs.psu.edu) has had problems lately locking up every couple of days. Symptoms include the Web Server, IIS, timing out and closing the web port (ie "Netscape's network connection was refused by the server..." or "Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site...A connection with the server could not be established."). We have installed the latest patch from Transarc Corp. and will be testing performance settings. We will post more announcements here as they turn up. We have set up a secondary link on the personal server to our files in DFS. If you wish to read this page while the Club's web server is down, go to www.personal.psu.edu/jcd144/clubs. Please contact ActivityServer@psu.edu if you have any questions, and we will try to reply as soon as we can. Sorry for the inconvenience this causes.
The DNS change for ftp.clubs.psu.edu to become an alias for ftp.personal.psu.edu finally occured today. The zone expiration is one day so you should be able to use ftp.clubs.psu.edu for FTP by tomorrow at the latest.
All files have been moved into DFS, and all users have been given access to their files. The DNS change for ftp.clubs.psu.edu has not yet taken place, but you can access your files through ftp.personal.psu.edu. When you connect to ftp.personal.psu.edu, make sure you use your Access Account to log in (your Access Account is used for your userid@psu.edu email), and change to the /clubs directory after logging in. If you notice any problems or have any questions, please let us know at ActivityServer@psu.edu.
All files have been copied into DFS. A script is running which is giving users access to their folders in DFS. Unfortunately, the DNS entry for ftp.clubs.psu.edu hasn't been updated yet. If you need to update your files, you can FTP to ftp.personal.psu.edu to reach them. Remember to use your Access Account userid and password, and to change to the /clubs directory after logging in. As of now, all groups with directories starting with A through E should have access. All groups should have access by tomorrow.
The FTP service on ftp.clubs.psu.edu has been turned off while we copy files into DFS. Sometime tomorrow ftp.clubs.psu.edu will become an alias for ftp.personal.psu.edu, and we will be giving all groups access to their new DFS directories. We expect to have all groups able to update their websites by Wednesday at the latest. There will be no interruption to web service -- your pages will always be visible from www.clubs.psu.edu.
During this week we will shut down ftp service, transfer all student groups to the clubs DFS space, and transfer the hostname ftp.clubs.psu.edu to the DFS ftp server. When the ftp service becomes available again, you will NO LONGER use your clubs password to upload files. Instead you will need to use your Kerberos password - the same password you use for @psu.edu email, dialup, eLion.psu.edu, and so forth. DFS testers can still update their files without interruption. There should be no interruption to the web service. This does not affect the Greeks web service. We will post latest developments here.
With the cooperation of CAC, we were able to set up a symbolic link /clubs/ for /.../dce.psu.edu/fs/services/www/clubs/wwwroot/ (aka /:/services/www/clubs/wwwroot/) on ftp.personal.psu.edu. DFS testers can now change to the "/clubs/your_club_dir" to get to their club directory.
Due to popular demand we have completed a tutorial for using WS-FTP for Windows to upload to your clubs site. It comes in two versions: Using the main ftp server ftp.clubs.psu.edu, and using the DFS test server. Only use the DFS test server instructions if you have asked to be part of the DFS test.
A new guestbook script is now available, and ODBC (used for database connections) is working again. For details, see our CGI page.
The backlog of applications has now been cleared. If you've submitted an application before today and haven't received an email about it, please email ActivityServer@psu.edu and ask us about it.
We're currently testing a new system that will let you update your web pages using your Access Account. See our DFS Info Page for more information.
We have fixed the problem which prevented updated pages from appearing on the website immediately. There will no longer be a delay between when you update a page and when you view it on your website.
Our application forms are now available again. We apologize for the delay.
The server which runs our application form is currently unavailable. We are working to move this to a different machine. We will update this page when it is available again.
The FTP server is back on line.
Our FTP server seems to have crashed. Since none of the administrators are in State College now, it may take a while to get the machine rebooted. We will post an update here when we have the machine running again.
All applications which had been delivered to the HUB desk before 5 PM today have now been processed. If you submitted your application before then and haven't heard from us, please email ActivityServer@psu.edu. Be sure to include your Access Account userid and your group name.
Everything should be back in working order again. The one change you will notice is that it takes a few minutes for changes you make to your website to appear on the webserver. We are now using the replication service built into Windows NT to automatically copy data from the FTP server to the Web server.
If you notice any problems, please email us at ActivityServer@psu.edu.
The FTP service on ftp.clubs.psu.edu is now available again.
The FTP service on ftp.clubs.psu.edu will be off for an hour or so while we make a few changes.
Some problems occurred during upgrades we made today in an attempt to fix the repeated crashes of the past week. We're running a backup web site now until we can fix this problem. FTP is still available at ftp.clubs.psu.edu, but your changes will not be immediately visible. We will copy changed content to the webserver at least twice a day until this problem is fixed. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The problems with the counters and form mail programs should now be fixed. Note that the form mail program is now named wsendmail.pl, rather than wsendmail.exe. See the CGI Page for more info.
All application forms which were in the HUB desk folder as of about 1 PM today are now complete. See the Admin Page for details.
The first round of applications have been completed and notification emails sent. See the Admin Page for details.
Applications are now available for new groups who want space on this server and existing groups who want to change their web team members. See our administration page for instructions.
All services are back up. If you have any further problems, please let us know at ActivityServer@psu.edu.
The FTP service died on our server. It will be restarted tomorrow morning.
Forms for applications and group membership changes will be posted by the end of the day tomorrow (Friday).
As clarification, www.clubs.psu.edu is now just the web server. Please FTP to ftp.clubs.psu.edu for file upload.
FTP should be working normally again. If you experience any more strange happenings, please let us know at ActivityServer@psu.edu.
FTP server is having problems and will be rebooted at today at 4:15 PM.
The DNS change for www.clubs.psu.edu seems to have taken place this afternoon on the psu.edu DNS servers. If you're using another DNS server, it may take a day to update. If you have any problems reaching www.clubs.psu.edu after tomorrow, please let us know at ActivityServer@psu.edu.
If you're reading this, either the DNS change for www.clubs.psu.edu has taken effect, or you know that this machine is also named clubs.sa.psu.edu. We apologize for the downtime, and are working to get it corrected ASAP.
All user files have now been transferred to the new server. The DNS change has been requested, so once it takes effect www.clubs.psu.edu will point to the new machine. The FTP service will be restored by the end of the week using the existing usernames and passwords. We will announce on this page when the FTP site is available again.
We are still working on the new server. During this time, FTP service is turned off. We fully expect to have it turned on by the end of the week. We know everyone wants to have their pages ready for the start of the semester. While our FTP is unavailable, you can still work on your files on your local machine. When the FTP service is restored, you can then upload your finished pages.
For details, please see the Upgrade page. Watch for an update later tonight as well.
As of this past Saturday, our original mailbox and fax number have been closed. We are currently working with CAC to find a new, more permanent mailbox. Until then we will be unable to honor account change requests that would normally require a printed and signed form from our accounts page. Please return here in the coming weeks to hear updates on this situation.
Service is now again operational.
As the semester draws to a close, so does the time will will accept submissions this semester for account and group applications. Our mailbox at 225 Atherton, along with the fax number (814) 862-7588, will NO LONGER be used by our staff after Saturday, May 1st, 1999. We are working on getting a new mailbox and will inform you from the Applications page when we have found a new one.
Due to complications in the ftp server's authentication service, we will be unable to provide ftp service until we can reset the server. We expect to be able to correct this in the next day or so. Refer to our problems report page for details. Please note that this problem only affects the clubs ftp server (ftp.clubs.psu.edu) and not other services such as the personal server.
By the end of the semester, we plan to start making a series of large changes to the system. Among them range moving the mailbox for applications, applying web server software and major hardware upgrades, fixing common problems we have had with scripts and other server functions, and even changing management to some degree. Other things we plan to change in the not too distant future are switching to kerberos authentication (which uses your CAC Access Account password instead of our own), adding online interactive account management for web team leaders, encryption over Secure Socket Layer, and more. Details and proposed time schedules will be up soon. Please frequent this page in the coming weeks.
Greek Web server preparing for upgrades (4/6/1999) We have been getting reports about the Greek Web Server, which is located on the web at athens.cac.psu.edu, being down unexpectantly during the past week or so. I inquired with CAC and spoke with the administrator of the service. They are preparing some major system upgrades to improve performance. None of which should effect users of the system (webmasters). If you wish to speak with someone about the service, contact their webmaster at webmaster@athens.cac.psu.edu. If you notice that the system is down unexpectantly, please call the CAC Training Office at (814) 863-9522. The Greek Web server is a web hosting service for Fraternities and Sororities at Penn State.
New page layout (4/6/1999) The SAS pages have now been remade for ease of readability and usability. If you came here looking for Application Submission Instructions, you should read our newly incorporated Webpage Administration and Submission Instruction page.
(3/17/99) Crisis averted. The FAX machine just needed to be cleaned; It was a build-up of dust that made streaks.
(3/17/99) FAX machine is down. We have run out of toner. Please use mail until we can replace the toner.
(2/28/99) FTP outage again, required server reboot to fix it. We've created a problems page to keep track of the too-frequent outages. Of course, we won't be able to update the page if there's an outage, because we won't be able to access the server either. Please email ActivityServer@psu.edu to report any problems.
(2/23/99) We have added a new page of links to important and useful sites and Penn State. All Penn State students and organizations are encouraged to visit.
(2/19/99) Server trouble. For some reason FTP authentication stopped working, so users were unable to update their pages. Rebooting the server brought everything back to normal.
(2/16/99) Update: The Fax machine now has paper once again. Also, we have made a change in the ActivityServer@psu.edu alias. It is now set to forward to a mailing list so that more of us can answer you and answer in a smaller period of time. Please continue to contact us with that alias.
(1/28/99) Notice: The Fax machine is currently out of paper. Please wait until we can refill it or send via snail mail.
(1/20/99) Good news. Times two. First off, we were able to discover yet another way to administer accounts remotely. This method does not have the 1000 user limitation so we are please to announce that we will process new group accounts shortly. If you submitted a form since the start of the semester, your form will not be included on the waiting list. Shortly we will post details on when the waiting list and newer forms will be processed. Secondly, we have found a method for restoring the counters since the server failure in December. We will inform you via this page when the restoration is complete.
(12/20/98) A change in application forms: We have now replaced the changeuser.txt form with a renewal form. When adding or removing a member, webteams now specify exactly all members who should be on, and all not listed will be removed. This will help webteams keep better track of active members and speed up the application process. Webteams changing the webmaster still need the old webmaster's signature or two officer's signatures.
(12/17/98) Server trouble: We apologize for the inconvenience of the unexpected down between approximately midnight and 10:30am today. Reason was a remote reboot ended in CMOS errors that needed console attention. A side effect of the down is that the counter log file has been lost. An earlier backup from October 27 has been reinstated in the meantime. If you can remember your group's approximate hit count before last night, and would like that value restored, we can re-apply the old value and catenate the latest hit count as well. Simply email ActivityServer@psu.edu letting us know your group's name, directory, name of counter (in case of multiple counters), and of course, guestimation of hit count.
(11/24/98) The info page on the simple guest book has been revised. There were discrepancies in the code given which were fixed and also we created a few more example files to download and modify for use. Please feel free to try one out on your page and let us know how easy the info page is to follow.
(10/27/98) To avoid confusion between similarly named groups at different campuses, we now require you to specify what campus your group operates from on the new group form. In the case of more than one group with the same name from a different campus (and functioning as a separate group), the new group will have to specify a directory name different from the original.
(9/11/98) Sorry for the inconvenience, but technical difficulties have kept us from receiving some faxes. If you faxed us an application in the past few weeks and have not heard anything from us yet, please send again. Thank you for your help. Please continue to use the below info for sending applications.
(8/25/98) Welcome back. We are now undergoing a transition and will need your cooperation in processing accounts. Until further notice send new applications to:
(5/8/98) Summer's here! Due to recent in-pouring of applications, we will need another two weeks to complete the applications. If you submitted one before the Sunday of finals week, please give us until 5/22/98 to finish. If you haven't heard from us one way or another by then, Let us know. Sorry for the wait.
(2/23/98) New updates! We have fixed the counter/cgi bug and have implemented quite a few useful changes. Details are listed on our new technical notes page.
(2/15/98) The previous webmaster for the Student Activity Server has been replaced. Last semester most of the old members and officers have either retired or graduated, and new members have finally volunteered. We have processed all old applications and should be up to date to the week. If we seemed to have missed your group, please send again or email us.
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Last modified Thursday, 27-Mar-2003 11:27:52 EST. Student Activity Server Committee