1990.07.23 WiscNet Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 10:03 am in the University Center of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The attendees of the meeting are listed in an attachment to the minutes.
(I) Welcome
The Board was welcomed by Chancellor James R. Conner.
(II) Introduction of New Directors
Tad Pinkerton introduced Tom Schneider of UW Centers, Gordon Jones of UW-Stout, and Anne Iwata of UW System Administration.
(III) Presentation of Leased Circuit Alternatives
Presentations of leased circuit proposals were made by representatives of IBM, Norlight, and DOA and AT&T. Each presentation was followed by a question and answer period.
(IV) Discussion of IBM Alternative
A set of drawings comparing physical and logical backbone structures for IBM/MCI/Merit, CDN, and Norlight was distributed and the memo titled "Information on IBM Alternative for WiscNet," (July 13) mailed with the agenda, was discussed. It was pointed out that the logical backbone structures were nearly identical.
Questions focused on the differences in network management between the IBM alternative and the others. In the other alternatives, MACC manages the logical network structure and depends on the circuit supplier to manage the circuits. In the IBM alternative, IBM would manage both the logical and physical network structures, but would require a WiscNet liaison operation to perform local activities. IBM has a Network Operations Center (NOC) staffed 24 hours per day. MACC has operations staff 24 hours each day; engineering staff works 8 hours per day. The network cost comparison over four years is $2.3M for IBM and $1.5M for Norlight/MACC.
(V) Action on Tabled Motion
The following motion was retrieved from the table from the previous Board meeting. The motion passed.
M/S/P to proceed on the communications circuit decision without waiting for the IBM proposal.
(VI) Decision on Network Supplier
The discussion focused on the Norlight and CDN alternatives. Memos mailed with the agenda that were referenced in the discussion were "Estimated Costs of WiscNet (Norlight Alternative) - Revised" (July 13), "CDN Alternative for WiscNet" (July 17), and "WiscNet Expansion Scenario and Estimated Costs" (July 17).
Questions included how the Norlight proposal compares to the WiscNet operating budget. According to the first memo, the one-time costs are higher but the annual costs are lower than budget. In response to the question of which network grows more gracefully, it was pointed out that the costs of the CDN alternative would rise with network growth while Norlight had indicated that historically their rates had declined. Also, the cost of higher bandwidth tail circuits (the most logical place for growth) would be lower for Norlight than for CDN. The question of whether appropriate use policies would be a concern for DOA was raised. DOA had indicated that they did not foresee a problem with the policy as currently defined.
The question of whether DOA would permit WiscNet to choose Norlight was raised. The consensus was that the Board should make the best choice based on cost, performance, and technical parameters.
M/S/P to accept Norlight as the supplier of choice for backbone circuits for WiscNet. The vote was 18 for, 2 opposed, 3 abstentions, and 1 absent.
(VII) Approval of Minutes of June 26 Meeting
M/S/P to approve minutes of June 26, 1990 meeting.
(VIII) Next Meeting
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for September 26, 1990 in Green Bay.
(IX) Remainder of Agenda
M/S/P to refer the remainder of the agenda to the next meeting.
Also distributed at the meeting was a Network Manager Report from MACC dated July 20.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
John L. Beck
Secretary
Attendees - WiscNet Board of Directors Meeting - July 23, 1990
Directors
John Beck, UW-La Crosse
Philip Charest, UW-Parkside
Michael Dorl, UW-Madison
James Evans, Lawrence University
Carla Garnham, Medical College of Wisconsin
Tom Gustafson, UW-Superior
Chris Hackbart, Edgewood College
Roger Hodek, UW-Green Bay
Gerald Isaacs, Carroll College
Anne Iwata, UW-System Administration
James Johnson, UW-Platteville
Gordon Jones, UW-Stout
George Keulks, UW-Milwaukee
C. Edward Mathay, Marquette University
William Meyer, UW-Extension
John Nierengarten, UW-River Falls
Tad Pinkerton, UW-Madison
Roi Prueher, UW-Eau Claire
Tom Schneider, UW Centers
James Schurter, UW-Stevens Point
Norman Stoner, UW-Whitewater
John Sutton, St. Norbert College
Robert Taylor, Ripon College
Charles R. Williams, Beloit College
Staff
Manly Draper, UW-Madison
Visitors and Guests
Francis George, UW-System Administration
Lee Goldesberry, UW-Parkside
Lyle Hunter, UW-Whitewater