Bandwidth entering the data center is derived from multiple DS-3connections (using BGP4 protocol) linked in turn to an OC-48 backbone provided by UUNet and Sprint, the two leaders in Internet connectivity.

Data is backed up nightly to an automated tape library that can handle over 5 terabytes of data.

Cisco Systems routers and switches connect the GroupMinder servers to the Internet. Because the system was designed for maximum uptime, all routers and switches have built-in redundancy. In addition, the data center backbone possesses the latest available Gigabit Ethernet technology.

The data center sits on redundant power grids within the city of Louisville, so the loss of even an entire grid will not disrupt electrical service to the “center”. In-coming power to the center is conditioned and delivered at consistent levels via redundant UPS systems. In turn, these systems are backed-up by a diesel generator that is tested monthly for reliability and which is capable of producing enough power to maintain the data center for weeks.

FM200 Dry Fire Suppression system tanks will immediately extinguish any unlikely fires through dry chemicals that, unlike water, will not damage hardware nor disrupt service.

Redundant Liebert heating, ventilation and cooling units maintain room temperature and humidity inside the data center at ideal conditions. Air is vented under the raised floor and directed through perforated panels. This allows maximum airflow throughout the center and the equipment itself.

To gain access to the equipment within the data center, a person must swipe an electromagnetic access card to enter the building, provide a personal password, scan his or her hand through a scanner, and unlock the appropriate cabinet with a key. All access inside and outside the data center is monitored 24x7x365.

In addition to monitoring the movement of people throughout the data center, we monitor our equipment, network utilization, latency, packet loss, and service availability at the Network Operations Center (NOC). Response to problems is immediate so that service is uninterrupted.

Should be Pentium II (or better) with a minimum of 16 MB of ram. Hard drive space, sound card and browser plug-in are not required.

Have been designed with a minimum of graphical embellishments to shorten download times. Client computers accessing these portals however should use Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher.

a. For maximum speed and productivity a broadband connection is best, but a 56K (unshared) modem connection will be sufficient.

b. Screen resolution should be maintained at 800 X 600 or higher with 256 colors or higher. “Cookies” must be turned on, and browsers should be configured so that the newest version of the page appears on each page visit.

While either “Explorer” or “Netscape” may be used as a system browser, it must be in version 5.0 or higher.

a. A 56K modem connection is sufficient, but a broadband connection is recommended

b. Resolution of Client Internet machines should also be kept at 800 X 600 with 16K color or higher. Cookies must be turned on and browsers should be configured to get the newest version of the page on every visit to a page.

With around-the-clock availability essential, SQL Server 2000 was developed to provide the highest level of dependability. DELL, among other companies that rely heavily on SQL, has reported 99.9985 percent availability for an entire year.

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition scales up to 64 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and up to 32 CPUs. This can be used in conjunction with scale-out techniques, such as Distributed Partitioned Views, to handle the largest data sets and transactional loads.

Currently, the world’s fastest database, “Server 2000” can handle up to 688,220 transactions per minute! On the TPC-C performance list, SQL Server holds the number one position, four of the top five, and five of the top 10 results.

SQL Server 2000 installs with a high level of security by default, taking advantage of Microsoft Windows® 2000 integrated security. “Server 2000” also possesses sophisticated security features that include powerful and flexible “role-based” security for server, database, and application profiles; integrated tools for security auditing; and support for complex file and network encryption.

GroupMinder is accessible from any Web terminal in the world. This allows authorized users of the application to carry out their assigned functions from multiple locations without costly setups or geographically imposed limitations. This feature also allows multiple offices or branches to interact with ease and to draw data from a central, live, and always up-to-date location.

GroupMinder code is streamlined to produce files that are as small as possible and that download quickly. In addition, as many database interactions as possible have been converted into “SQL Stored Procedures” to both minimize the load on the Database servers and to reduce query-processing time. All data integrity functions have also been converted into “SQL Triggers considerably faster than page-coded queries.

GroupMinder also uses a proprietary form validation script (JavaScript) that has reduced that component to 60% of its original size. This script not only downloads faster but also redirects some of the load that could potentially be placed on the Application Server and places it on the client’s computer. This allows the server to be freed up for critical functions, thereby enhancing response time.

All graphics used to enhance Groupminder’s navigation and user interface have been manipulated and reduced to the smallest possible file size. This results in faster loading pages.

To ensure reliability, GroupMinder has been extensively tested using real-time data and performance load scenarios. By using only proven, mainstream technologies together with components that integrate seamlessly, GroupMinder functions well even in extreme, high demand situations.

GroupMinder uses all non-proprietary, plus some publicly unavailable methods to speed up and diminish server load, helping to maximize both server and system up-time.

GroupMinder components have been developed and organized with parallelism in mind. Once a user becomes familiar with a single component, all other components then become simultaneously familiar. As a result, users require only minimal training to productively carry out their tasks.

Consistency is paramount to ease of use. All error, confirmation, and notification messages have the same format and are displayed in the same location. Special attention has been paid to establishing a consistent nomenclature for all GroupMinder components.

GroupMinder uses proprietary technology that allows multiple users to be created in the system. Users can be assigned rights based on their needs and functions.

The system uses an audit feature to log actions by all users. Administrators can consult the audit log to search for specific actions and any misuses of the system.

All delete functions require confirmation to prevent accidental deletion of any data.

System administrators can further enhance the security of the system by requiring minimum character lengths for usernames and passwords and also by configuring the system to periodically expire user passwords. The system automatically prevents the user from reusing passwords and also prevents multiple users from using a single username password combination.

A 64-bit key, unique to each client, serves to encrypt all sensitive information stored in the database, thereby rendering the data unusable through any unauthorized access.

Data transferred between client computers and application or database servers is channeled through 128 bit SSL connections. Thus, if the data were to be intercepted by unauthorized individuals, it would be encrypted and therefore unusable.

GroupMinder has been programmed in a shared component format. Pages that carry out similar functions share components (ColdFusion Custom Tags). Modifying a function requires changing only a single component. All pages using that function will then automatically have access to the updated version of the component.

The application has been mapped in easy-to-follow flow charts that facilitate construction, understanding and problem solving, while carefully commented programming allows code to be easily understood by other developers.

GroupMinder is designed with the following disaster precautions and disaster recovery measures in mind.

The application is served from high availability servers that are over-engineered to withstand the highest loads.

Redundant components, including mirrored hard drives, redundant network cards and redundant power supplies are used to help guard against component failure.

Three-tier architecture is used for load balancing of complex processes.

All code is written to make efficient use of the most available computing resources.

All servers are co-located at a “Cisco Certified” data center that meets the highest security and availability standards.

On-site, nightly backups are implemented for all data.

A contract is in place with DELL that provides a 24x7/4-hour (their highest level)response-time guarantee.

Additional off-site, nightly backup is available for a nominal fee upon request through the resources of Collegiate Athletic Travel.