Earlier this year we posted an article explaining what goes on behind the scenes when you log into a computer in one of 60 MSU computer labs.
This follow-up article shares some of the exciting advancements we’ve made to improve computer lab login times.
What we’ve done in 2014
During spring and summer 2014, IT Services installed new computers in six computer labs including Bessey Hall 211 and 317, Business College N12, Natural Resources 218, Olds Hall 12, and Wells Hall B110G.
These new computers are equipped with specialized and robust hard drives that bring login times down to about one and a half minutes.
Over the fall 2014 semester, we upgraded the hard drives in all 230 computers that run the instructor classroom technology carts, replacing the current standard drives with new solid state drives.
This significantly cuts down the boot up and login times of the technology carts. Log in times are about one minute, compared to three or four minutes before the upgrade.
What’s planned for 2015
During the spring and summer 2015 semesters, IT Services will be installing new computers in six more computer labs: Anthony Hall 1210, Case Hall 337, Farrell 106, Student Services 26, Urban Planning 111, and Wells Hall B 110H.
All of these high performance computers were built with the enhanced hard drives that improve login times to about one and a half minutes.
Also over spring and summer, we will be upgrading the hard drives to more robust solid state drives in 10 of the most popular computer labs: Berkey Hall 216, Brody 143, Bessey Hall 216 and 217, Chemistry 218, Computer Center 403 and 415, Eppley 109, South Kedzie 222, and Wells Hall B 110F.
These solid state hard drives cut the login time down to about one minute.
IT Services continues to research and test new ways to improve performance and enhance the features available in university computer labs.
We are proud of the improvements we’ve been able to implement so far and are excited to offer even more improvements in the year ahead.
