Das Rechenzentrum macht es möglich

RWU does not stand still even in these extraordinary days and weeks. In many places new solutions are being worked on with commitment and creativity. With the series "Corona - What's up", we want to focus not only on what is currently not possible, but especially on what's up.

As long as the technology at the university is running smoothly, the RWU computer center is rarely in focus. It is only when something is not working as expected is when assistance is requested. Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus and its consequences, everything here has moved very quickly.

Understanding and recognition

Many employees needed access to the university's network to work from home. To make this possible, about 100 access points known as VPNs were created within a week. To share the magnitude of changes, "in total, the computer center helpdesk received over 400 individual requests in March. More than double the number of normal months” shared by Professor Mutschler who is the head of the computer center. However, the implementation requires acknowledgment: "We are very pleased with the understanding shown to us by our colleagues. Many have seen that we are working at peak load," says Benjamin Gierlich, a member of the Computing Center staff.

"Great dynamics and collaborations have emerged"

In this emergency, it became apparent that an overarching strategy in the area of conference software was missing. However, this resulted in "great dynamics and new collaborations with the didactics team in the area of the BigBlueButton, among others," says data center employee Elmar Holm. The BigBlueButton is a GDPR-compliant (General Data Protection Regulation) OpenSource tool that enables online videoconferences to be held.

Through the cooperation and commitment of colleagues from the Business Informatics department, the computer center was able to provide additional laptops for employees. Approximately 30 devices, which are typically used as laboratory equipment, made working from home possible during these unique times.

News & FAQ about Corona at RWU