Welcome to a new year a new tech report! In this issue I will cover news from both December and January. This is usually the slowest time of the year for the IT Department. There is not as much to discuss in this report.
Issues & Changes
Issue #1 – Relay Update and iOS 13.3
Right before Winter Break Lightspeed announced they had updated their app (Relay) to fix a previous issue with iOS 13. The previous issue involved users losing Internet upon installation of iOS 13. The fix was to uninstall Relay and reinstall using our Mobile Device Management server.
This new update required students to update to iOS 13.3 as well as receive the new updated Relay app. Unfortunately, when students received the new relay app before being upgraded to iOS 13.3, they lost their Internet.
I sent a message to staff and students the week before break informing them of what to do and how to fix the issue. The week after break, many students found themselves without Internet because they had not followed directions and updated. I sent a school wide email on 1/6/20 and staff were very diligent in helping students get back online. You can read more about this issue and solution by going to the link below:
Status = Resolved
Issue #2 – Apple Classroom
Another issue encountered right after break was with Apple Classroom. The issue was actually with the connection between our Mobile Device Management Server (JAMF) and Apple School Manager. An Apple update caused an issue in communication relating to the SSL Certificate. Classes, students, and new devices were not able to be uploaded into JAMF from School Manager.
This was a global issue and affected everyone using JAMF and Apple School Manager. Fortunately this meant there were solutions available and I was able to make some changes to the server to implement the fix. The server was only down for a couple hours and Classroom is back up and running.
Status = Resolved
Issue #3 – Relay After School Rules
A few students were complaining about their iPads not working on certain websites such as google and spotify at home. I investigated this issue and discovered the After School Rules for our web filter did not include the whitelisted websites. This meant generic web filtering at home for students and many things that should have worked were not working. I turned after school rules off in hopes of correcting this issue.
Status = Pending Resolved
Issue #4 – Personal Devices
It has been brought to my attention students in 12th grade have been using their own personal devices in school instead of their school issued iPad. My stance on this has never changed. Personal devices ARE NOT to be used for doing school work on our network. As a luxury I have provided guest access for cell phones. This is for lunch periods as well as before and after school access. It is also for guest and staff cell phone access.
It seems every year this becomes an issue with seniors. This is about equitability in learning. Not all students have access to the same tech at home. Additionally, we have had students in the past attempt to use their personal devices to circumvent web filters or even hack into our network. Finally, younger students see seniors using personal devices and think it’s okay. They begin breaking the rules as well.
Our AUP states:
If it comes down to it, I will block these devices from our network and may cut off access to cell phones as well. I do not wish to do this. Please help to enforce this policy.
Status = Ongoing
New & Upcoming
New Card Entry in Main Foyer
Teachers should have noticed there are now card readers in two spots in the main foyer (1. to get into main hallway and 2. to get into support services wing.) . These were put in by BT Video over Winter Break and should make it easier to get from place to place in the building as well as provide additional security. Previously doors were being unlocked because not everyone had keys to get into Support Services or the main hallway.
New Signs
Work began this past week on the new Marquees and Building Sign with electricians coming out complete the electrical work. We hope to see these new signs this spring.
New iPads
This past week I requested a quote for new iPads for next year. We paid our 4 year lease off in 3 years and will be getting new iPads for next school year.
JAMF Server Update
This Friday, January 17, I will be performing a major update of our JAMF Pro Server. This will require an OSX update as well prior to the start. Whenever there is a major update, there is the chance of issues. I hope all will go smoothly and server will be back up in a couple hours. Students will not be in school Friday so this is the perfect opportunity to complete this update.
Support Ticket Breakdown
Lost iPads
Insurance Claims
Reminders
- Please remember to fill out support tickets for support issues.
- Take care of your devices.
- Visit HAST Tech Store for chargers, screen protectors, and to pay iPad deductible online
