paper -
83 Reliable Secure Student Computing
Bobbie
C. Ryan, United States Military Academy
John Blanc, United States Military Academy
Each year since 1986 West Point has chosen, procured,
configured, issued and managed 1002 identical new computers to the incoming
freshman class, fondly known as Plebes.
In this paper we discuss the organizational and
logistical challenges of the selection process, the procurement process,
constructing and duplicating the configuration. All these processes are designed so that student computers are
highly available and a standard resource for the cadet 's educational, military
and physical development programs.
Some of the points that will be covered is the logistics of the issue process which occurs over a 48 hour period, the sustained maintenance and support operations that follow. We will then discuss the upgrade process that occurs for the junior class each year.