http://ledoux.arbld.unimelb.edu.au/ict-docs/txt/ict-about.html (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)
[Help | I.N.N. | Home]
The Ictinus Network
Here is the latest information about the Ictinus Network and what it's all about.
Index
The Ictinus Network is an information technology project being developed by
the Faculty of Architecture, Building & Planning at the University of Melbourne. It is being developed as a model for the delivery and management of academic
material via a heterogeneous computing network. One of the unique aspects of
this project is that students are able to connect their own personal
computers in their studio to the core computing resources of the Department and
of the University. The Ictinus Network operates on three platforms - DOS,
Macintosh and UNIX and is developed as an open systems network.
The 1993 CAUT grant has been used to accelerate the development of a number of
software utilities, network management programs and multimedia applications
that will be used as a part of the Ictinus Network as a means to improve and
advance the methods of teaching in the Department of Architecture and
Building.
The Ictinus Network Project was initiated by the Department in response to the
University's request for a responsible and progressive Information Technology
plan.
In 1991 the Department developed a proposal that met the requirements of a
revised teaching program in the field of computer aided design (CAD) and
additional computer based curricula. An infrastructure was installed to enable
students and staff to benefit from emerging technologies without having to
radically alter the physical structure and layout of the Architecture &
Planning building or the culture of the typical student studio workplace.
The principle of the Ictinus Network is to provide a core of specific computing
facilities and to extend these and other external resources to the staff and
student's workplace. The establishment of a heterogeneous network, has provided
a framework for a fully integrated educational and administrative computing
environment. Figure 1 illustrates the relationship between the Departments
network and that of surrounding facilities such as Internet and AARNet.
Figure 1 Ictinus Network Concept
Each student in the Department has his or her own work space, containing a
drawing board and a modified locker enabling a personal computer to be stored
securely away. By providing a central core of computing resources such as high
end CAD work stations, computer network servers, network printers, plotters,
slide recorders and other input and output devices, the Department is focusing
its funding resources on ensuring that the best equipment is available for
teaching purposes and serving the network. The Department saw that in the near
future many students will own their own computers (either DOS or Macintosh
platforms) and would be able to connect into the resources of the network at
their own desks. This arrangement both relieves the Department from maintaining
large herds of personal computers and encourages the use of computers as an
everyday work tool.
The Department of Architecture and Building along with the School of
Environmental Planning forms the Faculty of Architecture and Planning. The
Department offers studies in Architecture and Building at both an undergraduate
and postgraduate levels and is composed of approximately 400 undergraduate
students, 40 postgraduate students and 40 academic staff members. A sample of
the available areas of study are listed in the table below.
Design Architectural and building design
Building Construction Drawing documentation
Building Science: Thermal Performance, Acoustics, Lighting
History European, Asian and Modern history
Professional Practice Letter writing, regulations, negotiations
Computers in Architecture CAD, visualisation, productivity
Theory Theory of Architecture
Table 1 Sample areas of study in Architecture & Building
4.0 Ictinus Implimentation Plan
The implementation strategy for the Ictinus Network is based upon phased and
progressive achievements so that the costs in both manpower and investment
terms are minimised and the benefits maximised. A number of key areas need to
be addressed in implementing the current phase (phase two) of the strategy to
meet the needs of both staff and students. The key phases identified are as
follows:
4.1 Phase One
Phase one of the project has been completed and all the infrastructure of the
network is in place. Network servers, printers, plotters, teaching computers,
network wiring and computer desks have all been installed. The initial
installation of computer hardware was funded by an advancement of annual IT
funding. The structure of the network is illustrated in section 5.0 "Existing
Network Structure".
4.2 Phase Two
The Ictinus Network is currently in phase two of the development process. In
this phase of the project, a number of software utilities, network management
programs, multimedia applications and electronic document management systems
will be developed as a means of improving and advancing methods of teaching,
research and student computing support. This phase of the project will take the
most time to implement and will involve the gradual integration of IT into the
curriculum of the Department. The development of software and course-ware for
this purpose is the basis for the application for funding from CAUT. Phase Two
will include the following key areas:
- Training and Awareness
- Identifying and Integrating Standards
- Implementation of applications
- Pedagogical developments
- Technology developments
The developments which have been made in these areas as a result of CAUT
development funding, are summarised in section 13.0, "Project Outcomes" of this
report.
4.3 Phase Three
The objectives and activities for the further implementation of the Ictinus
Network will be identified as a result of the completion of the second phase.
It is envisaged that the third phase of development will involve the complete
integration of information technology into the structure of the curriculum of
the Department and will involve ongoing development of improving teaching
standards.
As previously mentioned, the Ictinus Network is based upon a core of
specifically selected computing facilities such as servers, disk storage, high
end computers, plotters and printers. The network medium in the student studio
areas and lecture theatres is thin ethernet and capable of supporting personal
computers on many platforms: DOS, Macintosh or UNIX. Figure 2 illustrates the
principle of this approach. Through a series of special links, called
multigates, the network has also been extended on an appletalk network to
include the staff office areas which are comprised of Macintosh computers.
Figure 2 The heterogeneous computing environment
Who was Ictinus ?
The Ictinus Network is the name of the Department of Architecture and Building's computing resource network. The naming of the network helps people to identify with the concept of this network configuration rather than something like "That distributed, heterogeneous network over in Architecture & Planning that allows students to bring in their own computer in and connect to the resources that are there."
Ictinus (Iktinos) was the leading architect in Periclean Athens and one of the greatest of all time. With Callicrates, he designed and built the Parthenon (447/6-438 B.C.). He was commissioned by Pericles to design the new Telesterion (Hall of Mysteries) at Eleusis. He also designed the Temple of Apollo Epikourios, Bassai. Analysis of the three buildings ascribed to him, reveals his brilliance as an architect, often using innovations and subtle optical refinements which characterised his work from others at the time. As an innovator of genius, whether in designing a new form of moulding or a new order, his influence on later Greek architecture was profound.
The naming of the network after such a famous architect, continues the tradition of the naming of computers on the Ictinus Network after the famous and influential Architects of our time.
MacMillan Encyclopedia of Architects, Vol. 2, Adolf K. Placzak Editor, 1982, The Free Press, N.Y.
Help | I.N.N. | Home
Enquiries about this or any other page on this server can be directed to the developers.