IT Disaster Recovery Testing

Disaster Recovery Test Successfully Completed

The University has successfully completed an extremely complex disaster recovery test for our most critical computer systems. This test involved a simulation of the loss of our primary data centre. The planned response to this was then tested, which involved re-configuring our network and launching and testing key systems at an alternate site. In addition, we tested ITS business continuity processes.

The full test was successfully completed 1.5 hours ahead of schedule on Sunday. This was achieved by shifts covering 20 hours a day and included the work of reversing the process to bring the systems back to normal operations.

This kind of exercise carries considerable risk and requires a high level of planning and control. Whilst there were some stressful moments over the weekend this has been a highly successful test.

I would like to acknowledge and thank staff from throughout the University who contributed towards the testing, particularly IT Services teams involved in the preparation work and those who worked throughout the weekend, under great pressure and with good humour.

In addition, I would like to thank staff from the following areas who assisted with system testing:

  • Registrar’s Office
  • Finance
  • Capital Works & Facilities
  • Human Resources
  • Audit & Risk
  • Teaching Development Unit
  • Library.

I would also like to acknowledge staff from the Office of Public Affairs and independent observers Moira Saccasan (School of Accounting) and Stephen Hansen (formerly School of Computing & Mathematics and a recent UWS Psychology graduate).

Thanks are also due to Campus Safety and Security for looking after the teams over the weekend, uwsconnect for providing catering and to the UWS community for bearing with us while systems were offline on Friday.

As always, if you encounter any issues with systems please contact the IT Service Desk on extension 5111.

Regards,

Sarah Chaloner
Acting Director, IT Services

Disaster Recovery Testing

UWS Information Technology Services (ITS) undertook disaster recovery testing on all IT systems from 10.00 pm Thursday, 7 July until 7.00 pm Sunday, 10 July 2011.

This testing was a proactive step to ensure the continued operation of critical IT services in the event of major system failure in a UWS data centre.

The testing simulated major system failure and involved a total shutdown of all IT systems at the University’s main data centre (see examples of what are IT systems). Five critical systems were then transferred to an alternative data centre and tested for their functionality before being transferred back to their original data centre.

The University acknowledges this was of some inconvenience to students and staff however, this testing was critical.

The outcomes of the testing have informed necessary changes and confirmed the effectiveness of UWS’ IT Disaster Recovery Plan.

If you have any queries please email disasterrecovery@uws.edu.au or phone (02) 9678 7761 (ext 7761).