Browser Caching Tip on ROHAN

When changes are made to websites on ROHAN, it can take an hour for the modifications to show up on a refresh of the browser page. The reason is caching.

ROHAN sets expiration flags so HTML pages are cached 1 hour, and images for 1 week by the browser viewing the page. ROHAN's web server also keeps an internal memory cache of frequently served static objects. The server cache is refreshed every hour.

You can force the cache (both browser and web server) to update immediately by clicking reload in Firefox. Some browsers don't update cached items unless the SHIFT key is held down while clicking reload. NOTE: IE version 8 only refreshes it's cache if you hold down the CTRL key and click reload. SHIFT reload does not refresh in IE version 8.

ROHAN Streaming Media Server News

The planned move of Streaming Media services from the ROHAN server to the EOMER server for Spring 2010 semester use was announced at the September MWSSLS meeting. This change will happen one week prior to the Spring 2010 semester. The move solves the QuickTime streaming issues for off-campus users. The upload of files remains with ROHAN, as EOMER will just handle the serving of files.

Major change on www-rohan.sdsu.edu

After two months of working on the fine-tuning, Ron Nash switched the ROHAN web services over to a modified proxy server option for static content on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. Using Apache 2.13, www-rohan.sdsu.edu now has a lightweight and a heavyweight side to its web serving. The heavyweight side handles the more complicated php requests, while the lightweight side serves up the shorter text-based requests. This division of labor allows the text-based requests to be served approximately 10 times faster. The default refresh on content is set at one hour, while images are set at one week for their refresh. Kudos to Ron for the service improvement.

Netstorage is Unavailable

Please be aware that server access to ARWEN via Netstorage is unavailable right now. The problem symptom appears as a looping of the request for Authentication. The Server Administrator is aware of the problem and will be addressing it soon. This affects remote access to the User directory, as well as Share/IST_Binder directory for IDT Customer Resources and any forms that are stored on ARWEN. As soon as access can be restored, IDT will update customers. Thank you for your patience.

IDT Backlog of Requests

Please be aware that IDT’s SANS workgroup is experiencing a backlog of work. Between office moves, vacations, paternity leaves, and furloughs, IDT has not had a full crew in several months. SANS has had 2 technicians some of the time, but mostly only 1 technician the majority of the time. The technicians are nearing the completion of the public image refresh and are beginning to address the backlog of requests. Their first priority will be broken equipment (workstations that don’t bootup, printers that don’t print, etc.). Once that is taken care of, they will address requests for changes to hardware and software. Getting there will take some time, so please bear with us. We appreciate and thank you for your patience.