COMPUTER CENTRE

Introduction

The computer center has continued to provide all the data processing and the IT needs of Kintampo Health Research centre. These include Data processing and management, Local Area Network(LAN) administration, Hardware Engineering and Internet service support. This Department ensures that all these services are delivered with efficiency.

Data Processing and Management.

There has been tremendous improvement in the way data is processed in the past year. A lot of checks have been implemented to ensure that the data captured is of high quality. Most of the range and consistency programs have been reviewed and thoroughly tested using different testing techniques.

A computerized logging system has been implemented to keep track of all the activities that are performed during data processing.(From data entry to updates). It has been our desire that this high level of computerization is extended to our filing office as this office serves as the main gateway to the whole data processing.

Local Area Network (LAN) and Hardware

The year 2004 saw the expansion of our LAN. An additional 25 points were added with an installation of another Switch to co-ordinate. This was as a result of the high demand of staff shearing information and use of resources effectively. The new Switch has extra 24 ports which could be used for further expansion.

The main challenge has been that the main file and printer server currently being used is aged and cannot handle the number of workstations (34) being managed. This is causing serious network problems. Efforts are being made to acquire a better server with higher specification (Pentium IV) that can meet the future expansion of the LAN. Also, we look forward to having a proper server to support the KDSS. An ordinary desk top computer is at the moment being used as the KDSS server which could not cope as the project grows.

The Internet Service

Computer center has been working hard to ensure that staff of KHRC continues to enjoy constant and enhanced internet connectivity. Staff of KHRC have 24/7 internet access which is providing a lot of benefit to individuals and the institution as a whole.

The number of internet workstations have shot up from 12 to 27. Obviously, this will call for an efficient and effective way to monitor and maintain the use of the facility. One of our aims in 2003 was to move to a more reliable Operating system with these capabilities. The server has now been upgraded from Windows 2000 Professional^TM to Windows 2000 Server^TM. This has security and monitoring functionalities that allow us to administer the internet system effectively. Other softwares have also been installed to monitor users and computers to produce reports periodically. This depicts statistics like the top site staff have visited, the top most users of the internet, etc.

Bandwidth has been an issue for some time now. As a research institution, there is the need for the center to have a reasonable amount of space for its staff to download up to date research materials for their scientific work. Also, to be able to transport data to its collaborators via the internet. In order to achieve this, there is the need for the center to increase its bandwidth. We are currently looking at the possibilities of getting a bigger bandwidth but with less cost. As part of the measures put in place to ensure judicious use of the space available to us, we in the interim have restricted visits to websites that require high bandwidth at peak times. This is to ensure that the limited bandwidth is put to good use.

Conclusion

On the whole I would say there have been challenges and successes in the year 2004. We hope to accomplish all our targets we have set in the coming year and improve on our services to the KHRC.