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WSO Server Restoration January 2007

9 bytes added, 23:18, January 3, 2007
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As of 8:20 PM Wednesday January 3, 2007.
We are currently running from a copy of the backup, with Irene (our iMac) standing in for Ursula (our Xserve). All services should be functioning "normally" from the backup (in their September 9th state), but they may be slower than usual. '', though Irene hasn'For t had much trouble with the time being, users should ''not'' bother to update any infoload yet. We will announce when it is best to do so.'''
== What happened? ==
WSO's user and mail server experienced a severe crash on December 31, 2006. After installing a system security update, the server did not finish rebooting successfully. The server has been down or nonfunctional since then. Upon arriving on campus, we discovered that the software system designed to prevent data loss due to the physical failure of one of the machine's hard disks had been corrupted. After numerous troubleshooting attempts and support calls, we've concluded that it is unrecoverable and we are now restoring restored from a backup. Unfortunately, and contrary to what the WSO staff thought, our most recent full backup dates to September 9, 2006. We are currently running with all normal services but with data from this backup.
== What was affected? ==
== What is WSO doing? ==
We are currently working to restore running a different machine (Irene the backup and apply all subsequent system updates. Our subsequent plans are currently iMac) as followsa replacement for our user server (Ursula)# Restore It has files from the backup -- when this is completed, services as they existed on September 9 , 2006 backup. Changes by users should will resumebe retained here (barring any further disasters), but '''we strongly encourage users to make and keep backups of their personal data or organization website data.# Apply system updates# Restore We do not have backups set up for the password reset tool# Deal with individual requests and other small configuration change which are necessarytemporary user machine yet.'''
Now that we have a working replacement for Ursula, we will continue working on issues on Ursula. In the next few days we will be working on rebuilding Ursula from scratch to have a machine that we know well at our disposal. When this process is complete, we will switch to the new Ursula. At this point, a short downtime for copying the most recent user data will be needed.
== How can I get my files and settings back? ==
'''We will make an announcement when you should It is now fine to proceed with the following stepshere.''' (Any attempts made before then may be a waste of your time.)
=== Files ===
Restore any personal backups. Please remember that WSO does not guarantee the integrity of user data. We apologize for the inconvenience this that the outdatedness of our backup may causefor users.
=== Account info ===
For accounts created after September 9, 2006, please visit the accounts page at <http://wso.williams.edu/accounts/> to sign up for an account (again). For email forwarding updates or password changes, please use '''We have not had the appropriate utilities linked from the WSO home page (on opportunity to test the lower left). The password reset utility is currently not available but will be soon. Please wait until it is ready (we will announce functionality of this)post-restore yet.'''
=== Other problems ===For email forwarding updates or password changes, please use the appropriate utilities linked from the WSO home page (on the lower left). All of these utilities should now be functional.
Please describe any other === Reporting problems, updates, or changes you need WSO to make on the [[Talk:WSO Server Restoration January 2007 | talk page]]. Please do '''not''' email us, '''unless''' your request involves sensitive personal information... in this case email your request to <email>restoration@wso.williams.edu</email>. (Remember that email to any address at WSO will not be received until our restore is complete.)===
Also feel free Please report any other problems, updates, or changes you need WSO to offer your help on the Talk page or make by emailing us at sending email to <email>restoration@wso.williams.edu</email>. Also feel free to offer your help.
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