Windows Vista is the latest operating system from Microsoft intended to run on a destkop or laptop computer.  Released in January 2007, this new operating system has implemented many changes over it predecessor, Windows XP, and as a result will require extensive testing by El Paso Community College before it is deployed system wide.  The EPCC Information Technology Department has begun testing Windows Vista in a lab environment.  EPCC will be installing the Enterprise Version of Windows Vista as it has been determined that this version will be best suited for the college's network environment.

EPCC will test all of the applications in use by the college before deployment.  The IT Department will attempt to get vendor certification for the application, however, EPCC will not necessarily wait for vendor certification if the college is able to independently verify that the application works properly since vendors often lag behind.  EPCC will actively work with our vendor partners to accelerate the resolution of Vista issues.

The EPCC IT Department has already begun testing the Windows Vista operating system and several applications running under Vista (see below).
 

Application	Findings
Banner	EPCC has tested Vista with the new Java-based Administrative Banner Client. The application does not run due to a compatibility problem with the Oracle Plug-In.
CA AntiVirus	Update will be released on Wednesday 3/7/07 by CA.  EPCC will test update throughly in a test lab environment.
Imaging Xtender	EPCC has tested Imaging Xtender application with Vista and was unable to register application DLL.
Cisco VPN Client	Does not work.  Cisco is working on a beta version that will be designed to work with Vista.
Remote Assistance	Ongoing, testing is not yet complete
Plato	Ongoing, testing is not yet complete
WebCT / Blackboard	Ongoing, testing is not yet complete
HyperTerm	No longer installed with Vista
Telnet	Disabled by default
Windows Volume Licensing	EPCC has identified an issue with volume licensing activation key registration.  A solution will be tested in a test lab environment.

Because of these ongoing issues, IT will be delaying the release of Windows Vista. Once IT is confident in Windows Vista compatibility with the most commonly used applications and college services, it will be made available.

EPCC will not be installing Windows Vista on new computers until AFTER testing is complete and it has been shown to work with the most commonly used applications.  The IT Department has already upgraded its minimum computer purchasing standards/specifications based on Windows Vista requirements.  After testing, new computers that are installed as part of the normal replacement cycle will be installed with Windows Vista.
 
EPCC will install Windows Vista on some existing client computers beginning this summer, but only under certain conditions. For example, if the client requests it, and only if the computer meets certain minimum requirements.
 
EPCC will NOT, as a rule, upgrade the hardware on old computers (buy more RAM, etc.) to support Windows Vista as there is little reason to do so. Those computers will continue to run their current operating, and will be upgraded only as part of the college’s normal computer replacement cycle.

To facilitate the testing and rollout of Windows Vista, the EPCC Information Technology Department will be forming a working group to formalize the college's plans regarding this new operating system.  It will include representatives from the network group, the tech support group, the application group, TRC, and the ACS labs.

It's Charge is:

To test Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise operating system in different environments within EPCC.  Members will setup Windows Vista testing computers in labs and offices and install the applications that are presently used in these areas.  Windows Vista will be tested for hardware and software compatibility issues.  Members will look for solutions to the problems found.  Test results and solutions will be documented.  The committee will make recommendations to the CIO/Vice-President of Information Technology on the establishment of policies and procedures required to upgrade the District to the Windows Vista operating system.

 

Based on ongoing research and testing, the college is updating the minimum Desktop and Laptop Standards that are recommended by the IT Department for future support of Windows Vista.

	EPCC IT  Minimum Recommendations (New PCs Designed for Windows Vista)	EPCC IT  Minimum Recommendations (Existing PCs Designed for Windows XP)	Microsoft Minimum Requirements(Windows Vista Capable) Will boot to OS only, not sufficient to run applications *	Previous Recommended Minimal Hardware Specifications
	Administrative, Academic and Instructional	Administrative, Academic and Instructional	Administrative, Academic and Instructional	Administrative, Academic and Instructional
	Desktop	Desktop	Desktop	Desktop
Processor (CPU)	Intel 2 Core Duo 2.4 GHz or AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 2.4 or Intel Single Core 3.2 GHz processor	Minimum 3.2 GHz Processor	Modern Processor at least 800Mhz.	Intel 3.2 GHz processor (or faster)
System Memory	Minimum 2 GB RAM	Minimum 1 GB RAM	512MB RAM	1 Gigabyte RAM
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)	Windows Aero Capable DirectX 9-class GPU that supports: • A WDDM Driver • Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware • 32 bits per pixel	DirectX 9 Capable (WDDM Driver Support recommended)	DirectX 9 Capable (WDDM Driver Support recommended)
Graphics Memory	256 MB	128 MB
Hard Drive	160 GB Hard Drive with 15 GB free space	120 GB Hard Drive with 15 GB free space	20 GB Hard Drive with 15 GB free space	120 GB SATA Hard Drive
Optical Drive	DVD-RW/CD Combo Drive	DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive	DVD ROM Drive	DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
Floppy Drive	None	3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Drive		3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Drive
Sound Card	Direct X compatible sound card with front panel connections	SoundBlaster Audigy II compatible sound card with front panel connections		SoundBlaster Audigy II compatible sound card with front panel connections
Network Card	10/100/1000 NIC Card	10/100/1000 NIC Card		10/100/1000 NIC Card
PCI Slots	3 PCI Slots and 1 PCI Express Slot	3 PCI Slots and 1 PCI Express Slot		3 PCI Slots and 1 PCI Express Slot
Miscellaneous Ports	PS2/Serial Parallel/USB Ports (2/2/1/6) (At least 2 USB ports must be accessible on the front of the cabinet)	PS2/Serial Parallel/USB Ports (2/2/1/2) (USB ports must be accessible on the front of the cabinet)		PS2/Serial Parallel/USB Ports (2/2/1/2) (USB ports must be accessible on the front of the cabinet)
Keyboard and Mouse	104+ Keyboard and Optical Mouse	104+ Keyboard and Mouse		104+ Keyboard and Mouse
Monitor	17" LCD	17" LCD		17" LCD
Warranty	3 year on site support parts & labor			3 year on site support parts & labor
Software	Windows XP Professional with SP2 installed	Windows XP Professional with SP2 installed		Windows XP Professional with SP2 installed
	Laptop	Laptop	Laptop	Laptop
Processor (CPU)	Intel® Core™ 2 Duo 2.0 GHz or AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 2.0 GHz	Pentium IV or Mobile Pentium IV Processor, 1.8 GHz		Pentium IV or Mobile Pentium IV Processor, 1.8 GHz
System Memory	Minimum 2 GB RAM	Minimum 1 GB RAM		512 MB
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)	Windows Aero Capable DirectX 9-class GPU that supports: • A WDDM Driver • Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware • 32 bits per pixel	DirectX 9 Capable (WDDM Driver Support recommended)
Graphics Memory	256 MB	128 MB
Hard Drive	80GB 7200RPM SATA with 15 GB free space	80GB with 15 GB free space
Optical Drive	DVD-RW/CD Combo Drive	CD-RW/DVD		CD-RW/DVD
Floppy Drive	None			3.5" 1.44 MB
Sound Card	Integrated Direct X compatible sound card with front panel connections
Network Card	10/100 NIC Card, Integrated Wireless Card and Modem	Integrated Wireless Card and Modem		Integrated Wireless Card and Modem
Expansion Slots	1 expansion slot open	1 expansion slot open		1 expansion slot open
Miscellaneous Ports	Four USB 2.0	USB 2.0		USB 2.0
Display	14" SXGA+ Display	14" SXGA+ Display		14" SXGA+ Display
Warranty	3 year on site support parts & labor	3 year on site support parts & labor		3 year on site support parts & labor
Software	Windows XP Professional with SP2 installed	Windows XP Professional with SP2 installed		Windows XP Professional with SP2 installed

* Industry recommendations and the IT Department advise that new computer purchases should exceed the minimum Microsoft recommendations because experience shows that acceptable performance typically requires hardware that exceeds Microsoft’s minimum specifications.

 

 

SunGard Higher Education Clients,
 

SunGard Higher Education will test Windows Vista with our UDC solutions and will announce support once that testing is complete. Certification is not expected until later this year, and is dependent upon support from Oracle (for Banner) and Sun (for Luminis Platform).
 

It is our recommendation that clients do not install either Vista or IE7 at this time. Any feedback that you care to provide as a result of your own testing efforts is always welcome, and may be shared with the Customer Support Center at your convenience.