Objective & Brief Overview:

COMSATS Information Technology Center exists as an industrial unit in the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Abbottabad. The objective of this center is to provide IT services to the CIIT Campuses and to the corporate world.
The following are core departments of the CITC:
» Software House
» Research & Development
» Internet Services
» Computing & Network Services
» Trainings

 

Software House:

Main house activities are concentrated to following areas:

• On demand software development unique software solutions by the customer requirements
• Internet/Intranet applications development applications for e-business, e-procurement, Internet/Intranet extension of existing systems
• E-commerce solution
• Interactive CD Development

Software projects Completed:
• COMSATS Student Information System (COMSIS)
• Admission System CIIT Campuses
• Test Engine for National Testing Services
• MIS for Cantonment Boards
• Official Web Site for SAF Games 2004
• Learning Management System
• MIS for 15 Madadgar (Abbottabad)
• Video Conferencing
• Web sites for CIIT Abbottabad
• Web Site for BISE Abbottabad
• Numerous other websites

Research & Development:

Research Paper Published

Title of Paper "Logon Information Viewer for Windows 2000"
Author Name "Muhammad Usman Shahid"
IEEE conference paper in "SCONEST 2003"
Dated 7 October 2003 to 9 Oct 2003

Abstarct:

The purpose of Logon Information Viewer for Windows 2000 is to centralize
the event logging system for different workstations and servers and to
make it web based for administration purposes.

Heterogeneous Parallel and Distributed Computing:

Heterogeneous Parallel and Distributed Computing (HPDC) system is a process whereby sets of workstations (WSs)/PCs connected by a network are used collectively to solve a single large problem. As more and more WSs/PCs are interconnected with high-speed local area networks, the combined computational resource may exceed the power of a single high-performance computer. The interconnected computers in HPDC system may be made by different vendors or have different compilers, may have to contend with different types of heterogeneity:
» Architecture,
» Data format,
» Machine load, and
» Network load.
About HPDC Research lab:
HPDC Research Lab has been active since November of 2001. The research team, composed of Mr. Sajjad, Mr. Usman Aftab and Mr. Abubakar is headed by Mr. Haroon Rashid (Director CIIT Abbottabad). The HPDC Department also has close collaboration with Faculty of KFUPM (King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia) and University of HoKaido, Japan.

Fields of research:

HPDC department is focusing on the core issues of Distributed Computing i.e.
» Load Balancing
» Scheduling
» Grain Size Problem
The research in HPDC lab is being carried out on empirical tests using various problem domains, such as:
» Simulation for rotating fluid in centrifuge
» Image retracing and 3D rendering
» Solving computationally intensive equations
Different empirical tests are being performed on these problems to achieve balanced and efficient results i.e. maximum CPU utilization and minimum response time, exploiting HPDC environment.
Linux Distribution and Solutions

We at CIIT Abbottabad are also trying to build our own Linux Distribution which will be a customized solution for educational and development environments. Firstly we are launching Disk Less Linux Distribution then afterwards we will enhance it to full featured Distribution. It is in final stages and we are hopping to launch it in next few months

Another area in which CIIT Abbottabad is involved is launching of a Linux book which is almost complete and we will soon publish it.
We also have heterogeneous and homogenous environment in house and in our Labs which includes Windows, Linux and Solaris and we are now in a position to help any organization or enterprise level group to switch from Windows to Linux with Data, applications and end user requirements.

Internet Services:

Internet is the most important source of information and communication now and in a educational setup such as this It university we need a good internet link to serve the computer labs and offices for that matter CIIT’s educational ISP started operation in October 2001. Right now we are operating with a clear bandwidth of 1 Mbps via PTCL’s STM1 backbone and a 512Kbps-1Mbps downlink from SingTel. Thus having the strongest backbone in the area. This bandwidth is serving a 200-node campus LAN and number of dialup users.

Some of our evolutional details are as under:

• CIIT ISP started operation in October 2001 with 64Kbps shared link

• Routing of Class C IP addresses (256 IPs) through Cyber House Pvt. Ltd to our interface dated 19/10/2001
• Commissioning of Internal LAN proxy and NAT services with FTP DNS Web and mail servers dated 20/10/2001
• Network consultancy to Hazara University (February 2002)

• Installation of 30 phone lines for dialup ports and activation of 131 hunting number for CIIT ISP (ISPN/IBA/72 dated 18/4/2002)
• The bandwidth of the link was upgraded to 256 Kbps during the month of May 2002 (A-End node Tellabs 2001, B-End node 419).
• Start of test dialup service from June 2002.
• Addition of 128-256Kbps DVB/IP based satellite downlink service (July 2002 via Speed Cast)

• Start of formal paid dialup services for students and staff July 2002 with following packages.

• Media up gradation for dialup user (PTCL’s 0.6 grade 100 pair cable termination in ISP)

• Satellite link upgrade; 512Kbps DVB service from Singapore Telecomm.

• August 2003; Hardware upgrade; addition of latest Xeon and P4 servers in setup along with Cisco 3640, 2621 routers and Catalyst switches for better bandwidth management.

• August 2003; addition of 3Com remote access server and addition of 60 dialup ports for better connectivity.
We are running almost every available Internet service to facilitate our users including web and client based email system, FTP storage facilities, Web hosting with application and database support. Our prepaid Internet access cards are an easy way to get connected to ciit net via any PSTN link. We have a comprehensive billing and accounting system built within department. Our service charges are at lower end as compared to other commercially available ISPs in the region having comparable service performance. This setup is also playing its role in technical growth of the community providing consultancy services in computer networks and data communication fields, and giving hands on experience and technology exposure to student of CIIT.

 

Computing & Network Services:

Parts of the Projects or projects related to networking issues like network planning and design, cabling, workstation establishment, installation of software etc are performed by this department.
Networking Solutions for Small & Enterprise Businesses

Customer's specific application requirement drives our solution designs. Instead of offering a single manufacturer's solution to a problem, we draw from a wide variety of manufacturers' product offerings. This assures that we find the solution that uniquely meets the customer's connectivity requirements, technical environment, and budget limitations.
The COMSATS Network Solutions Team is a provider of information technology solutions consisting of Windows, Linux, Solaris and UNIX professionals. As a team, we’re focused on improving efficiency, productivity and profitability through effective integration of the of products of different platforms. This experience includes in-depth knowledge of Active Directory Design, Deployment, Microsoft NT and 2000 Server Products, Microsoft Terminal Server. In addition to experience in Microsoft products the COMSATS Network Solutions Provider offers Unix/Sun Administration, iPlanet
Web Administration and LAN and WAN Routing and Switching Configuration.
For our small business clients, we offer a complete in-house IT solution to those that otherwise would not have access to an IT staff. We also offer augmentation to the existing staff of medium to large sized firms through contract staffing and outsourcing. Our commitment to fully understanding our client’s business needs, Systems and people enable us to serve as a member of their team.
We believe in forming a real partnership with our clients. It is our goal to become a member of your team, resolving any problems you have, preventing problems yet to arise and assisting you with new and innovative ways to use the technology you have and expand your reach using the Internet.
We support Microsoft NT, Microsoft Windows 2000, Linux, Solaris and UNIX networks, Cisco LANs and WANs. We also support POS applications and systems.
Our experience covers a vast diversity of hardware and operating systems.

Firewall installation & configuration

Hardware selection (hubs, switches, routers, media & servers, etc.)

Network design

Network security

Win 98 installation & support

NT installation & support

Windows 2000 (professional, Advance server & 2k server) installation & support

Windows XP installation & support

Complete Internet & Intranet solution on windows platform

Red Hat Linux installation & support

Heterogeneous environment including windows & Linux installation & support

Free BSD installation & support

Solaris installation & support

UNIX installation & support

Network Planning

LAN Design and Configuration

System Integration

Advanced Network Solutions

Network Convergence

Network Security

Network Audit

Network Enhancement Strategy

Support Tool Selection

LAN/WAN Design:

Assess, plan, design, and implement the infrastructure and support services that enable you to run your business. COMSATS Network Solution Providers have specialized in the design and implementation of successful network infrastructure programs for over four years. Our LAN / WAN design team can assess, plan, design and implement the infrastructure and support services that enable you to run your business. These consulting services are based on a proven approach, utilizing the latest tools and techniques, which result in a "best practices" solution. When properly implemented, this solution can help reduce risk, accelerate implementation time, and lower overall project cost. Our consultants are certified by major vendors and offer practical solutions for connectivity and coexistence issues. They can examine an existing infrastructure, quickly identify "points of pain", and define tactical and strategic solutions for chronic infrastructure and support service problems.
Design Implementation From simple LAN switching through diverse-carrier Internet connectivity, to large-scale enterprise networks, COMSATS (ABBOTTABAD) can design or re-engineer a solution that provides the capacity, scalability, security, availability, manageability and serviceability you require. COMSATS (ABBOTTABAD) can then build the network - from the wiring infrastructure to the most complex protocol configurations - and integrate the network services roles - such as name/address resolution, dynamic configuration, directory services, routing, network and systems management, address translation, load distribution, content caching, etc. – to make the most of your environment
Analysis Assessment. Understanding your network and the data that flows across it can be an ordeal, but it is also invaluable in establishing and continuously providing your network’s performance levels. COMSATS (ABBOTTABAD) technology experts can sample and analyze your network activity, configuration and overall state to form an in-depth assessment of the well being of your network. COMSATS goes above and beyond just providing a baseline to measure the future against. We can help you identify the lurking “time bombs” or other unhealthy characteristics of your network, and recommend and implement steps for eliminating them before they impair performance.

 

List of Officers

1	Mr Saadat Iqbal	IT Manager
2	Mr. Muhamamd Nawaz	Deputy System Administrator
3	Mr.Usman Aftab	System Analyst
4	Mr. Naeem Sakhawat	Assistant System Analyst
5	Naveed Anwar Khan	Assistant System Analyst
6	Kamran Butt	Assistant System Analyst
7	Manzoor Ahmed Joya	Software Engineer
8	Mr. Asim Bilal	Asst.Programmer
9	Muhammad Ali Khan	Assistant Network Administrator
10	Muhammad Shaukat	Assistant Network Administrator
11	Syed Rizwan Shah	Software Engineer
12	Wajid Ali	Software Engineer
13	Iftikhar Ahmed	Software Engineer
14	Mr. Imatiaz	Asst. System Network
15	Mr. Nasir Aziz Awan	Network Administrator
16	Mr. Waqar Ali	Asst. System Network
17	Mr. Ibadat Hussain	Asst. System Network
18	Mr. Atif suleman	Asst. System Network
19	Mr. Waqar Haider	Asst. System Network
20	Mr. Haroon Rashid	Asst. System Network
21	Mr. Shafqat Khan	Network Support Assistant
22	Mr. Aurangzeb	Asst. System Network

COMSATS Student Information System (COMSIS):

COMSIS which stands for COMSATS Student Information System is one such effort to develop a comprehensive Student Information System. The software is developed solely at the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad using its existing resources. The Management of CIIT wanted a system in place which could help the faculty, students/parents and the management itself to keep track of the various academic activities at the institute. The work started on COMSIS around January 2002 and since then it has passed to different phases and now it has matured enough to reliably handle all the activities for which it is designed. The system has also gone through a rigorous testing phase. All this has only been possible with the commitment and zeal of a highly committed and talented team, who have worked tirelessly to make the idea conceived by our honorable director, Mr. Haroon Rashid, a reality.

The system is primarily meant to provide service at three ends. They are as follows:
1. To provide the Management of CIIT Abbottabad with online information about all the academic activities
2. To facilitate student and their parent to view the academic progress
3. To facilitate the Registration & Examination Section in maintaining the Electronic Examination Results of student with high accuracy.

The system helps the Director or head of the institute to monitor the class proceeding of the institute, students’ progress, overall/individual performance and if any abnormality arises, he is able to check it there and then and to make the appropriate decision. He can also view the report related to the progress of a class and academic programs. If the director finds any abnormality in a class, he can send an e-mail directly to the faculty member with complete confidentiality.

The faculty members can monitor the progress of each student registered in their course and students attendance. He can spot any abnormality in the class regarding class attendance and scores and can take corrective actions immediately. He can also view the scores of the students registered in his/her class for the previous semesters.

The parent/student end facilities the parents to monitor the progress of their wards. They can view the attendance and the scores.
The registration & examination cell can check the latest scores and publish the result notification with ease and accuracy.
Since, all the above segments that aid from COMSIS are part of the institute, so the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, actually benefit from this. It brings better co-ordination, better efficiency overall and less paper work.

COMSIS is a web based application and hence very easy to use for even a non-IT person.

Benefits of the System:

• Management can monitor the daily class proceeding of the whole institute without any hassle
• Students can view their percentage attendance, the credit/score they get. Students get benefited for the exam preparation, by viewing the topics covered in the class.
• The parents can also get complete picture of the academic progress of their ward

Trainings:

The department also conducted a number of training for the general community & students of CIIT. These are:
• One week training on IT awareness to Judges of Peshawar High Courts
• Training on IT awareness to City Nazimeen
• Training of Instructors of Educational Institutes. Intel Corporation sponsored the training.
• Refresher course on “C programming language” for the students of CIIT Abbottabad.
• One week training to Provincial Government officers at the Rural Development Academy Peshawar on IT awareness & e-Governance
• IT training to the officers of Pakistan Military Academy Abbottabad