HAYS, Kan. -- Database classes at Fort Hays State University can breathe easier thanks to the Rural Telephone's Board of Directors, which voted to fund an $8,181 gift request to replace the primary server used in the Department of Informatics to support both on-campus and Virtual College students. The money will also cover costs for the appropriate software needed to operate the new server.

"The server plays a key role in offering high-quality, cutting-edge education for our FHSU students," said Dr. Mark Bannister, dean of the College of Business and Leadership.

The server is the Oracle server for database classes and assists in Web development. It provides media services for archived media studies including live video and audio streaming and serves the newsroom automation software. It also serves the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum, which certifies students as a Cisco-certified networking associates or professionals. The server also provides file and print services for the Department of Informatics.

The new server will be virtualized into five separate servers, which should have growth for one or two more virtual servers when needed.

For more information, contact Bannister at (785) 628-5339 or e-mail markbannister@fhsu.edu.