THE ING NEWSLETTER No. 2, March 2000
GENERAL SCIENCE TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTATION OTHER NEWS FROM ING TELESCOPE TIME
Previous: The New WHT Mosaic Camera Up: Table of Contents Next: [INGNEWS] Mailing List
Y2K at the ING
Gordon Talbot (Head of Engineering, ING)
The year 2000 (if not the true millennium) is now with us, and like the rest of the world, the ING has not been brought to its knees by the 'Millennium Bug'. However, this cannot just be ascribed to good fortune — or that the Y2K problem was mere hype — it was because of the efforts of many of ING's staff.
During 1998 and 1999 the ING followed a planned programme of investigation, assessment, correction and testing of systems to ensure readiness for the year 2000.
All systems at ING were assessed including not only the telescopes but also the infrastructure and administration. Once the priorities of safety of people then protection of equipment were satisfied the major effort was in ensuring that our three telescopes would operate and return scientific data in the year 2000, bearing in mind that they are scheduled for operation 365 nights of the year.
To operate, the telescopes rely on a computer network of over 200 devices with thousands of lines of bespoke code using many operating systems and languages. Key systems are real-time telescope/instrument controls and astronomical data acquisition. Additionally astronomical data processing and archiving are essential to maintain operations. There is continuous development and replacement of systems, which vary in age from those being installed now to some over ten years old. ING are self reliant in engineering and have a six strong Computer Facilities Group and eight strong Control Software Group who are familiar with our systems and used to providing all maintenance and upgrades.
Prior to 2000 all three telescopes were successfully tested for compliance and showed that they were able to operate, point and track with dates in the new century. Much preparatory work was needed in updating operating systems, applying our own and manufacturers' patches and replacing non-compliant systems. A great deal of time was also spent isolating systems for testing.
A plan was drawn up and followed for operating over the year-end and arrangements made to have the necessary staff available. Uniquely at ING a complete night's closure for observing was scheduled for 31 December, followed by observing on all three telescopes in service mode on the nights of 1 and 2 January.
This was mainly on the grounds of safety, in case of failure to external services — principally communications — but also to minimise travelling problems for observers. However during the day of 1 January a full engineering team was on the mountain top re-testing system operation, beginning with safety related systems. Apart from our weather web-site, which was back on line the same day, no Y2K faults were found.
Since then no other date related problems have emerged. However, some systems, particularly instruments that have not yet been used, will be checked prior to scheduled use, although most have already passed Y2K tests last year. We will continue to be vigilant throughout the year as problems could still emerge.
I would like to thank all ING staff who have contributed to our smooth rollover into 2000 AD, especially those working on the network and telescope software on tight schedules for the overnight telescope tests. Overall, so many of ING's staff were involved that I can't name them here for lack of space. Additionally support and advice was received from within PPARC.
Finally a last thought, perhaps now we should send a time capsule forward to 9999 AD warning of the imminent 'Y10K problem'.
Email contact: Gordon Talbot (rgt@ing.iac.es)
Previous: The New WHT Mosaic Camera Up: Table of Contents Next: [INGNEWS] Mailing List
GENERAL SCIENCE TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTATION OTHER NEWS FROM ING TELESCOPE TIME © Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes