Our managed workstations (especially the ones running Linux) feature a very wide range of software packages. Most of these programs are supplied directly by the distribution (Debian, Ubuntu), but some others (most of them proprietarily licensed) have to be manually maintained by us. Sometimes, upgrading one of these software packages to a new major release might cause problems for expert users of that program - for instance if they rely on a function specific to one version. In order to prepare those pro users for upcoming major upgrades, we have created a new mailing list on which we'll announce these updates.

So if you're heavily using programs like Maple, Matlab, Mathematica, IDL, the Intel C and Fortran compilers or DS9, please go to

https://lists.phys.ethz.ch/listinfo/software-updates

and subscribe to this mailing list.

Tomorrow Tue Nov 3, starting from 0730 we will upgrade our eGroupware service to version EPL 9.1. Expected downtime: about one hour.

Tomorrow Tue September 8, starting from 0730, we will upgrade our Roundcube installation. Expected downtime: about 15 min.

Update Tue 0734: upgrade done.

On Thursday, the 27th of August 2009 around 16:00 we will start upgrading the operating system and the webserver software of our main webserver zwoelfi. This may lead to a downtime of many websites at D-PHYS including www.phys.ethz.ch and isg.phys.ethz.ch. Update 21:20: All services should be back to normal again.
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On Wednesday, April 8, starting around 0730 we will upgrade the RAM in plimpy, our LTSP terminal server. This will cause a downtime of about 5 min and the loss of all open sessions. Please make sure to have all your data saved by Tue evening if you're working on a thin client.

Update Wed 0800: plimpy now has 16 gigs.

Tomorrow Tue March 17, starting from 0730, we will upgrade our Roundcube installation. Expected downtime: about 15 min.

Update Tue 0745: upgrade completed. Have fun.