The Business and Administrative IT Leadership Council (BAITLC) commissioned a project in fall 2021 to develop a Next Generation Platforms (NGP) to serve the development community and replace the existing PyPE platform.
Overview
BAITLC commissioned a project to develop a Next Generation Platform (NGP) to serve the development community and replace the existing PyPE platform. A cross-organizational team with 20+ members from seven organizations was formed in September 2021 and work is currently underway.
Background
The NGP project will provide the equivalent functionality of PyPE in a modern, secure, reliable technology, with an initial focus on an on-premise Kubernetes-based platform (Rancher). Several PyPE applications have been successfully piloted with Rancher, and the focus of the development team is to deliver an enterprise system, along with tools, documentation and training to support a transition effort that will be needed to convert the ~400 PyPE and DEM applications to the new platform.
While the urgency of PyPE replacement necessitates an initial focus on a Kubernetes-based platform (Rancher), the BAITLC roadmap also calls for an AWS-based platform to be developed, resulting in two complementary platforms to serve the diverse needs of campus IT.
Goals
The initial release of the NGP is being developed with the following goals in mind:
- Deliver a production minimum viable product that demonstrates desired outcomes such as but not limited to the following:
- Separation of duties
- Proper monitoring and logging
- Security
- Reliability
- Developer productivity
- Transparency and understanding of costs of all types (platforms, resourcing, etc.)
- Understanding how the new platform(s) may help attract and retain resources better
- Demonstrate how federation (i.e., multi-tenancy) can work
- Demonstrate how IT shops of all sizes and types can be served.
Timeline
The BAITLC has set a goal to introduce the new Rancher-based NGP in Spring 2022. Early adopters will begin transitioning at that time.
Benefits
The PyPE platform will reach end-of-life in March 2024. Transitioning to the NGP will eliminate the investment needed to upgrade Django and OS on the PyPE platform destined for retirement.
Additionally, the NGP will provide PyPE customers, as well as the UT development community, a modern application development service with improved security.
NGP SERVICE MODEL
The NGP Service Model is still in development – more details will be added here as they become available.
The service is being designed to include the following elements:
- Infrastructure and Licensing
- NGP Team Staff and Structure
- Business Processes
- Operational Governance
- Maintenance and Sustainability
Governance
The Next Gen Platforms and PyPE Replacement Project is governed and guided by the following groups:
Business and Administrative IT Leadership Council (BAITLC): The Council provides strategic guidance and accountability of project objectives and priorities. See Council's membership here.
BAITLC Platforms Sub-Committee: This committee provides operational guidance and oversight to the project.
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Members |
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|---|---|---|
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Chief Information Security Officer |
Information Security Office |
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Associate Vice President |
Enterprise Business IT Solutions |
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Assistant Director of IT |
UT Libraries |
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Senior Information Technology Manager |
Information Technology Services |
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Executive Director |
Academic Information Systems |
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Director of Enterprise Technical Solutions |
Enterprise Business IT Solutions |
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Deputy Information Security Officer |
Information Security Office |
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Assistant Vice President |
Information Technology Services |
NGP Technical Working Group (TWG): The NGP TWG consists of 20+ representatives from 7+ different colleges, schools, and units. The TWG serves the project by developing and implementing platform solutions that meet NGP project outcomes, makes recommendations on the NGP enterprise service model, and assisting in customer transition planning.
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Members |
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|---|---|---|
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Senior Technology Architect |
Enterprise Business IT Solutions |
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Senior Software Engineer |
Enterprise Business IT Solutions |
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Senior Technology Architect |
Enterprise Business IT Solutions |
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Principal Software Engineer |
Technology Resources |
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Software Developer/Analyst |
Technology Resources |
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Software Developer/Analyst |
Technology Resources |
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Senior Systems Administrator |
Technology Resources |
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Systems Administrator I |
Technology Resources |
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Assistant Director of IT |
UT Libraries |
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Senior Systems Administrator |
UT Libraries |
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Senior Technical Architect |
Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services |
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Senior Software Developer/Analyst |
Texas Extended Campus |
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Deputy Information Security Officer |
Information Security Office |
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Cybersecurity Risk Analyst |
Information Security Office |
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Lead Software Engineer |
Information Technology Services |
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Senior Software Engineer |
Information Technology Services |
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Senior Information Technology Manager |
Information Technology Services |
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Enterprise Cloud Architect |
Information Technology Services |
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Senior Database Administrator |
Information Technology Services |
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Software Engineer |
Information Technology Services |
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Senior Systems Administrator |
Information Technology Services |
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TBD |
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Project Management
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Members |
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|---|---|---|
| Jeanne Cseri-Martin | Project Management | Financial and Administrative Services |
| Emily Hurt | Project Management | Information Security Office |
| Brittney Lewis | PM Support | Enterprise Business IT Solutions |
FAQ
What is the Next Gen Platforms and PyPE Replacement Project?
The NGP project will provide the equivalent functionality of PyPE in a modern, secure, reliable technology, with an initial focus on an on-prem Kubernetes-based platform (Rancher). Several PyPE applications have been successfully piloted in Rancher-based platforms, and the focus of the development team is to deliver an enterprise system, along with tools, documentation and training to support a transition effort that will be needed to convert the ~400 PyPE and DEM applications to the new platform. While the urgency of PyPE replacement necessitates an initial focus on a Kubernetes-based platform (Rancher), the BAITLC roadmap also calls for an AWS-based platform to be developed, resulting in two complementary platforms to serve the diverse needs of campus IT.
Who has been involved in the planning of this project?
The BAITLC, Platforms Committee, and the NGP Technical Working Group are all engaged in the planning and development of this project. The BAITLC provides strategic guidance and accountability of project objectives and priorities, while the Platforms Committee provides operational guidance and oversight to the project. The NGP TWG consists of 20+ representatives from 7+ different colleges, schools, and units. The TWG serves the project by developing and implementing platform solutions that meet NGP project outcomes, makes recommendations on the NGP enterprise service model, and assisting in customer transition planning. For more details about the members of each group, visit the Governance page.
What is the Technical Working Group (TWG) associated with this project?
The NGP TWG consists of 20+ representatives from 7+ different colleges, schools, and units. The TWG serves the project by developing and implementing platform solutions that meet NGP project outcomes, makes recommendations on the NGP enterprise service model, and assisting in customer transition planning.
What does this mean for my college, school, or unit?
Customer transitions will take place in a phased approach beginning in Spring 2022. Currently, ITS is surveying key departmental contacts about their current PyPE applications and the resources, support, and training they may need to transition. The survey questions were developed in collaboration with the BAITLC Platforms Committee and the NGP TWG, and will serve to augment the NGP working group’s development efforts as well as to help schedule transitions from PyPE to the new platform. More information will be provided in the Transition Resources page of the project website as it becomes available.
How can I contact the Endpoint Management Centralization and Standardization Project if I have questions?
You can send an email to Jeanne Cseri-Martin (jeanne.cserimartin@austin.utexas.edu) and Emily Hurt (hurt@utexas.edu).
How can I receive information about the Endpoint Management Centralization and Standardization Project?
To receive information on the NGP Project, you can subscribe to updates on any of the following mailing lists:
TRANSITION RESOURCES
Currently, ITS is surveying key departmental contacts about their current PyPE applications and the resources, support, and training they may need to transition. The survey questions were developed in collaboration with the BAITLC Platforms Committee and the NGP TWG, and will serve to augment the NGP working group’s development efforts as well as to help schedule transitions from PyPE to the new platform.
More details will be added here as they are available.