Update - Further investigation into the effects of the updated Apple WebKit upon the impacted Microsoft 365 technology component and the results of additional hands-on testing both suggest that Apple users at Cardiff University are unlikely to encounter issues.
Nov 15, 2023 - 09:13 GMT
Identified - Microsoft have reported that a recent update to Apple operating systems has negatively affected the built in web browser engine (WebKit), and that this can mean users of affected Apple devices can encounter issues when attempting to access Microsoft 365 services.
The Apple operating systems known to be affected by this issue at this point are: MacOS 14.1.x iOS/iPadOS 17.1.x
Users of affected devices may encounter issues when attempting to access Microsoft 365 services via Safari web browser or various other applications which utilise the impacted engine behind the scenes.
Whilst it is generally advisable to keep up to date with manufacturer patches, including Apple operating systems updates, it would be beneficial to postpone upgrading to the affected versions if possible until this issue has been addressed by Apple.
Nov 14, 2023 - 09:49 GMT
Identified - The manufacturer of the technology used to provide the University Wikis service has informed us of an urgent and significant security vulnerability that has been discovered, and this has necessitated that we make an immediate response to protect the Wikis service from attack.
Therefore, the University Wikis service can now only be accessed through the University VPN.
Building Power Outage: IT services interruption on 13/09/2023
What is being done? Cardiff & Vale UHB Estates are carrying out work which will affect electrical power at the Heath Park campus.
How will this affect users? Electricity supply: Staff and Students on site may find that their building experiences interruptions to electrical power supply. Cardiff University Estates will liaise through the appropriate channels regarding who is affected and how. Users are reminded that it is advisable to power down any IT equipment in advance of any loss of power where possible.
Network: Some of University IT’s equipment will also be impacted by the electrical power interruptions, and this will cause a knock-on effect resulting in interruptions to the Cardiff University Network service – including wired, wireless and telephone services.
Data Centre services: Customers who have agreements in place to have their computer equipment located within Cardiff University IT network equipment rooms on the Heath Park campus should be aware that they might lose power or network connectivity. It is highly advisable for any such customers to arrange to pre-emptively shutdown down any such equipment in a controlled manner ahead of the work beginning, and similarly to arrange for it to be powered back on after the electrical work is completed.
Who will be affected and When is it being done?
Building Name Date and Time Comments Heath Park campus Wednesday 13th September
From 7am to 11am Buildings which do not lose power may still experience interruption to networking services. All users on the Heath Park campus should assume that networking services will be unavailable throughout the advertised period.
Why is it being done? This forms part of Cardiff & Vale University Health Board maintenance activities on their estate. Posted on
Sep 13, 2023 - 10:01 BST
Completed -
The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Dec 7, 00:00 GMT
In progress -
Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Dec 6, 08:01 GMT
Scheduled -
What is being done? ARCCA are undertaking planned maintenance on the Hawk supercomputer and supporting infrastructure.
When is this being done? This will next take place on Wednesday 6 December 2023. This maintenance day is scheduled regularly for the first Wednesday of every month. This is to ensure maximum awareness and allow our service users to plan ahead.
Who will be affected? All users of the ARCCA Hawk University supercomputing service and supporting infrastructure.
How will this affect service users? Hawk and supporting infrastructure will be at risk and so we advise users to save their work regularly on this day.
Why is this being done? Hawk maintenance occurs as required on the first Wednesday of each month. This can be either be as a “Maintenance Outage” period or an “At Risk” period. This is to allow us to perform security patches, system upgrades, equipment replacements and other essential work.
Christopher Dickson, Service Manager
Nov 22, 16:35 GMT
Resolved -
The issue regarding access to the SIMS Client has now been resolved.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Dec 5, 11:32 GMT
Investigating -
University IT are aware of an issue accessing the SIMS Client and technical staff are currently investigating. Note that SIMS Online appears unaffected.
An update will be provided as soon as more information is available.
Dec 5, 10:03 GMT
Resolved -
The intermittent issue affecting access to the SIMS Client has now been resolved.
Apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.
Nov 30, 10:48 GMT
Investigating -
University IT are aware of an intermittent issue when accessing the SIMS Client and technical staff are currently investigating. Note that SIMS Online appears unaffected.
An update will be provided as soon as more information is available.
Nov 30, 09:47 GMT
Resolved -
This incident has been resolved.
Nov 29, 08:12 GMT
Investigating -
An issue has arisen following a change this morning, which is preventing access to the public website aand intranet. We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible with our vendor. We apologise for any inconvenience this is causing.
Nov 28, 10:56 GMT
Completed -
The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Nov 29, 00:00 GMT
In progress -
Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Nov 17, 18:00 GMT
Scheduled -
Intranet and Public Website - Major Upgrade (Squiz) 17th - 28th November 2023
What is being done? Squiz are applying a major upgrade to Matrix, the content management system that provides our public website and staff/student intranet sites.
When is it being done? From Friday, 17th November to Tuesday, 28th November 2023.
Who will this affect? All users of the public website and/or the staff/student intranet sites.
How will this affect service users? The intranet and public website will be available throughout, but content editing will be frozen for the duration of the upgrade. The service may be temporarily degraded while the production database is cloned. This step of the upgrade should be completed by midday, Saturday, 18th November.
The switch to the upgraded system should take place during the morning of Tuesday, 28th November, but content editing is likely to remain frozen until the end of the day. There may be disruption during the switch over.
Why is it being done? This is required to maintain support from the service provider and provide enhancements to the service.
Resolved -
The issue affecting access to the SIMS Client has now been resolved.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Nov 28, 09:17 GMT
Investigating -
University IT are aware of an issue accessing the SIMS Client and technical staff are currently investigating. Note that SIMS Online appears unaffected.
An update will be provided as soon as more information is available.
Nov 28, 09:01 GMT