Work
IQOQI
https://iqoqi.at- Last Updated: Friday, 08 November 2024 13:34
At the IQOQI, I specialize in server maintenance and software development, handling a variety of responsibilities that advance the institute's technology. I oversee the restructuring of technology in meeting rooms and implement innovative solutions, such as collaboration tools like Mattermost, while prioritizing cost-effectiveness and open-source options. In my role, I constantly seek to learn new things, particularly in internet security, and I assess which technologies are worthwhile versus those that may be a waste of time. Additionally, I serve as the GDPR contact, ensuring that our practices comply with data protection regulations. My work also includes managing server installations, from procuring and setting up racks to developing backend systems and maintaining data sources, as well as frontend programming and styling using HTML and CSS.
Establishing the IVA
I successfully established the IVA as a central hub for managing data across administrative and research domains. It offers a range of tools to streamline daily processes and libraries for collecting data on scientific publications and events. Much of this data is integrated into our public website, for which I developed custom Joomla components and modules, using SOAP for seamless connectivity.
Technical Foundation
To support the IVA, I created APM (Advanced PHP Managed), a LAMP-driven framework tailored to our needs. While I recognize the benefits of modern technologies, I continue to use PHP for its maintenance ease, speed, and portability. The framework includes features for LDAP authorization, database access, caching, and error handling, as well as application-level objects for reports and AJAX requests.
Server Management
When I joined the institute, we used a complicated third-party-hosted website. I advocated for self-hosting and led the transition to a new technology stack, starting with a single LAMP server. Over time, I integrated LDAP authentication and established dedicated servers, including a backup solution to enhance performance.
I consistently use Debian Linux as the operating system, currently on version 12 (Bookworm). Challenges like power outages prompted a reevaluation of our server architecture, leading to the virtualization of our infrastructure. Now, we host multiple virtual server instances externally, ensuring stability and scalability for future needs.