Information Technology Advisory
Update - Currently, some legacy phone systems remain active on the Nanaimo campus. We cannot make any changes to what is left, nor can we estimate how long it will remain functional. We have noted that additional phone lines have become inactive over the last two weeks, as these systems continue to degrade.

Our vendor is out of their change freeze, and we are moving forward with moving our next batch of key phone numbers. Our legacy 4-digit local dialing is not compatible with Teams Calling. When leaving a message for someone to call you back, be sure they have your full name and contact info.

Note: The IT Service Desk can be reached at 250-740-6300, or our toll-free number 1-833-902-6301 for your urgent needs.
When on the Nanaimo campus if you have a medical, police or fire emergency, please call 911 from a cellular or smartphone. If you need First Aid, please visit B315 (Security Office) or B190 (Gymnasium).
Campus Security can be reached at 250-740-6512 or 250-753-3812.

Updates: The next update will be sent out by 5pm, Friday, January 24, 2025.

Jan 17, 2025 - 17:27 PST
Update - Currently, some legacy phone systems remain active on the Nanaimo campus. We cannot make any changes to what is left, nor can we estimate how long it will remain functional. We have noted that additional phone lines have become inactive over the last two weeks, as these systems continue to degrade.

To date, we have moved 27 critical external facing numbers into Microsoft Teams Calling. Our goal is to have these lines be able to send and receive calls and have a basic voicemail service. Most of these lines can now receive calls, and some have voicemail set up. Our vendor is currently in a change blackout, and we must wait before moving any additional numbers to Teams

Note: The IT Service Desk can be reached at 250-740-6300, or our toll-free number 1-833-902-6301 for your urgent needs.
When on the Nanaimo campus if you have a medical, police or fire emergency, please call 911 from a cellular or smartphone. If you need First Aid, please visit B315 (Security Office) or B190 (Gymnasium).
Campus Security can be reached at 250-740-6512 or 250-753-3812.

Updates: The next update will be sent out by 5pm, Friday, January 17, 2025.

Jan 10, 2025 - 16:39 PST
Update - Currently, some legacy phone systems remain active on the Nanaimo campus. We cannot make any changes to what is left, nor can we estimate how long it will remain functional.

To date, we have moved 27 critical external facing numbers into Microsoft Teams Calling. Our goal is to have these lines be able to send and receive calls and have a basic voicemail service. Most of these lines can now receive calls, and some have voicemail set up.

Note: The IT Service Desk can be reached at 250-740-6300, or our toll-free number 1-833-902-6301 for your urgent needs.
When on the Nanaimo campus if you have a medical, police or fire emergency, please call 911 from a cellular or smartphone. If you need First Aid, please visit B315 (Security Office) or B190 (Gymnasium).
Campus Security can be reached at 250-740-6512 or 250-753-3812.

Updates: The next update will be sent out by 5pm, Friday, January 10, 2025.

Jan 03, 2025 - 16:26 PST
Update - Currently, some legacy phone systems remain active on the Nanaimo campus. We cannot make any changes to what is left, nor can we estimate how long it will remain functional.

To date, we have moved 27 critical external facing numbers into Microsoft Teams Calling. Our goal is to have these lines be able to send and receive calls and have a basic voicemail service. Most of these lines can now receive calls, and some have voicemail set up.

Note: The IT Service Desk can be reached at 250-740-6300, or our toll-free number 1-833-902-6301 for your urgent needs.
When on the Nanaimo campus if you have a medical, police or fire emergency, please call 911 from a cellular or smartphone. If you need First Aid, please visit B315 (Security Office) or B190 (Gymnasium).
Campus Security can be reached at 250-740-6512 or 250-753-3812.

Updates: The next update will be sent out by 5pm, Friday, January 1, 2025.

Dec 13, 2024 - 16:59 PST
Update - Currently, some legacy phone systems remain active on the Nanaimo campus. We cannot make any changes to what is left, nor can we estimate how long it will remain functional.

To date, we have moved 27 critical external facing numbers into Microsoft Teams Calling. Our goal is to have these lines be able to send and receive calls and have a basic voicemail service. Once we get a line to this state, we pivot to the next line in the list. With our efforts focused on getting as many lines moved before the old system fails entirely.

Note: The IT Service Desk can be reached at 250-740-6300, or our toll-free number 1-833-902-6301 for your urgent needs.
When on the Nanaimo campus if you have a medical, police or fire emergency, please call 911 from a cellular or smartphone. If you need First Aid, please visit B315 (Security Office) or B190 (Gymnasium).
Campus Security can be reached at 250-740-6512 or 250-753-3812.

Updates: The next update will be sent out by 4:30pm, Friday, December 13.

Dec 06, 2024 - 18:08 PST
Update - Currently the Nanaimo campus has some operational phonelines. We cannot control which lines are active. Nor can we provide any surety as to how long they will remain active. Phone service continues to work for all other sites and campus sites.

We are working with vendors to accelerate implementing a replacement telecom solution. However this will take time to set up and implement. Our initial priority will be migrating core, Nanaimo based, public facing business numbers once everything is in place to do so.

Note: The IT Service Desk local numbers 6300 and 250-740-6300 are still offline. Please continue to use our toll-free number to reach out to us with your urgent needs: 1 833-902-6301.

When on the Nanaimo campus if you have a medical, police or fire emergency, please call 911 from a cellular or smartphone. If you need First Aid, please visit B315 (Security Office) or B190 (Gymnasium). Campus Security can be reached at 250-740-6512 or 250-753-3812.

Estimated Resolution Time: Unknown.
Next update: will be by 4:30pm, Friday, December 6.

Nov 27, 2024 - 16:47 PST
Update - Currently the Nanaimo campus has some operational phonelines. We cannot control which lines are active. Nor can we provide any surety as to how long they will remain active. Phone service continues to work for all other sites and campus sites.

We are working with vendors to accelerate implementing a replacement telecom solution. However this will take time to set up and implement. Our initial priority will be migrating core, Nanaimo based, public facing business numbers once everything is in place to do so.

Note: The IT Service Desk local numbers 6300 and 250-740-6300 are still offline. Please continue to use our toll-free number to reach out to us with your urgent needs: 1 833-902-6301.

When on the Nanaimo campus if you have a medical, police or fire emergency, please call 911 from a cellular or smartphone. If you need First Aid, please visit B315 (Security Office) or B190 (Gymnasium). Campus Security can be reached at 250-740-6512 or 250-753-3812.

Estimated Resolution Time: Unknown.
Next update: will be by 4:30pm , Wednesday, November 27.

Nov 22, 2024 - 14:56 PST
Update - Our technicians have discovered a key component in the Nortel System has failed. Working with vendors, our team is investigating possible solutions and alternative options.

On the Nanaimo Campus, if you have a medical, police or fire emergency, please call 911 from a cellular or smartphone. If you need First Aid, please visit B315 (Security Office) or B190 (Gymnasium).

Estimated Resolution Time: Unknown.
Next update: will be by 2:30pm tomorrow, Friday, November 22

Nov 21, 2024 - 13:39 PST
Update - Our technicians have discovered a key component in the Nortel System has failed. We are investigating possible solutions and alternative options.

Estimated Resolution Time: Unknown.
Next update: will be by 1:30pm tomorrow, Thursday, November 21.

Nov 20, 2024 - 16:19 PST
Identified - Our technicians have discovered a key component in the Nortel System has failed. We are investigating possible solutions and alternative options.

Estimated Resolution Time: Unknown.
Next update: will be by 4:30pm today.

Nov 20, 2024 - 13:39 PST
Investigating - The storm last night has resulted in power loss to some of our key telecom systems. This has resulted in both our Mitel and Nortel phone systems to go offline.

External calls currently cannot be made to, or from the Nanaimo Campus. However, 4 digit dialing between Mitel phones does work. Nortel phones currently have no service at all.

Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ, Deep Bay, Milner Gardens and the G.R. Paine Horticultural Training Center have working phones.

Our technicians are investigating. Please use the IT Service Desk toll free number found on technology.viu.ca page. Our 250 number is also offline.

Estimated Resolution Time: Unknown.
Next update: will be by 1:30pm today.

Nov 20, 2024 - 08:44 PST

About This Site

Our technology advisory page provides up-to-date information about the operations of Vancouver Island University's Information Technology systems and services. Scroll down for scheduled maintenance and incident history.

Please follow us on twitter @VIU_IT to receive updates regarding service outages and scheduled maintenance.

Computer Accounts and Files ? Operational
Email ? Operational
Network: Internet, Wireless, and Wired ? Operational
Printing ? Operational
Telephone System ? Partial Outage
Websites and Learning Tools ? Operational
VIULearn (D2L) ? Operational
Library Services ? Operational
University Website (viu.ca) ? Operational
Student Self-service: My Student Record ? Operational
Administrative Systems ? Operational
Student Records (SRS) Operational
Financial Records System (FRS) Operational
Employee Portal (FRIS, HRIS, Payroll, Etc) Operational
Admin Systems Portal (VIUWeb) Operational
Operational
Degraded Performance
Partial Outage
Major Outage
Maintenance
Scheduled Maintenance
What is impacted: IT Client and Ticket Portals; Every Friday our vendor performs maintenance on the servers hosting the IT Ticket System (https://ithelp.viu.ca) and the IT Client Portal (https://technology.viu.ca).
Level of impact: Service Interruption. Employees will be unable to access the above sites/services during the maintenance window.
Timing: 9pm to 12:00 am, every Friday.
Preparation: None required. If you need to submit an IT Request during the maintenance window please e-mail ithelp@viu.ca. Once the maintenance is complete, an IT request will automatically be created based on your e-mail and you will be e-mailed a ticket number.

Posted on Dec 18, 2024 - 14:56 PST
What is impacted: VIU Websites. Our Web team performs updates to our Drupal Web Content Management System.
Level of impact: No Interruption. While no outage is expected, saving content during this timeframe within the Drupal platform may be slower.
Timing: 10am to 3pm, every Tuesday.
Preparation: None

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 12:51 PST
What is impacted: IT Client and Ticket Portals; Every Friday our vendor performs maintenance on the servers hosting the IT Ticket System (https://ithelp.viu.ca) and the IT Client Portal (https://technology.viu.ca).
Level of impact: Service Interruption. Employees will be unable to access the above sites/services during the maintenance window.
Timing: 9pm to 12:00 am, every Friday.
Preparation: None required. If you need to submit an IT Request during the maintenance window please e-mail ithelp@viu.ca. Once the maintenance is complete, an IT request will automatically be created based on your e-mail and you will be e-mailed a ticket number.

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 12:54 PST
What is impacted: VIU Websites. Our Web team performs updates to our Drupal Web Content Management System.
Level of impact: No Interruption. While no outage is expected, saving content during this timeframe within the Drupal platform may be slower.
Timing: 10am to 3pm, every Tuesday.
Preparation: None

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 12:59 PST
What is impacted: All VIU technology including email, files, VIULearn, printing, internet, etc. A complete list of services is included below.
Level of impact: Service Interruption. All services listed will be unavailable for up to 15 minutes during the maintenance window.
Timing: Wednesday, 6am to 8am
Description: All servers are receiving monthly updates and must be restarted.
Preparation: Please close these systems and all applications connected to these systems before 6:00am. Do not use these systems during the maintenance period.

Services that may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes between 6am to 8am:
- Internet access on campus
Internet access on campus
- VIULearn online courses (D2L)
- Student and Employee Printing
- Employee and Student U Drives, My Documents and Desktop Files
- Department Share Drives
- Website logins (including VIULearn, VIUTube, VIUBlogs, VIUSpace, InVIU, Unit4/UBW, and isapp.viu.ca sites)
- VIU databases (including Checkbox Survey, Research Office app, StarRez, Tableau)

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 13:03 PST
What is impacted: All VIU technology including email, files, VIULearn, printing, internet, etc. A complete list of services is included below.
Level of impact: Service Interruption. All services listed will be unavailable for up to 15 minutes during the maintenance window.
Timing: Wednesday 5pm to 7pm
Description: All servers are receiving monthly updates and must be restarted.
Preparation: Please close these systems and all applications connected to these systems before 5:00pm. Do not use these systems during the maintenance period.

Services that may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes between 5pm to 7pm:
- VIU email (including Outlook, webmail and public folders)
- VIU websites (including isapp.viu.ca sites, InVIU, viuresidences.ca, stuweb.viu.ca)

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 13:03 PST
What is impacted: IT Client and Ticket Portals; Every Friday our vendor performs maintenance on the servers hosting the IT Ticket System (https://ithelp.viu.ca) and the IT Client Portal (https://technology.viu.ca).
Level of impact: Service Interruption. Employees will be unable to access the above sites/services during the maintenance window.
Timing: 9pm to 12:00 am, every Friday.
Preparation: None required. If you need to submit an IT Request during the maintenance window please e-mail ithelp@viu.ca. Once the maintenance is complete, an IT request will automatically be created based on your e-mail and you will be e-mailed a ticket number.

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 12:54 PST
What is impacted: VIU Websites. Our Web team performs updates to our Drupal Web Content Management System.
Level of impact: No Interruption. While no outage is expected, saving content during this timeframe within the Drupal platform may be slower.
Timing: 10am to 3pm, every Tuesday.
Preparation: None

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 12:58 PST
What is impacted: IT Client and Ticket Portals; Every Friday our vendor performs maintenance on the servers hosting the IT Ticket System (https://ithelp.viu.ca) and the IT Client Portal (https://technology.viu.ca).
Level of impact: Service Interruption. Employees will be unable to access the above sites/services during the maintenance window.
Timing: 9pm to 12:00 am, every Friday.
Preparation: None required. If you need to submit an IT Request during the maintenance window please e-mail ithelp@viu.ca. Once the maintenance is complete, an IT request will automatically be created based on your e-mail and you will be e-mailed a ticket number.

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 12:56 PST
What is impacted: VIU Websites. Our Web team performs updates to our Drupal Web Content Management System.
Level of impact: No Interruption. While no outage is expected, saving content during this timeframe within the Drupal platform may be slower.
Timing: 10am to 3pm, every Tuesday.
Preparation: None

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 12:57 PST
What is impacted: wordpress.viu.ca; Our team will be installing updates to the system that hosts wordpress.viu.ca.
Level of impact: Service Interruption. During the maintenance window the above website will be unavailable for 15 minutes.
Timing: 6am to 8am, Wednesday, February 26.
Preparation: Please save any changes and log out your VIU WordPress blog prior to the maintenance window.

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 13:04 PST
What is impacted: VIU Hosted Network Storage; Our team will be installing updates to the server that manages the various VIU hosted network storage. This includes Departmental Shares, as well as VIU computer account U-Drives, Desktop, and Documents Folders.
Level of impact: Service Interruption. During the maintenance window, the update process will cause several disconnections to occur. These disconnections will occur 4 times, lasting anywhere from 10 seconds to 5 minutes before reconnecting. When these disconnections happen, access to and the saving of files to the above locations will be interrupted.
Timing: 5pm to 7pm, Wednesday, February 26.
Preparation: Please save your work and sign out of your computer when you leave for the day. Do you need to access and work on files from the network shares listed above during the maintenance window? Please copy the files you need to your device or OneDrive. Continue to work on the copy until the maintenance window is complete. Please remember to copy your files back to the network share afterwards

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 13:05 PST
What is impacted: IT Client and Ticket Portals; Every Friday our vendor performs maintenance on the servers hosting the IT Ticket System (https://ithelp.viu.ca) and the IT Client Portal (https://technology.viu.ca).
Level of impact: Service Interruption. Employees will be unable to access the above sites/services during the maintenance window.
Timing: 9pm to 12:00 am, every Friday.
Preparation: None required. If you need to submit an IT Request during the maintenance window please e-mail ithelp@viu.ca. Once the maintenance is complete, an IT request will automatically be created based on your e-mail and you will be e-mailed a ticket number.

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 - 12:57 PST
Past Incidents
Jan 30, 2025
Completed - The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Jan 30, 17:30 PST
In progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Jan 30, 17:00 PST
Scheduled - What is impacted: Computer Account Maintenance Tool; Technicians are making two changes to the isapp.viu.ca Computer Account Maintenance tool. We will be upgrading the login method to VU Single Sign-on (SSO). The Account Creation produced by the tool are will also be updated with new formatting.
No Service Interruption. There is a small chance that after signing in with single sign-on you may find yourself on the isapp.viu.ca main page. If this happens, simply click on the “Account Maintenance” button and it will take you back to the Computer Account Maintenance tool.
Timing: 5pm to 5:30pm, Thursday, January 30.
Preparation: None Required

Jan 29, 14:43 PST
Jan 29, 2025
Completed - The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Jan 29, 19:00 PST
In progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Jan 29, 17:00 PST
Scheduled - What is impacted: VIU Hosted Network Storage; Our team will be installing updates to the server that manages the various VIU hosted network storage. This includes Departmental Shares, as well as VIU computer account U-Drives, Desktop, and Documents Folders.
Level of impact: Service Interruption. During the maintenance window, the update process will cause several disconnections to occur. These disconnections will occur 4 times, lasting anywhere from 10 seconds to 5 minutes before reconnecting. When these disconnections happen, access to and the saving of files to the above locations will be interrupted.
Timing: 5pm to 7pm, Wednesday, January 29.
Preparation: Please save your work and sign out of your computer when you leave for the day. Do you need to access and work on files from the network shares listed above during the maintenance window? Please copy the files you need to your device or OneDrive. Continue to work on the copy until the maintenance window is complete. Please remember to copy your files back to the network share afterwards

Jan 15, 13:01 PST
Completed - The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Jan 29, 08:00 PST
In progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Jan 29, 06:00 PST
Scheduled - What is impacted: wordpress.viu.ca; Our team will be installing updates to the system that hosts wordpress.viu.ca.
Level of impact: Service Interruption. During the maintenance window the above website will be unavailable for 15 minutes.
Timing: 6am to 8am, Wednesday, January 15.
Preparation: Please save any changes and log out your VIU WordPress blog prior to the maintenance window.

Jan 15, 13:00 PST
Jan 28, 2025
Completed - The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Jan 28, 15:00 PST
In progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Jan 28, 10:00 PST
Scheduled - What is impacted: VIU Websites. Our Web team performs updates to our Drupal Web Content Management System.
Level of impact: No Interruption. While no outage is expected, saving content during this timeframe within the Drupal platform may be slower.
Timing: 10am to 3pm, every Tuesday.
Preparation: None

Jan 15, 12:51 PST
Jan 27, 2025

No incidents reported.

Jan 26, 2025

No incidents reported.

Jan 25, 2025
Completed - The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Jan 25, 19:47 PST
In progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Jan 25, 12:47 PST
Scheduled - What is impacted: VIU Employee Portal and related tools; Our vendor is installing updates and performing maintenance on the systems that host our VIU Employee portal. This impacts tools accessed by the portal including HRIS, FIS and Procurement tools, among others.
Level of impact: Service Interruption. During the maintenance period the Employee Portal and related tools will be unavailable.
Timing: Beginning 9pm, Saturday, January 25. Ending 4am, Sunday, January 26.
Preparation: If needed, please plan to use the Employee Portal outside of the Maintenance Period.

Jan 15, 12:49 PST
Completed - The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Jan 25, 00:00 PST
In progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Jan 24, 21:00 PST
Scheduled - What is impacted: IT Client and Ticket Portals; Every Friday our vendor performs maintenance on the servers hosting the IT Ticket System (https://ithelp.viu.ca) and the IT Client Portal (https://technology.viu.ca).
Level of impact: Service Interruption. Employees will be unable to access the above sites/services during the maintenance window.
Timing: 9pm to 12:00 am, every Friday.
Preparation: None required. If you need to submit an IT Request during the maintenance window please e-mail ithelp@viu.ca. Once the maintenance is complete, an IT request will automatically be created based on your e-mail and you will be e-mailed a ticket number.

Dec 18, 14:56 PST
Jan 24, 2025
Jan 23, 2025
Completed - The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Jan 23, 12:00 PST
In progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Jan 23, 10:00 PST
Scheduled - What is impacted: Alertus Server Software; Our team will be updating the Alertus server software. This server connects to the Alertus software installed on VIU computers. This software is used by VIU to display emergency notifications on these devices.
Level of impact: No Interruption. During the maintenance window the yellow Alertus icon in the taskbar on all VIU computers will turn RED. Once the upgrade has completed the icon will turn YELLOW again, indicating the update is complete.
Timing: 10am to 12pm, Thursday, January 23.
Preparation: None required.

Jan 21, 16:21 PST
Jan 22, 2025

No incidents reported.

Jan 21, 2025
Completed - The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Jan 21, 15:00 PST
In progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Jan 21, 10:00 PST
Scheduled - What is impacted: VIU Websites. Our Web team performs updates to our Drupal Web Content Management System.
Level of impact: No Interruption. While no outage is expected, saving content during this timeframe within the Drupal platform may be slower.
Timing: 10am to 3pm, every Tuesday.
Preparation: None

Jan 15, 12:50 PST
Jan 20, 2025
Resolved - This is now resolved.
Jan 20, 16:37 PST
Monitoring - A solution has been deployed and this challenge has been resolved.

We will continue to closely monitor the fix, to ensure everything's rock solid.

Next update will be by 4:30 today.

Jan 20, 15:32 PST
Investigating - A challenge with our Managed Print system is causing printers to not print documents that have been released for printing.

The print job will appear in the queue on the Printer Server, and appear ready to print when signed into the printer. Once you select print, the print job disappears but the printer fails to print it out.

Please be sure to save copies of any documents you might need to print. If you can postpone your printing, please do so. There is no guarantee your print job will successfully print at the moment.

Estimated Resolution Time: Unknown.
Next update will be by 4:30pm today.

Jan 20, 15:22 PST
Jan 19, 2025

No incidents reported.

Jan 18, 2025
Completed - The scheduled maintenance has been completed.
Jan 18, 00:00 PST
In progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.
Jan 17, 21:08 PST
Scheduled - What is impacted: IT Client and Ticket Portals; Every Friday our vendor performs maintenance on the servers hosting the IT Ticket System (https://ithelp.viu.ca) and the IT Client Portal (https://technology.viu.ca).
Level of impact: Service Interruption. Employees will be unable to access the above sites/services during the maintenance window.
Timing: 9pm to 12:00 am, every Friday.
Preparation: None required. If you need to submit an IT Request during the maintenance window please e-mail ithelp@viu.ca. Once the maintenance is complete, an IT request will automatically be created based on your e-mail and you will be e-mailed a ticket number.

Dec 18, 14:55 PST
Jan 17, 2025

Unresolved incident: Mitel and Nortel Phone systems on the Nanaimo Campus - Power loss to main telecom systems.

Jan 16, 2025

No incidents reported.