Aside from passing on this announcement's info, I'm forwarding this because I like the approach Jack has taken with this. He's set up a mailing list for people who would be affected by maintenance windows, and presented the information as to what's going to happen during the maintenance event in a clear and concise manner. We should emulate this. Begin forwarded message:

From: Argonne Service Desk <[email protected]> Subject: ANNOUNCEMENT: 221 Datacenter UPS Upgrade 1/11-1/12,2014 Date: December 19, 2013 at 2:31:53 PM CST To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>

WHAT ARE WE DOING? We are moving our datacenter backup power to a new UPS system.

The work will involve shutting down the motor controller in the generator room to disconnect the generator from the existing UPS infrastructure and connect it to the new APC unit. During this time the UPS and generator will be offline. The computer room racks will be running on utility power, and we do not anticipate any disruptions. Appropriate notifications will be sent to you identifying the start of maintenance and the completion of maintenance.

In an unforeseen emergency in which the datacenter loses power CIS will not attempt to restore service until the planned maintenance is complete. Appropriate notifications will be sent in case of such an outage.

WHEN WILL THIS OCCUR? January 11, 2014, ~6:30 a.m. thru January 12, 2013, ~3:00 p.m.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO? Maintenance Stakeholders: The week of the scheduled maintenance we will be verifying alternate contact information in case we need to notify you of an unforeseen outage.

WHAT IS THE EFFECT ON YOU? Unless there is an unforeseen issue with power, you should not be affected.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Report issues to the CIS Service Desk at ext. 2-9999 option 2.

Jack _________________________ Argonne National Laboratory Jack Schmidt IT Process Manager/Service Manager CIS Service Management 630-252-1533

_______________________________________________ Maintenance-Stakeholders mailing list [email protected] https://lists.anl.gov/mailman/listinfo/maintenance-stakeholders

-- Craig