Campus Network Refresh Initiative
In order to meet increasing demands for reliable and high-speed connectivity, DIT is beginning an ambitious initiative to replace and upgrade our campus network.
This initiative aims to modernize our network infrastructure, enhance security to protect us from cyber-threats, and achieve these exciting network service enhancements:
Unify network services across the campus so that wired and wireless connections deliver the same experience
Increase network performance by standardizing on Wi-Fi 6E, which enables faster, more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity and supports bandwidth-intensive activities
Expand outdoor wireless in key strategic locations such as McKeldin Mall and Hornbake Plaza
Deliver seamless “at home” experiences for students who live on campus
We will also:
Timeline
During the summer, fall, and winter Division of Information Technology staff and our installation partners will be doing preliminary work to prepare for a deployment of the improved network services beginning in 2024. This phase involves extensive engineering and testing in a small set of pilot buildings. During this phase, we will also install cables for the additional wireless access points around campus and upgrade fiber cabling between data closets to support the increased bandwidth for wired and wireless users. If changes during this phase will cause significant disruption in a pilot building, we will notify building occupants in advance.
In January 2024, we’ll pilot building-level hardware upgrades in representative academic, non-academic, and residential buildings. Then, building-level hardware upgrades will be scheduled for all UMD buildings. During this time, there will be interruptions to networks in buildings as we upgrade the infrastructure. The team will work to ensure disruptions are scheduled around peak building usage periods. Network upgrades in academic/administrative buildings will generally occur during evenings, nights, and weekends, while residence halls will be upgraded during the day break periods. Specific notifications will be sent about each outage to network users in each affected building.
After each building hardware upgrade is complete, it will undergo an implementation of policy-based networking, in coordination with departmental IT contacts.
Current Schedules
Phase 1 - Access Point Cabling
Technicians are installing new cables in UMD buildings in order to support additional wireless access points at a future phase in the project. This work is not expected to disrupt any IT services or normal building activities.
View the Current Phase 1 Schedule
Phase 2 - Hardware Upgrades
Technicians are performing hardware upgrades in UMD buildings. Hardware upgrades entail replacing all building switching and wireless access point equipment while maintaining the current network configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn the answers to some frequently asked questions from departmental IT contacts.
Contact
If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please reach out to the project team at CampusNetworkRefresh@umd.edu.