Today, a strong and reliable network is more necessary than ever, as we collaborate from on and off campus. In 2022, our infrastructure team took considerable measures to improve the strength and resilience of our network. New equipment and subsequent enhancements allowed our campus to benefit from a more modern, resilient, and future minded network.
For our IT Infrastructure team, a successful network experience focuses on 3 main benefits – replacement, timeliness, and redundancy improvement. Our network offers unlimited potential for cross campus collaboration and key pillars of our academic community like High Performance Computing, academic research, and student support rely on the network. As we expand infrastructure access, we continue supporting the leadership and mission of Wake Forest, resulting in a more informed community.
Replacement
We target a six year refresh cycle for equipment supporting our network and the architecture through which it is organized. These refresh efforts are distributed so that every year, a different aspect or area is refreshed for continuous improvement. In 2022, work we completed on our campus fiber paved the way for exciting summer network optimizations that took place during our summer working block known as “magic week”.
“People really depend on the wireless network but they also assume that “wireless” is synonymous with internet.” says Rob Smith, Director of IT Infrastructure. But it’s far more complicated than that. Outside of meticulous physical planning, thorough resource planning happens within Infrastructure as well. The simple click of “wifi” requires thousands of on-ground man hours.
The six year refresh cycle ensures we are good stewards of University resources as we take the right steps to make sure we’re ready for our future.
Timeliness – Remembering COVID beginnings
Thanks to our robust network, we delivered remote connectivity without missing a beat during the rise of COVID-19. And because of this adaptability, we have been able to stay the course with remote requirements. Zoom, Google Meet, and other online communication platforms are here to stay, and we are proud to offer connections to meet students, faculty, and staff where as their needs evolve.
Redundancy Improvement
Redundancy, the diversified strength of a network, requires tedious on ground upkeep. The infrastructure team has a strong focus improving redundancy and speed optimization, ensuring we have safe physical data sites in multiple locations.
In 2022 we pursued serious investments around our core and physical wirings. These investments now look to a future that is as accessible as we can make it to be. The roads that used to be near the transit hub needed to be widened for campus improvements. Our main wireless fiber core was housed under those roads. Due to our sophisticated redundancy, utilization of our cloud first strategy and investment in the fiber core, we were able to move that fiber core without disruption to our campus community.
Looking Ahead
Wake is more dependent on the network than ever. In understanding that, continuity becomes even more essential. We plan to continue making segments of the network optimized, so when any function issues arise, in theory they will be virtually unnoticeable. Updating network speed is paramount as our use of video has gone from recreational to business critical. We are prepared and will stay prepared as trends continue to shift directions.