In order to meet the increasing demands for reliable and high-speed connectivity, DIT is excited to announce plans to replace and upgrade our campus network. This initiative aims to modernize our network infrastructure, unify the wired and wireless network experience, improve coverage on campus, and enhance security to protect us from cyber-threats.
This upgrade will provide these exciting network service enhancements:
- Increase indoor wireless coverage density across UMD’s 250 academic, administrative, and residential buildings through the installation of 2,500 new wired switches, and 18,000 new wireless access points, an increase of more than 6,000 over the current count.
- Deploy the new Wi-Fi 6E technology, which enables faster, more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity and better supports bandwidth-intensive activities.
- Expand outdoor wireless in key locations such as McKeldin Mall and Hornbake Plaza.
- Deliver seamless “at home” experiences for students who live on campus. This will allow students to set up their devices to interact with each other for things like wireless printing and casting a video from their phone to their smart TV while maintaining security.
After a multi-month competitive procurement, we are pleased to announce that UMD has selected two companies to furnish and install the network. Aruba Networks will provide the wireless and wired network devices. Aruba is a major provider of networking technologies to companies and universities worldwide. PIER Group will provide engineering and installation services. PIER Group is a leading technology firm specializing in higher education network infrastructure deployments.
Timeline
2023 - June-December - Preparation and Testing
During the summer and fall, Division of Information Technology staff and our installation partners will be doing preliminary work to prepare for a rapid deployment of the improved network services in 2024. This phase involves extensive engineering and testing in a small set of pilot buildings. During this phase, we will also upgrade building infrastructure like power and cabling to support the new network. We will notify IT and facilities reps for units in impacted buildings as work proceeds.
2024 - January-August - Deployment
In January, we’ll begin rapid building-level deployments with the aim of completing the network refresh by August 2024. 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. Specific notifications will be sent about each outage to network users in each affected building.
Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation during this exciting initiative. When completed, UMD will have a next-generation network that will foster opportunities for fearless innovation, collaboration, and learning for years to come.
To learn more about the project, visit the initiative webpage. If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to the project team at campusnetworkrefresh@umd.edu.
-- Adapted from an email to all UMD faculty and staff sent June 6, 2023 and signed by Jeffrey K. Hollingsworth, VP and CIO and Axel Persaud, Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Engineering, Division of Information Technology --