Network Communications Services - University Technology Services

About Network Communications

The Network Communications team is responsible for:

Wiring and cable plant design and engineering
Telecommunications engineering
Internet and Internet2 connectivity
Wireless initiatives
Router, switch, and firewall engineering and operation
Network services including domain name services, Internet Protocol addressing, and network time
Standards for network attached devices on campus
Bandwidth management
Network utilization analysis
Network access support and security
Network security

Mission

The UTS network team vision can be described as the "R5 Strategy":

Reliability — The network is foundational to administrative, academic, and community operations. The team seeks to install network components and implement strategies that maintain and increase the current performance and reliability of the network. This includes plans to install failover components at critical network points, to install new wiring and infrastructure when funded, and to have plans in place for the swift restoration of service when there is a mechanical or other situation that could impact network availability.
Resourcefulness — This is both a financial and an operational vision. Financially, the team seeks to advise on and implement the most cost effective solution available to support any technology request. Operationally, the team seeks to implement the least complex available solution to attain the goal or support the vision. Where there is currently too much complexity or too great a cost, the team will redesign to minimize the impact.

Relevance — The network is used for business functions, teaching functions, research functions, and social/residential functions. The network team will research, remain aware of best practices, and implement features and services that are both necessary and, where possible, innovative to each of these functions. The team will cyclically maintain the network with technologies that are either leading or mature in each application area.

Readiness — The network team will follow plans and implement solutions that allow for technology agility wherever possible in order to deliver new features or services while installing the minimum amount of equipment or making the minimal number of changes necessary. The team will choose standards-based technologies, will seek to avoid a high amount of customization, will design in a modular fashion, and will continue to track best practices to maximize readiness. Specific horizon readiness goals include network video, collaboration applications, converged voice and mobility goals, and the ability to transition to IPv6 when the Internet oversight communities mandate this.
Responsibility (and Reassurance) — Deliver networking infrastructure that produces data integrity, strength against risk, and security while supporting the needs of the community in a balance that addresses regulatory standards, best practices, and innovation. Initiatives in this area include increased network authentication, network access controls, and proactive network monitoring, controls, and auditing.

The Team: