Phase 4
Phase 4 saw the formation of an excellent working relationship between Capita and the University to jointly tackle the renewal of the complex infrastructure at the heart of our network. This work is now substantially complete with delivery highlights including increased internet bandwidth, new firewalls deployed, new core routers deployed, new domain name and internet protocol address management system deployed and a new public Wi-Fi solution.
Crucially the NP had also undertaken extensive surveying across all our buildings and completed upgrades on X pilot buildings with a Y nearing completion, to generate lessons, develop repeatable patterns and produced actual costs representative of the work expected in Phase 5 in order to inform the forecast-to-complete estimate.
Phase 4 Overview
Phase 4 delivered detailed low-level design and implementation of the network foundation whilst also looking at how we work supporting this new and modern network. This Phase also carried out a small pilot on improving the Wi-Fi, fibre and existing network equipment areas (nodes) within the buildings that were required in order to deliver the network campus wide. Finally, we also delivered the new Public Wi-Fi service that is now running across the campus.
Phase 4 has also seen the formation of an excellent working relationship between Capita and the University to jointly tackle the renewal of the complex infrastructure at the heart of our network. This work is now substantially complete with delivery highlights including increased internet bandwidth, new firewalls deployed, new core routers deployed, new domain name and internet protocol address management system deployed and a new public Wi-Fi solution.
Crucially, the NP has also undertaken extensive surveying across all our buildings and completed upgrades on ten pilot buildings with an eleventh underway, to generate lessons, develop repeatable patterns and produce actual costs representative of the work ahead that have been used to inform the forecast-to-complete estimate.
Phase 4 Completion and Transitioning to Phase 5
Phase 4 has been highly successful. The majority of the complex network engineering at the network core has been implemented without disruption to our staff and students. The full list of achievements is detailed in Appendix 1.
Crucially Phase 4 has also undertaken significant work to prepare for Phase 5:
- Surveying the entire network in every building to generate a comprehensive database of the current state and insight of the required works in each
- Upgrade of eight pilot buildings to generate actual costs and learnings
- Development of a repeatable approach to design, Estates approvals, engagement with building users and delivery
Whilst Phase 5 presents a very different challenge to Phase 4, this work allows the NP to approach Phase 5 with great confidence.
The character of the NP now transitions from complex network engineering at the core of our network to the very physical challenge of deploying the new network throughout all our historic buildings. The approach to this is described in section 7.
Public WiFi
The Network Programme has delivered a solid, mature and feature-rich Public Wi-Fi service for UofG. This service is available everywhere on campus where Wi-fi connectivity is present. This is the UofG’s first provision of a true campus-wide Public Wi-Fi service to its visitors and guests
- Find out more on Public WiFi
Infrastructure Workstream
The focus of the infrastructure workstream is on improving the physical structure of our network.
For information on:
- The infrastructure pilot
- Status & plans
- Useful facts & figures
Find out more about the NP Infrastructure Workstream
Network Workstream
The focus of the Network workstream is on upgrading and modernising the data network, including to a new Cisco Software Defined Access network which will also change the way we do things.
For information on:
- Software Defined Access (SD-A)
- Design document status'
- Useful facts & figures
Find out more about the NP Network Workstream
Target Operating Model (TOM)
The focus of the TOM is to ensure continual improvement, benefits received are maximised and changes are embedded effectively and efficiently.
For information on:
- Background & introduction
- Target Operating Model (TOM) outputs
- TOM glossary
Find out more about NP TOMs
Glossary
Information Services (IS): Combines the Library and IT Services and focuses on the implementation of a coherent information strategy, the provision of user-centric services for students and staff, the provision of first-class learning spaces and the optimal use of enterprise systems and technology as a whole
Janet: Janet is a high-speed network for the UK research and education community provided by Jisc, a not-for-profit company set up to provide computing support for education.
Network Design Authority (NDA): The creation of an NDA role is a high priority goal of the NP TOM. These will be among the duties of the NDA, for which a Terms of Reference shall be developed in full for approval:
Documentation and diagrams for the campus network are to be created and managed. Architecture is to be planned according to industry best practices
Areas that require improvement are to be identified based on network monitoring, hardware capabilities, and architecture requirements, as well as future planning initiatives
The role will also drive and set the example for network standards and their guidelines
Network Infrastructure Investment Programme (NP): The UofG’s ambitions are to design and build a forward-thinking, future proof network infrastructure to underpin current and future business needs. The Network Infrastructure Investment Programme will invest now to modernise the network as well as sustain investment on an ongoing basis to ensure that the UofG’s network continues to meet the needs and ambitions of its users (i.e., its students, staff, visitors (incl. suppliers and guests) and remote users of digital services).
NP Team: The NP team is comprised of the NP Change Manager (Jon Mosca), Junior NP Project Manager (Numaan Khan), and two Helpdesk Analysts (Andy Bell and Christopher Atkinson) and they are responsible for ensuring the NP TOM addresses all operational needs on the campus network.
Primary Technology Partner (PTP): UofG have onboarded a Primary Technology Partner (PTP), Capita IT Services, who is going to be key in the deployment of the NP and the TOM. The PTP will be our primary contact for the procurement, configuration, and deployment of hardware, and for all technical support required for said hardware. They will also be responsible for ensuring the continued support for the networking assets procured and deployed for the NP.
RAIDs: RAID analysis is a project planning technique for identifying key project Risks (R), Assumptions (A), Issues (I), and Dependencies (D). Project teams should complete an initial analysis at the beginning of the project and then monitor the issues via a RAID Log. Each item can be rated based on its impact on the speed, profitability, or outcomes of the project, allowing you to focus on what is most important.
RACI: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed. A responsibility assignment matrix, also known as RACI matrix or linear responsibility chart, describes the participation by various roles in completing tasks or deliverables for a project or business process.