Phase 4: Infrastructure Workstream
The Programme will provide the University with a fit-for-purpose physcial infrastructure. Included in this is the upgrade of our equipment nodes, structured cabling and external fibre as well as the expansion our WiFi service, both internally and externally.
The importance of the network infrastructure
The data network is a largely invisible utility and is largely taken for granted. However, with more and more activity at the University becoming digitally enabled, the impact of a network disruption is huge. The Network Programme aims to deliver a more resilient data network that is a reliable underpin to securely and efficiently connect network participants across the University and the wider world.
The Infrastructure Pilot
The ‘long tail’ of the Network Programme is that of the roll-out of the new network at the ‘edge’, ie where the local equipment nodes, cabling and wi-fi service feed the data network capabilities into 200+ buildings across the University of Glasgow. This is the work that is planned to be carried out in Phase 5+ of the Network Programme.
Due to the size, complexity and divergence of standards and needs across the UofG and its buildings, this is not a straightforward activity to plan, cost or indeed execute. To assist in planning and costing for Phase 5+, Phase 4 will include a small pilot where work will be carried out in a number of buildings where equipment nodes, cabling and wi-fi will be upgraded / expanded to help us learn the lessons for Phase 5+. This work will include site surveys, wi-fi surveys, low level design, re-siting, supply, power, installation and commissioning of the new network at the edge.
As Phase 4 predominately includes the upgrade of our core and distribution network and work will already be being carried out there, the pilot buildings will be selected* from the following buildings that our core and distribution nodes are planned to be located:
Gilmorehill
- James Watt North
- James Watt South
- Sir James Black Building
- Sir Alexander Stone Building
- Library
- South East Main Building (Gilbert Scott)
- Davidson Building
*Note that whilst we recognise the fact that many building occupants will feel that they have a special case to be included, the NP cannot accommodate all requests and only a few can be selected for the pilot, with the others being high on the list for Phase 5+.
Work is currently being undertaken by way of identifying requirements, low level design and costings based on said designs that will assist us in finalising the set of buildings to be included in the infrastructure pilot as part of Phase 4.
Status & Plans
The infrastructure workstream has been through a large logistical exercise in undertaking surveys and producing reports based on their findings – in other words, establishing the current state. This included:
- All 292 equipment nodes have had surveys undertaken and Initial Condition Reports produced;
- All 207 buildings in scope have had their enhanced wireless surveys undertaken and their RF survey reports produced; and
- 285 fibre audits have been undertaken and results produced.
We are now moving onto the future state, focussing initially on producing Low Level Designs (LLDs) for the buildings where our core and distribution nodes will be located, a sub-set of which will be included in our infrastructure pilot. Post the LLDs, we will be meeting with building stakeholders to take them through our designs and, along with review from our own networks team, will be looking to get them finalise and approved so that, at a relevant time**, we can get the full set-of works costed and scheduled.
** The actual delivery of the infrastructure workstream, including wireless, will take a number of years (Phase 5+). Whilst we are getting the designs undertaken now and we recognise that building use, layout etc may change going forward, having these ready in advance will allow us to move more quickly and increase cadence as we move through Phase 5+, catering for any changes as they arise.
As the schedule of works by building, moving through the stages from design through approval to scheduling and actually carrying out the work matures, we will look to share this information here when available.
Infrastructure Facts and Figures
- 3 Campus’s:
- Gilmorehill
- Garscube
- Crichton
- 207 internal enhanced wi-fi surveys undertaken and reports produced
- 292 equipment nodes surveyed and Initial Condition Reports produced
- Over 80k cables carrying data
- 4 external area’s surveyed and WiFi reports produced
- 285 Fibre audits undertaken and outcomes produced
Communication Approach for Infrastructure Pilot Building Stakeholders
The Network Programme will adopt the stakeholder engagement approach shown in the illustration below by proactively involving key faculty, staff, alumni, and relevant external partners, seeking their input and collaboration to shape program initiatives, address concerns, and foster a collaborative environment for the benefit of each building within the university campuses.
Completed Works: Infrastructure
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Completed Works |
User Impact |
Where? |
When? |
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James Watt North (JWN) - Pilot Building Network Upgrade:
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Non-intrusive infrastructure works were carried out which caused little disruption to building users. There was a weeekend of power outage which also caused disruption | James Watt North (JWN) | 27 November 2023 to 21 December 2023; from 09:00 to 17:00 |
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Davidson Building - Pilot Building Network Upgrade:
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Non-intrusive infrastructure works were carried out which caused little disruption to building users. There was a weeekend of power outage which also caused disruption | Davidson Building | 8 January 2024 to 23 February 2024; from 09:00 to 17:00 |
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Southeast Corner of Gibert Scott - Power & Network Outage:
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There was no network access for users from 08:30 on 23 March 24 through to 17:00 on 24 March 2024 (entirety of 32.5 hrs) and no power for ~4hrs on Saturday morning (23/3/24). | Levels 1-5 of the southeast corner of the Main Building (Gilbert Scott) - Between Geography corner and staircase 389 | 08:30 on 23 March 2024 to 17:00 on 24 March 2024 (32.5 hrs) |
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Southeast corner of the Gilbert Scott Building - Pilot Building Network Upgrade:
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There waas no loss of service planned, however, there were disruptions to building users of the southeast corner of Gilbert Scott (levels 1-5; namely Geographical & Earth Sciences (GES) and Adam Smith Business School (ASBS) areas of said corner). Specific disruptions were shared through local building comms. For further information please contact:
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Southeast corner of the Gilbert Scott Building | 19 February 2024 to 26 April 2024; from 09:00 to 17:00 each day |
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Sir Michael Stoker Building - Pilot Building Network Upgrade:
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There is no loss of service planned, however, there will be disruptions to building users of the Sir Michael Stoker Building (levels 1-4 and rooms 501, 503 and 504). Specific disruptions will be shared through local building comms. For further information please contact:
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Sir Michael Stoker Building (levels 1-4 and rooms 501, 503 and 504) | 29 April 2024 to 14 June 2024; from 09:00 to 17:00 each day but not incl. 2 and 3 May 2024 |
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Wolfson Wohl TCRC Building - Pilot Building Network Upgrade:
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There is no loss of service planned, however, there will be disruptions to building users of the Wolfson Wohl TCRC. Specific disruptions will be shared through local building comms. For further information please contact:
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Wolfson Wohl TCRC | 7 May 2024 to 21 June 2024; from 09:00 to 17:00 each day |
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Sir Michael Stoker: REBL CL3 Lab |
There was no loss of service planned, however, there was disruption to building users of the Sir Michael Stoker Building REBL CL3 Lab (level 5). Specific disruptions were shared through local building comms. For further information please contact:
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Sir Michael Stoker: REBL CL3 Lab | 20 August 2024 to 23 August 2024 |
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Library Building - Pilot Building Network Upgrade:
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There was no loss of service planned, however, there were disruptions to building users of the Library. Specific disruptions were shared through local building comms. For further information please contact:
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Library | 3 June 2024 to 15 November 2024; from 09:00 to 17:00 (daily) |