The Next Generation Network (NGN)
Program is being scoped to address the results of several external and internal audits that highlight the risk of the university’s aging network. These audits identified inconsistencies in the quality, security, and reliability of the network.
The goals for the new NGN Program are:
- Improve wireless coverage and support for end users across the campus
- Resolve security findings and deficiencies overall
- Consolidate management of the network to reduce risk and improve overall quality of service
- Ensure Research infrastructure and data management is compliant with current and future standards
Project Phases
Phase 1: Planning
Completed
Assess the state of centrally-maintained and distributed network, architectures and technologies, and organizations. Work with the university IT community to formulate recommendations, offerings, plans and budgets. This work was completed in December 2022.
Phase 2: Preparation
In-Progress - February 9, 2023
Submit funding requests in accordance to the President's Transformation and Strategy Office to acquire products, professional services, and staffing to launch the Program to convert to the new technologies. This requires submitting for approval detailed plans for project costs and ongoing operational funding needs.
Phase 3: Execution
Not Approved
Implement the plans according to the defined scope, budget, and timeline, ensuring appropriate quality checks and consistent engagement with the IT support community throughout the implementation process. The NGN projects vary in duration and have interdependencies among them. As a program, they are expected to take one to five years to complete, depending on the specific project.
Key Features
Wireless and Wired Network Platform Assessments
- Wi-Fi Survey
- Wi-Fi Expansion
- Long-range platform and network management solution decisions
Resolve Security Findings & Deficiencies, Services Improvement Support
- Develop Security Class 1 and 2 Technologies
- Develop and Operate Common Enterprise Services
- NGN Service and Support Improvements
- Secure and Consolidate Management of Network Infrastructure Closets
Network Foundational Improvements & Transition
- Clean up Cable Management In Network Infrastructure closets
- Upgrade Aging and out of Support Building Network Switches and Components
- Upgrade Network (Telecom) Rooms
- Transition Buildings to New Next Generation Network Security Classes
Data Center Security Improvements
- Move Unit Servers to Data Center
- Data Center Security Profile Domains
Background Info
The university contracted a consulting firm specializing in higher education to perform a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of its current IT network, infrastructure, and underlying business practices. The goal was to develop a baseline snapshot of the current Wi-Fi and internet services accessed by students, faculty, staff, visitors, and guests. The consultant engaged with various IT support organizations across campus, as well as IT governance groups, to understand and prioritize areas for improvement in the IT network infrastructure. As a result, the NGN Program workstream has been divided into discrete projects that are currently under evaluation.
Additional Resources
You can contact the Next Generation Network Project by sending an email to: NextGenNet@austin.utexas.edu