Network Infrastructure and Services www.nis.vt.edu Ask-NIS@vt.edu NI&S: Status Update on Projects and Accomplishments Presented to the CCS-ITEE-NI&S Advisory Subcommittee April 24, 2018 William C. Dougherty, Executive Director Network Infrastructure and Services www.nis.vt.edu Ask-NIS@vt.edu

NI&S MISSION: NI&S seeks to collaboratively advance the university’s mission by: -providing reliable, secure, high capacity I.T. infrastructure services -applying design thinking to customer challenges for optimal solutions -providing excellent service design and delivery

Recent Accomplishments Since 2010 Rewired 90% of the campus (including fiber), Replaced all voice devices (over 8200 devices), Upgraded internet (WAN) to 100Gbps, Expanded wifi (incl. all residential bldgs), installed a no-cost Guest system, piloted Game console & Zoom Room access, added 17 outdoor locations, Upgraded network “core” and “border” Then there’s the DAS project, fire alarm annunciators for VT alerts, indoor emergency telephones, surveillance cameras, & ...

Mobility is THE area of growth & NI&S is responding

Deployed Access Points 2007-Present

Number of guest wireless accounts created per week - Academic Year 2017

Outdoor Wifi as of April 2018 Plus Vet Med and CRC spots

Challenges Technology refreshment and keeping pace with change→ e.g., What’s next for voice? (Bldg & room use changes also a factor.) Business Model→ Should service revenues cover the costs of services? (The surge in wifi traffic is exposing a decades old model built on access to the “modem pool.”) Personnel turnover→ Eleven retirements between January 2018 and March 2019

In the end, the focus is on Customer Service Really nothing new, just re-emphasizing what should be obvious… Customers include everyone we work with, whether they pay fees or not. Most full time employees have gone through “Brand” orientation sessions. Refresh sessions are being conducted with supervisors and managers