1. 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

3. 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

4. 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, & ...

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

6. Deployed Access Points 2007-Present

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

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

9. 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

10. 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