Boosting Our Connection: The Campus-wide Network Upgrade
What鈥檚 Happening?
If you鈥檝e noticed the IT Services Network Team moving gear into your building鈥檚 data closets lately, you鈥檙e seeing the Edge Switch Replacement Project in action.
We are replacing the aging hardware that connects your computers, printers, and Wi-Fi access points to the campus network. Think of it like upgrading an old, narrow plumbing system with brand-new, high-capacity pipes鈥攅verything just flows better. Once installed, digital traffic flows faster and more reliably across the entire university.
Why This Matters to You
While most of this work happens behind the scenes, the benefits are central to your daily operations. This initiative provides:
- Greater Reliability: Newer hardware means fewer unexpected outages.
- Enhanced Security: Maintaining and strengthening campus-wide port security to keep data safe.
- Modern Speed: Designed to handle the high-bandwidth needs of a modern university.
Where We Are Now
We have successfully completed the foundational phase of the project鈥攐rdering, receiving, and pre-configuring hundreds of pieces of hardware. We are now in the most critical stage: Campus-wide Installation.
Project Timeline: Started: May 1, 2025
- Current Status: Installation is active across 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock buildings. Over 60% of the buildings have been upgraded
- Target Completion: August 1, 2026
What to Expect
As we move building-by-building, there may be brief windows of network downtime while the old hardware is physically swapped for the new. To minimize the impact on your work and ensure a seamless transition, IT Services has implemented the following protocols:
- Advanced Notice: IT Services will send specific communications to building occupants prior to their scheduled upgrade.聽
- Strategic Scheduling: To avoid disrupting instruction or administrative tasks, most work is performed after hours.聽
- Quality Assurance: Following every swap, the Networks team performs a “User Acceptance Test” to verify that all systems are fully operational before moving to the next location.聽
If you experience any persistent connectivity issues following an upgrade in your building, please contact IT Services.