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University speeds up, expands network
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
 
CONTACT: Karen Shuey
For the Temple Times
 
Computer Services has embarked on a multi-year project to upgrade the entire Temple network, which will allow students, faculty and staff to search the Internet with lightning speed, watch their favorite streaming videos with no interruptions and communicate knowing their messages will arrive quickly and securely.

“Over the years, the network has become a critical resource for the entire university community,” said Vice President of Computer and Information Services Timothy O’Rourke. “It’s vital that the telecommunications infrastructure functions reliably, stays up-to-date and remains capable of supporting the rapid growth in technological advances.”

fiber optic map
Art by Kevin Gardner

On Main Campus alone, there are more than 5,887 miles of copper wire and 1,030 miles of fiber optic wire used to make sure he network runs smoothly. Strung together, the wire would reach from Temple’s Main Campus to Temple University, Japan Campus, in Tokyo.
   

While most people don’t realize how important the network really is until they find that they aren’t able to log in to their e-mail accounts, the system is responsible for most campus operations — some that may even be the difference between life and death. Without the network, hospital employees would be unable to retrieve patient information or recover test results, to name just two.

“Every time a person [at Temple] signs on to the Internet, checks their e-mail, streams a YouTube video, they are doing it through our network,” O’Rourke said. “A lot of the equipment we have now is over 10 years old, and our network keeps expanding at an ever-increasing rate. This upgrade will allow us to better handle that kind of traffic.”

Upgrading the network will include: Rebuilding the data network by replacing equipment that is no longer current and compatible with technology advancements, upgrading and expanding wireless coverage throughout all campuses, and improving desktop telephones and other phone systems to take advantage of the enhancements made available by recent software upgrades to the telephone equipment.

While network users may experience some minor interruptions during the construction, behind-the-scenes, dozens of engineers and data processors will be making sure the upgrade runs as smoothly and quickly as possible.

“This talented and dedicated group of people will spend 26 scheduled maintenance nights working from midnight to 4 a.m. to get the project done, and still be at work the next morning,” said Assistant Vice President of Telecommunications Claire McNicholas. “They have to take down a piece of equipment, replace it and then expect it to run at 100 percent the minute we go back online,” O’Rourke added. “That’s like a person going in for a heart transplant at night and then being expected to be able to run a marathon the very next day,”

Although the $11 million project is not anticipated to be completed until 2010, O’Rourke and McNicholas said the core of the infrastructure should be replaced in time for the fall 2007 semester.