Updated memo originally sent to staff (11/6/12) and faculty (11/28/12) with information about the "when", "what", "why", and "who" regarding our network upgrades.
Conduit and related work is being done (or is completed) throughout each building as part of this upgrade project. However, it is the "cutting-over" from the old wiring to the new wiring which you will notice the most. CRCF has compiled the information below to help prepare and inform you about these upcoming changes, including when and how these changes will affect you and your group.
Your preparation and engagement is critical to this project's success. Your question or concern is likely shared with others, and you may contribute ideas which end up helping others. If you have questions or concerns which are not adequately addressed in the information below, please contact us at <crcf//AT//cornell.edu> so we may discuss how we can best serve you. Thank you for contributing so we may learn from each other, and share with others.
Special kudos to CRCF's Michael Hint for orchestrating the many technical details on behalf of Chemistry, including attending the project group's weekly 8AM meetings over the past several months!
WHEN will the phone and wiring upgrades’ cut-over occur?
ST Olin
- Cut-over is happening now (December 10, 2012). It is expected to be completed by 12/22/12.
- As of 12/7/12, RedRover (wireless) has been cut-over.
Baker Lab
- Cut-over is expected to occur late January, or later.
- Updates will be posted on our main NCP page during cut-over.
For each building, the entire cut-over is expected to occur over a week or two.
The interruption in any specific area will occur during a single day, during normal working hours.
The interruption to any specific networked device (computer, printer, etc.) or phone is expected to be measured in minutes, not hours.
BEFORE the cut-over, in preparation, CRCF staff will continue to work with area representatives to collect information on every device affected by this upgrade and identifying necessary changes. Some decisions require local unit discretion so we really value your involvement as we draw up these detailed plans. (Thank you, Michael Hint!)
WHAT will each of us notice? Some specifics on HOW.
By in large, the technical interruptions will be done with CRCF staff working with you or a designate on a machine-by-machine basis, keeping disruption to a minimum. We will proceed through each area as efficiently as possible, and we appreciate your support, patience, and understanding!
Every networked device (computer, printer, etc.) will need to be cut-over. On the day of the cut-over, both networks will be working in parallel. The disruption occurs when the network cable gets moved by CRCF staff from the old jack to the new jack. At that time, CRCF staff will also need to make the necessary software changes to your computer to work on the new wiring and to access your network printers (which will also need to be shifted to the new wiring, naturally.)
All phones will also need to be cut-over, and some phones will also need to be changed to work with the new technology (Voice over IP, or "VoIP"). Some of them will need to be positioned in a new location. On the day of the cut-over, the phone number will be moved from working through the old jack to working on the new jack, causing temporary loss of service. CRCF staff will be on-hand to move cables to re-enable the phone service. We are informed that settings in existing digital phones will be migrated to work with the new VoIP phone. CRCF staff will also be available to orient you to your new phone, if you are transitioning from analog to VoIP. Those of you on existing digital (“spy”) phones will be changed to VoIP phone with no change in functionality. Those who will continue using an analog phone (FAX, cordless phones) will need the phone’s wires moved from the old network to the new network.
Wireless devices using CRCF's wireless service will need to move to RedRover/eduroam. These devices can be configured to work with RedRover right now, reducing disruption as the CRCF wireless service gets deactivated in each area.
At some point after the cut-over, the old wiring will be removed throughout our buildings.
WHY the upgrade?
The primary end-use impacts of this project are:
* Gigabit-capable speed to the desktop
* IP-based telephony
* Much more pervasive RedRover wireless
* Additional emergency phones installed
This upgrade is part of the Cornell-wide Network Connectivity Program (NCP):
http://www.it.cornell.edu/about/projects/ncp/about.cfm
The Network Connectivity Program (formerly known as EzraNet) is a multi-million-dollar, 3-year initiative to upgrade network infrastructure in 49 buildings on Cornell’s Ithaca campus. The project will bring Cornell University to a competitive level with peer universities. It will increase data speeds to gigabit capabilities, provide building-wide wireless coverage, offer IP-based telephony, and standardize the cable plant within buildings.
The FAQ is at <http://www.it.cornell.edu/about/projects/ncp/faq.cfm>.
The temporary wireless service CRCF has been providing in many areas will be eliminated and replaced by the Cornell wireless networking services (RedRover, eduroam), which are standardized across campus and provide significantly consistent performance.
Phone upgrade FAQ is at <http://www.it.cornell.edu/services/ip_voice/voip-ncp.cfm>.
WHO in CCB serve as our contacts for this project, and how may I contact them if I have further questions?
Construction issues: <chembuildingservices//AT//cornell.edu>
Technical issues: <crcf//AT//cornell.edu>