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Network Connectivity Program (NCP): ST Olin and Baker Lab

The phone and network wiring is being upgraded in ST Olin Research Wing and Baker Lab. (PSB already has a modern network).

Update, 12/8/2012As we hope you are aware, the infrastructure supporting the phones and data networks in ST Olin and Baker Lab are currently being upgraded. This collaboration between CIT and Chemistry IT will provide for faster networking and new phone options. We want to take this opportunity to update you on the project status and warn you of some upcoming changes. Warnings to all users ( applicable to ST Olin now and Baker Lab in the future ): As a result of the transition to new wiring, downtime will occur. It is anticipated that phone downtime will be kept at under half an hour, while network downtime should be under a few minutes. Please be aware that a large number of network devices, primarily printers, will be changing network addresses. This will require you to make configuration changes on your computers to re-establish connectivity to these devices. Chemistry IT will attempt to provide as much information and assistance as possible to research group liaisons on the changes and will assist any user that needs assistance during and after the transition. That be said, please understand if we can't immediately fix your transition connectivity issues. We might not be able to come immediately to fix your problems, but promise that we will get to you as quickly as possible. Our office will depend on each group's group liaison to assist us in determining if users are having problems. Baker Lab project status: As of today, CIT's contractors are still running the necessary wiring to all appropriate locations in Baker Lab. The contractors hope to complete the wiring by the second week of January, if not sooner. Once the contractors are finish, CIT will do their work to prepare the new wiring and will coordinate with Chemistry IT to transition users and computers to the new wiring. At this point, users in Baker Lab should not worry. No changes are planned for Baker Lab until the very last week of January at the earliest. We will work with the appropriate research groups and administrative offices on the transition schedule once we get closer to the actual transition. ST Olin project status: As of December 6th, 2012, CIT has turned on approximately 60 new RedRover wireless access points in ST Olin. This should provide 100% RedRover coverage in ST Olin for all devices. Chemistry IT has started to remove our wireless networks from ST Olin and hope in the next week to remove all Chemistry IT wireless devices from the building and finish the transition of users to using RedRover networks. Over the next two weeks, CIT and Chemistry IT will be transitioning computers and phones from the old wiring to the new wiring.  If you have any questions or concerns during this project and transition, please do not hesitate to stop by our office in 250 Baker Lab, call us at 607-255-6278, or email us at crcf//AT//cornell.edu.. Chemistry IT

Details

 
Conduit and related work continues to progress throughout our buildings as part of this preparation. 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@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 2012)
  • As of 12/7/12, RedRover (wireless) has been cut-over, as of 12/7/12.
Baker Lab
  • Cut-over expected to occur in January, or later.
  • Updates posted here 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@cornell.edu>

Technical issues: <crcf@cornell.edu>

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