When UD Information Technologies (UDIT) completed a major upgrade to the University's core data center network this spring, it marked the first significant modernization of the environment since 2013.

To put that in perspective, the last major upgrade occurred when the iPhone 5 was still relatively new, streaming services were just beginning to reshape entertainment, and cloud computing was far less common than it is today.

Despite supporting thousands of users, research activities, administrative systems, and online services every day, the University's core data center network had operated continuously for more than 13 years without a major modernization effort.

This year, that changed.

Building the Foundation for the Future

On June 3, UDIT completed a comprehensive modernization of the University's core data center network infrastructure.

While most members of the campus community will never see the data center itself, nearly every technology service they use depends on it. From Canvas and email to research systems, financial applications, and cloud-based services, the data center serves as the backbone of the University's digital environment.

The upgrade dramatically increased the capacity, resiliency, and flexibility of the network that connects these systems. More importantly, it introduced full redundancy, allowing future maintenance and upgrades to occur with little or no disruption to campus services.

The new architecture also better connects the University's primary and backup data centers, strengthening disaster recovery capabilities and ensuring critical services remain available when they are needed most.

In summary, the new architecture now:

• Provides 25G and 100G server connectivity

• Delivers full network redundancy for improved resiliency

• Enables future maintenance and patching activities with little to no downtime

• Extends connectivity between primary, backup, and performance data centers

• Creates a scalable foundation for future high-speed network growth without requiring major re-architecture

A Smarter Campus Network

Over the past year, UDIT completed a major modernization of campus wired and wireless infrastructure across 25 buildings.

The project replaced aging network equipment, deployed 600 new Wi-Fi 6E access points, upgraded network cabling, and modernized core networking systems throughout campus.

While faster speeds are one benefit, the project was designed primarily to improve reliability, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

The modernization reduced the number of network switches across participating buildings by 45 percent, from 360 devices to 198. By consolidating and optimizing network resources, the University can now support the same—and growing—demand with fewer devices to power, maintain, replace, and secure.

The result is a simpler, more resilient network that is easier to manage and better prepared for future growth.

Key outcomes of the project include:

• A 45% reduction in network switches, reducing the total number of switches from 360 to 198

• Optimization of nearly 18,000 network ports into approximately 9,000 ports with improved utilization efficiency

• Deployment of 600 new Wi-Fi 6E wireless access points (1,200 radios total)

• Installation of new Cat6a cabling infrastructure

• Replacement of all remaining legacy Wi-Fi 5 access points across campus

• Integration of new campus firewalls into the core network

• Upgrades to core network router hardware and routing software

• Modernization of the campus transport network with 100 Gbps building distribution connectivity and future support for 400 Gbps capacity

Supporting Research, Teaching, and Innovation

Together, these investments create a stronger technology foundation for the University community.

The upgraded infrastructure is designed to support growing wireless usage, cloud services, artificial intelligence initiatives, advanced research computing, and the increasing number of connected devices used across campus every day.

Just as importantly, the modernization positions the University to adapt more easily to future technology needs without requiring another large-scale redesign.

While most users may never notice these upgrades directly, they will benefit from the improved reliability, resiliency, and scalability that now underpin the University's technology environment.