UVM's unified campus network began as an outcome of the 1990 University Computing Study which recommended the consolidation of Telecommunications and University Computing. Once funds from the 1985 telecommunications bond were made available, Network Services immediately began the deployment of a uniform, state-of-the-art campus network based upon structured wiring and a robust, high-speed fiberoptic backbone. This technology allowed several diverse and disconnected networks to be replaced by a common infrastructure standard.
This provided a uniform, baseline networking infrastructure. However, as years have passed, some areas have been able to move to the newer technology (category 6 (Cat6) network cables and modern intelligent 100+ megabit switches), while others are still limping along with with 20-year old wiring and shared 10 megabit equipment purchased a years ago.
Why the discrepancy in service levels? Doesn't the monthly port fee my department pays include technology life-cycle funding?
No. The monthly port fee (which is very low compared to our peers) covers the telephone and network operations, campus backbone, Internet connectivity, and support for one voice line and up to 2 data lines. See port charges for detail. While failing equipment is replaced or repaired, installation of new circuits or the latest equipment must be separately funded.
Why hasn't Network Services updated our entire campus-wide using state-of-the-art technology?
While Network Services would be delighted to bring the entire network up to contemporary standards, as an income-expense activity, they receive no institutional funding and rely upon customers (typically departments or building projects) to pay for network enhancements.
In the absence of sufficient funds to bring the entire campus network up to contemporary standards, the institution has left the decision to fund upgrades up to departments on the theory that the budget process will address priority needs. Presumably, departments for whom the older network connections were inadequate would either allocate funds to upgrade their network connections or would request funds from the administration to meet these needs. Under this model, many departments have purchased upgrades to state of the art network connections. For example, Residential Life funded the upgrade of all student connections to the latest technology in the summer/fall of 2002.
This doesn't sound very efficient...
Yes and no. The primary advantage is that it can preserve institutional funds through a budgetary priority setting model. In theory, this results in the greatest needs being met while the institution need not pay for upgrading connections that are already adequate.
On the other hand, upgrading networks in a piecemeal fashion can be costly. For efficiency, all networks in the same area (typically a building or a floor) should be upgraded at the same time.
Will there ever be central funding to bring the entire campus network up to contemporary standards?
Possibly, but like other parts of UVM's infrastructure, the campus network suffers from considerable deferred maintenance. Though many buildings have modern networks, the cost of bringing the remaining buildings up to current standard is expected to cost roughly $20 million. Because of the age of buildings and the risk of asbestos and other unpleasant surprises, accurate estimates require thorough site surveys which would in themselves be very costly. It is possible, however, that costs could be reduced by upgrading the whole campus at once.
Why couldn't Network Services borrow the funds necessary to upgrade the campus network and increase the monthly port fee to cover the amortization costs?
Very good question. In fact, this approach has been considered in the past and was recently recommended by the Research Competitiveness panel comprised of higher education experts from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In their 2003 report, they wrote:
There needs to be an announced plan that would remove and upgrade all substandard wiring. There is considerable expense associated with accomplishing the above and the likely reason for the current pace of upgrade is funding availability although there was no comprehensive upgrade plan evident during the visit. It is suggested that UVM review its charging model and consider raising the current connection charges which appear to be very low. This will help with acceleration of the network upgrade. Given how low the current charges are, it is not unreasonable to expect that the research oriented departments would be more than willing to help pay market costs for the enhanced connectivity. [emphasis by editor]
If we assume the $20 million estimate is accurate, the additional monthly port rate increase to amortize that cost over 15 years at 5% API would be $70.50 (for a total charge of around $110/month). This raises a number of questions:
While some departments would probably be willing to pay that much for the increased bandwidth, how about those who already have current technology? Or those who do really need the greater capacity? What about the departments who just plain don't have the funds?
Sounds grim. Does this mean we won't ever have a campus-wide network upgrade?
Not necessarily. As you might expect, this issue will be considered by the Information Technology Planning Council (ITPC). While the ITPC does not have a license to print money, their recommendations can be expected to have influence on technology investments. Of course, there is not a wealth of unallocated funding around -- while there is no shortage of other worthwhile IT needs that would benefit from a few million dollars.
Okay. In the meantime, what should we do to have our old network connections be upgraded? Our computers have gigabit network adapters but are not able to get more that a few megabits through our shared-10 connections.
Many departments have been able to fund their own network upgrades. In some areas, without asbestos, historical building issues and where suitable communications "closets" and reasonably accessible wiring pathways are available, the costs need not be prohibitive.
How much will is cost?
Costs can vary substantially. Network Services can provide estimates in simpler cases. In more complex cases involving construction or asbestos abatement, Architectural & Engineering Services will need to be involved to estimate the total cost.
Where will I get the funds?
Though funding can be a barrier, there are some of the ways other departments have been able to modernize their network connections:
Building Renovation Projects - Normally the network upgrades should be included in any significant renovation project. This is the most economical time to schedule network upgrades. Such projects are usually funded separately from departmental budgets. However, your building might not be scheduled for renovations for years, if, in fact, it is scheduled at all.
Annual Budget Request Cycle - In your annual budget request process, describe the reasons for requiring a network upgrade and request the necessary funds.
Reallocate Existing Department Funds - Some units have been able to reallocate funds within their existing budgets. Most commonly, departments are able to employ unused salary funds (due to extended vacancies or filling positions at a reduced cost).
Research Funding - Certain funded research projects require modern network connections. For example, researchers using Internet 2 should have switched 100 connections. Though everyone at UVM is connected to Internet2, a researcher will not get the full benefit of UVM's I2 connection (currently 45 megabits) without a modern "switched 100" connection.
Note, however, that some grants prohibit the use of grant funds for infrastructure costs. Check with Sponsored Programs or Grants & Contract Accounting for more information.
If you have comments or questions please contact us.
Roger Lawson Director, Computing & IT
Randy Spooner Interim Directory, Telecommunications & Network Services
Definitions:
Shared 10 megabit connection -- The technology originally deployed in the early 90s. All users on a physical subnet share the same 10 megabits of bandwidth. This is how old-fashioned "party line" phones and cable modems work. These networks can perform reasonably well as long as its users have modest bandwidth needs. However, if the instantaneous, aggregate data rate adds up to more than 40% of the bandwidth, data "collisions" can degrade performance to unacceptable levels.
Switched 100 megabit connection -- Each connection has a dedicated 100 megabit connection to a "network switch" which aggregates traffic to the network backbone.
Network Backbone -- The network that connects all buildings and the Internet connections. UVM currently has a gigabit backbone. The network backbone currently has adequate reserve capacity. However, if every campus network connection was brought up to 100 megabits switched, the backbone capacity could be increased to meet additional bandwidth demand.
Category 6 Network Wiring -- Cat6 wiring is the current standard for copper network cabling and is used for all new network connections at UVM. It is capable of handling network speeds up to a gigabit. While most contemporary network switches installed at UVM do not support gigabit switching, increasingly, desktop and server computers do and we can expect campus network switches eventually to support gigabit speeds. Currently, gigabit switches are very costly and are used only for specialized applications and central servers.