CMU Network Upgrade
This page offers information about and updates on the 2024-25 network upgrade project.
Jump to:
- Project overview
- Key benefits
- Frequently asked questions
- Work schedule by building (Please add reminders to your calendars on the dates and times that may impact you.)
Project overview
As approved by the Board of Trustees at their June 25, 2024 meeting, CMU has entered into an agreement with Hewlett Packard Enterprise to modernize the infrastructure and significantly enhance the wired and wireless network service at CMU’s main and remote/satellite campuses. Wireless coverage within many buildings and surrounding outdoor spaces will be increased and improved upon. At the conclusion of this project, 100% of the university’s network hardware will have been replaced. Some of the work has already been completed and the remainder will be done throughout the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters.
The Board of Trustees approval of this resolution is a significant accomplishment for all of CMU and addresses a foundational IT investment needed to support CMU's 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. This project represents a significant step forward in modernizing CMU’s network infrastructure, providing reliable, high-speed connectivity that will support the university’s needs for years to come. The cost savings and enhanced performance underscore the strategic value of this investment.
Key benefits
Cost savings and increased support
A multi-year financing agreement will result in a cost savings of nearly $7 million over the next six years with no reduction in quality of service and will also allow CMU to benefit from improved vendor support.
Upgraded network hardware
The new network infrastructure will support existing and future network demands. Additional access points will also be installed to improve overall indoor and outdoor connectivity.
Unified wireless platform
All campus wireless services will transition to a unified wireless platform supporting the latest standards. The existing networks (CMICH, CMICH-DEVICE, and CMICH-GUEST) will remain unchanged, requiring no action from members of the university community.
Reduced number of ethernet ports
Due to the widespread use of wireless networks, the closure of several campus buildings and remote/satellite campuses, and a decline in use of ethernet-connected devices, ethernet ports will be consolidated, resulting in substantial savings in service, maintenance, and support costs.
Vendor support
The OIT networking team will be assisted by vendor-provided contractors throughout the project, ensuring the timely and efficient completion of the initial upgrades, as well as beneficial ongoing consultation and technical support.
Frequently asked questions
How will students, faculty, and staff be impacted?
On the date and times that a building is scheduled to be upgraded, occupants should expect partial to full internet outages for the duration of the advertised time. This applies to wired and wireless access for all network-connected devices.
Please plan your online activity accordingly, including, but not limited to, work, research, homework, submissions, data transfers, device usage, etc. outside of the upgrade windows.
When is the upgrade happening in the building(s) in which I live, work, take classes, or participate in activities in?
A work schedule by building is available at the bottom of this page. Please pay close attention to the legend and notes shown directly above the schedule. Each building will first be assigned a week when the work will be done and then a specific confirmed date. Building coordinators will communicate with occupants and this web page will be regularly updated.
How will I know if the schedule changes?
OIT staff will be regularly updating the work schedule by building on this page and will be in constant contact with building coordinators who will relay detailed information to all building occupants. Check back often and keep a close eye on your CMU email.
What can I do to help or prepare?
Faculty and staff should pay close attention to their CMU email. Building coordinators will be relaying important information prior to, during, and after upgrades have been completed.
Students should add a reminder to their personal calendars for the days and times their buildings will be impacted. Also, keep in touch with professors and supervisors to learn about planned outages.
Bookmark this page and check back frequently for updates.
Plan online activity accordingly, including, but not limited to, work, research, homework, submissions, data transfers, device usage, etc. outside of the upgrade windows.
Spread the word. Remind colleagues, students, and friends of scheduled outage times.
How were students, faculty, and staff notified of this project?
Email #1 was sent to all students, faculty, and staff, and a news story was posted, on Tuesday, October 15th. Posts were also made to CMU Today and Student News.
Who should I contact with questions, concerns, or challenges?
The OIT Help Desk team is ready, willing, and able to assist.
During their open hours, you reach out to them via chat, phone, or stop into Park Library 101. Emails can be sent and tickets submitted 24/7.
Work schedule by building
The table below portrays the week that each building is scheduled for upgrade, and, once chosen, the confirmed date that the actual work will occur. Please add reminders to your calendars on the dates and times that may impact you. Check back often and keep a close eye on your CMU email for important updates from your building coordinator. If and when adjustments are necessary, building coordinators will be notified and asked to pass information along to occupants.
A considerable amount of planning, preparation, and coordination has already occurred and will continue throughout the project between OIT staff, building coordinators, Facilities Management, vendor partners, building occupants, and other key parties.
Legend
Scheduled for week of | Initially, each building has been/will be assigned to a specific week during which the upgrade will occur. |
Confirmed date | This is the specific date when the work will be completed. It will be/has been chosen and confirmed in collaboration with the respective building coordinator. |
TBD | Upgrade week date is still to be determined. |
Upgrade has been delayed. See note. | |
Upgrade has been completed. |
Important Notes
- Barring unforeseen challenges or unique situations in select buildings, the duration of an upgrade will be approximately four hours. Specifics will be established between OIT and building coordinators who will pass information along to occupants.
- Academic buildings will be upgraded after 10 p.m. on the confirmed date.
- Administrative buildings will be upgraded after 6 p.m. on the confirmed date.
Building | Scheduled for week of | Confirmed date | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
Anspach | ||||
Barnes Kitchen | ||||
Barstow House | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
Beaver Island | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
Beddow | ||||
Bennett Track | ||||
Biosciences | ||||
Bovee University Center | ||||
Brooks | ||||
Campbell | ||||
Carey | ||||
Carey Food | ||||
Carlin Alumni House | ||||
CART | ||||
Celani | ||||
Chippewa Champions Center | ||||
CIHS | ||||
CMED - Colony | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
CMED - Concentric | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
CMED - Hallmark | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
CMED - Main Campus | ||||
CMED - Stone Street | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
Cobb | ||||
Combined Services Building | ||||
Dow | ||||
EHS | ||||
Emmons | ||||
Engineering & Technology | ||||
Fabiano | ||||
Finch Fieldhouse | ||||
Foust | ||||
Graduate Apartments | ||||
Grawn | ||||
Grounds South | ||||
Health Professions | ||||
Herrig | ||||
I & O - Detroit | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
I & O - Fort Leavenworth Kansas | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
I & O - Grand Rapids | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
I & O - Lansing | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
I & O - North | ||||
I & O - Saginaw | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
I & O - Southfield | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
I & O - Traverse City | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
I & O - Troy | Spring 2025 - TBD | |||
Indoor Athletic Complex | ||||
Intramural Field | ||||
Kelly Shorts Stadium | ||||
Kesseler | ||||
Kulhavi | ||||
Margo Jonker Stadium | ||||
McGuirk Arena | ||||
Merrill | ||||
Merrill Food | ||||
Michigan Special Olympics | ||||
Moore/Bush Theater | ||||
Motorpool | ||||
Music | ||||
North Art Studio | ||||
Park Library | ||||
Pearce | ||||
Power House (CEF) | ||||
Powers | ||||
Public Broadcasting | TBD | |||
Research Lab | ||||
Ronan | ||||
Rose/Ryan | ||||
Rowe | ||||
Satellite Energy Facility | ||||
Saxe | ||||
Sloan | ||||
Smith | ||||
Student Activity Center | ||||
Sweeney | ||||
Theunissen Stadium | ||||
Thorpe | ||||
Traverse City Connect | ||||
Troutman | ||||
UC - Art Gallery | ||||
Warriner | ||||
West | ||||
Wheeler | ||||
Wightman | ||||
Woldt | ||||
Woldt Dining | TBD |