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CMU Network Upgrade

This page offers information about and updates on the 2024-25 network upgrade project.

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Project overview

Maroon and gold pie chart showing percentage of overall project completed.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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Email #1 was sent to all students, faculty, and staff on Tuesday, October 15th. If additional emails are sent, links will be added to this FAQ. Posts were also made to CMU Today and Student News.

    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.

    Contact the Help Desk

    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 ofInitially, each building has been/will be assigned to a specific week during which the upgrade will occur.
    Confirmed dateThis 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.
    TBDUpgrade week date is still to be determined.
    Triangular red icon with a white exclamation point in the center indicating that work has been delayed.
    		Upgrade has been delayed. See note.
    Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed.Upgrade has been completed.

    Important Note

    • 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
    Anspach10/28/24 
    		 
    Barnes Kitchen10/14/2410/15/24  
    Barstow HouseSpring 2025 - TBD   
    Beaver IslandSpring 2025 - TBD   
    Beddow  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Bennett Track11/4/24   
    BioScience10/14/2410/16/24  
    Bovee University Center10/14/2410/15/24  
    Brooks11/4/24   
    Campbell  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Carey  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Carey Food  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Carlin Alumni House10/21/2410/24/24  
    CART  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Celani  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Chippewa Champions Center  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    CMED - ColonySpring 2025 - TBD   
    CMED - ConcentricSpring 2025 - TBD   
    CMED - HallmarkSpring 2025 - TBD   
    CMED - Main CampusSpring 2025 - TBD   
    CMED - Stone StreetSpring 2025 - TBD   
    Cobb  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Combined Services BuildingTBD   
    Dow11/11/24   
    EHS10/21/2410/24/24  
    Emmons  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Engineering & Technology11/25/24   
    Fabiano  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Finch Fieldhouse11/4/24   
    Foust10/21/2410/22/24  
    Graduate Apartments  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Grawn10/21/2410/23/24  
    Grounds South10/14/24   
    Health Professions11/18/24   
    Herrig  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    I & O - DetroitSpring 2025 - TBD   
    I & O - Grand RapidsSpring 2025 - TBD   
    I & O - LansingSpring 2025 - TBD   
    I & O - NorthSpring 2025 - TBD   
    I & O - SaginawSpring 2025 - TBD   
    I & O - SouthfieldSpring 2025 - TBD   
    I & O - Traverse City Spring 2025 - TBD   
    I & O - TroySpring 2025 - TBD   
    Indoor Athletic Complex  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Intramural Field  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Kelly Shorts Stadium  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Kesseler  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Kulhavi  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Margo Jonker Stadium11/4/24   
    McGuirk Arena11/11/24   
    Merrill  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Merrill Food  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Michigan Special Olympics10/21/2410/24/24  
    Moore/Bush Theater11/4/24   
    Motorpool10/14/24   
    Music10/28/24   
    North Art Studio10/21/2410/23/24  
    Park Library11/11/24   
    Pearce10/21/2410/22/24  
    Power House (CEF)

    TBD

    		   
    Powers10/14/2410/15/24  
    Public Broadcasting10/28/24   
    Research Lab  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Ronan10/14/2410/16/24  
    Rose/Ryan11/4/24   
    Rowe10/21/2410/24/24  
    Satellite Energy Facility  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Saxe  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Sloan11/4/24   
    Smith  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Student Activity Center11/4/24   
    Sweeney  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Theunissen Stadium  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Thorpe  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Traverse City Connect  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Troutman  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    UC - Art Gallery10/14/2410/15/24  
    Warriner10/28/24   
    West  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Wheeler  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Wightman10/21/2410/23/24  
    Woldt  Circular green icon with a white check mark in the center indicating that work has been completed. 
    Woldt Dining