Update: The campus network upgrade scheduled for July 26-29 did not go as planned. As a result, a new attempt to complete the upgrade is scheduled for October. We appreciate your patience and will provide further updates as the revised schedule approaches.
Starting on Friday, July 26, 2024, and lasting through the weekend until Monday, July 29, 2024, UNCG will undergo a significant upgrade of its campus core networking equipment. This crucial infrastructure update, which forms the backbone of campus connectivity, is expected to cause intermittent or complete outages affecting various services, including:
- Internet access
- Phone services
- Remote access
- Web services
- Hosting services
Why This Upgrade Matters
Future-proofing:
The core network infrastructure is being replaced as it nears the end of its useful life. This upgrade ensures network reliability and prepares the campus for future technological advancements.
Consolidation:
By unifying network platforms, the campus will acheive a more sustainable and efficient ecosystem. This improvement will enhance network performance and support emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and High-Performance Research Computing.
Efficiency and Cost Saving:
Updating the data center to accommodate the shift towards cloud-based services allows for the continued support of essential on-campus services while reducing operational costs.
What to Expect
The migration process is anticipated to take 12-18 hours, with additional time allocated to:
- Address unforeseen issues.
- Revert the migration if necessary.
Emergency services lines are expected to remain available throughout the upgrade. Once completed, the changes will be transparent to users, with no noticeable differences in everyday use.
This upgrade represents one of the most significant transformations of UNCG’s network since its inception. It highlights the community’s commitment to embracing technological progress to support the university’s mission of inclusivity, collaboration, and responsiveness.
The university appreciates your understanding and cooperation as it works to enhance campus connectivity and digital capabilities.