Managing Information Technology @ UT
November 13-14, 2008
Networking, Communications, and Infrastructure
William Green (green@mail.utexas.edu)
Overview
Managing Information Technology @ UT
• Introduction
• What might we do for you?
• Areas
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Remote services (OTS)
Networking
Voice services
Campus building security systems
Multimedia
Video
Infrastructure
Central IT
Managing Information Technology @ UT
Federated IT
Managing Information Technology @ UT
•
Not all networking and infrastructure is
centralized
•
•
Some departments manage departmental
wired local area networks
A few manage departmental phone
switches
What might we do for you?
Managing Information Technology @ UT
• Want more network ports/wireless?
• Need a new phone or feature (ex:
SmartVoice)?
• Changing your building access/security
system?
• Remodeling or moving and want your
services to go with you?
• Need multimedia support for an event?
tn@its.utexas.edu
OTS
Managing Information Technology @ UT
• Provide Wide Area Telecommunications
Services (ITS-Networking partnership)
– The University of Texas System Network (UTSN)
– Texas Higher Education Network (THEnet)
– Greater Austin Area Telecommunication Network
(GAATN)
– Lonestar Education and Research Network
(LEARN)
Most people don’t interact with OTS
Networking and Infrastructure
Managing Information Technology @ UT
• Networking
– UTnet (107,000+ wired access points)
– Wireless (~3,000 WAPs)/Public Network Access (PNA)
– Residence hall network (Resnet)
• Campus telephone
– Dial tone and long distance(17,000 users)
– Voice mail
– Telephone Directory
• Video
– Campus cable TV
– Satellite programming
– Video conferencing
– Webcasts and streaming media
• Campus/building security systems
– Article protection alarms
– Electronic door access (proximity cards)
Networking
Managing Information Technology @ UT
• Critical Services:
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Campus backbone
Departmental networks
Network services (DNS etc.)
External connectivity
• Limited Internet bandwidth but unlimited campus
bandwidth
• Off-campus access via VPN
• Peering with Time Warner Cable's Road Runner service,
Bestline Communications, and Apogee Telecom to
provide faster service to UTnet for off-campus users in the
local Austin area
• Reliable, stable, high performance 24 X 7 X
365
Department Networks
Managing Information Technology @ UT
• Most departments have Technical Support
Coordinators (TSC) who work with
Networking.
• Who is your TSC? Ask your admin support
staff or email us.
• If you are a TSC, we provide an extensive
toolset to help manage the network
• Who pays? Departments pay for equipment
used in their buildings. Networking designs,
installs, and operates in most cases.
networking@its.utexas.edu
Utilities for TSCs
Managing Information Technology @ UT
Public Network Access
Managing Information Technology @ UT
• All wireless and some wired ports in
public locations (libraries/lounges) are
operated by Networking
• Bandwidth limitation per user
• Options to purchase additional individual
or project PNA bandwidth
• TSCs may create guest accounts (3rd
party option this spring)
Networking Projects
Managing Information Technology @ UT
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3rd Party Wireless System
Firewall Support Program
Network Operations Manual
Bandwidth Awareness Tools
Voice Services
Managing Information Technology @ UT
• Critical Services:
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Campus-wide telephone system
Long distance services
Voice mail
Automated Attendant services
Facilities assignment and record keeping (including
work order processing)
• Department business/admin staff typically
interact with ITS/Admin.
• Departments place work orders and are billed
yearly for recurring services.
tn@its.utexas.edu
SmartVoice
Managing Information Technology @ UT
• Voice mail message forwarding to your e-mail
inbox
• Message management via phone, pager,
PDA, desktop client or a Web browser (using
your UT EID and password)
• Personalized greetings based on time of day
or caller phone number
• Call forwarding to pagers and cell phones
• Multiple phone numbers tied to one
SmartVoice mailbox
• With SmartVoice you can retrieve your
messages via telephone, email, or by using
desktop client software or the Web interface
Distributed Antenna System
Managing Information Technology @ UT
● Visually unobtrusive hardware, no major
construction
● Supports all wireless services/operators
● Option to and/or complements traditional cell
sites
● Optimal wireless coverage - including in-building
● Base station equipment can be kept out of sight
● Lower radiation levels than macrocell towers
● Improves infrastructure for new applications
Distributed Antenna System
Managing Information Technology @ UT
Video
Managing Information Technology @ UT
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Campus cable TV
Satellite programming
Videoconferencing
Webcasts & streaming media
• Departments place work orders and are
billed for the associated costs for other
services (some recurring – CATV)
tn@its.utexas.edu
Campus Security Systems
Managing Information Technology @ UT
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Card Access Control
Fiber Optic Loop Property Protection
Intrusion Protection
Panic/Duress Buttons
Video Monitoring (closed-circuit TV)
• Departments place work orders and are billed for
services.
Over 10,000 alarm point active on campus
tn@its.utexas.edu
Building Access and Control (BACS)
Managing Information Technology @ UT
• Replaced alarm and door access system
(over 30 years old)
• Now replacing a 15 year old system
(Andover)
Engineering & Construction
Managing Information Technology @ UT

Planning & Design – communications & security
infrastructure designs and standards to support
construction, renovation and departmental projects
including:
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UT System Office of Facilities Planning and Construction
(OFPC)
UT Austin Project Management and Construction Services
(PMCS)
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Voice and Security Installation & Repair
Voice/Data Cabling
Outside Plant (fiber & copper)

Departments place work orders and are billed for
services. Costs are typically included in large project
estimates by OFPC and others.
UT Austin OFPC Capital Projects
Managing Information Technology @ UT
OFPC Capital Improvement Projects
$200,000,000
$180,000,000
$160,000,000
$140,000,000
$120,000,000
$100,000,000
$80,000,000
$60,000,000
$40,000,000
$20,000,000
$0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Year
Cabling Trends
Managing Information Technology @ UT
Number of cables per type
Key Points:
• Cable installation
workload follows
the ebbs/flows of
construction and
renovation
projects
• Voice cable
installations
decreased in 2005
and broke the
pattern
• Building access
control and
security work
orders are
increasing
6,000
4,880
[+21%]
5,000
4,489
[+13%]
4,000
3,986
[+24%]
4,023
3,227
[-34%]
3,000
1,943
[+19%]
2,000
1,635
789
[-59%]
1,000
68
0
Alarm
Data
Voice
FYE '01
210
[+208%]
FYE '02
348
[+66%]
FYE '03
1,668
[+53%]
594
[+71%]
FYE '04
1,193
[-28%]
381
[-36%]
FYE '05
BACS – An example of ITS working
together
Managing Information Technology @ UT
 Infrastructure
 Security Operations Center – Picture Perfect programming &
administration, policy development and administration
 Engineering & Construction – plan, design, evaluate new
technologies, cabling, installation, repair
 Networking – FACNET
 Voice Services – backup communications
 Data Center – redundant facilities for hosting servers
 Systems – redundant servers, server support
 User Services – desktop support
 Admin – project accounting, work order processing, purchasing
 ISO – security testing and review
Managing Information Technology @ UT
Questions?