Network 2000
when how
What is it?
Network 2000 is an upgrade of Geneseo’s network Infrastructure from an aging FDDI backbone
to a state-of-the-art Gigabit-Ethernet backbone. 3Com manufactures the hardware that CIT has
purchased for this upgrade. The new core device, called the Core Builder 9000, will replace the
campus’ six Digital Equipment Corporation Routers, one old 3Com LanPlex 2500, and one small
3Com Core Builder 3500. The second part of the upgrade includes plans to install new hardware
in all the network closets across campus. 3Com Super Stack 3300s are being installed to bridge
between the new core hardware in the machine room and the legacy network hardware in the
closets. Very little hardware is being replaced by the SS3300s; the 3300s will be supplementing
the hardware already present in the closets.
Why are we doing it?
There are several very real needs, as well as some perks, which provide the impetus for the
Network 2000 upgrade. First and foremost, several of the buildings around campus are on the
verge of running out of IP addresses. Milne Library, Greene Science Building, Erwin, and nearly
all of ResNet can no longer accommodate all their computers. Next, the 10-Megabit/second
speed that currently serves nearly all the buildings on campus is no longer adequate. Today,
Milne Library, South Hall, Greene, Bailey, and Erwin all enjoy 100-Megabit/second speeds. The
rest of campus needs to receive this same level of service. Finally, with the recent press on
roaming users, both of LapTaps and Wireless cards, we would like to provide anything we can to
simplify the difficulties of roaming from one location to another. Network 2000 addresses these
needs. Finally, SUNY Geneseo has always had great pride in its passion to remain on the cutting
edge of technology. This upgrade does just that.
Who is affected and Where will changes need to be made?
Many changes will take place in the machine room. All the old routers will be taken out of
service, as well as the LanPlex 2500 and Core Builder 3500. Changes will be made in all the
wiring closets. Fiber-optic jumpers will be removed, and new ones will be installed, connecting
the Core Builder 9000 to the new 3Com SS3300s. CIT’s goal is to impact each building only as
much as necessary.
Some computers will be affected. Others will not. This will vary based on the building, if their
AppleTalk Net Number has changed, and whether or not they suffer from an IP address space
issue. There will be minor network changes in most of South Hall (Including the Machine Room
and Dial-In), Sturges, Welles, Bailey, Brodie, Blake B, Newton, the College Union, the CAS
network, and the Dorm Access network. The routing function of the networks in these buildings
will be moved to the CB9000, and the new SS3300s will be connected in the wiring closets. IP
Addresses will not change in these networks, and as often as possible, Macintosh users should
not need to re-choose their printers or re-map their drives. Zone names will not change in any of
these buildings. There should be no impact beyond the downtime necessary to “move” networks
from the old hardware to the new hardware and to connect the new hardware in the closets in
these buildings.
The Fraser and Milne Libraries, the Heating Plant, the President’s House, the Alumni Field
House, the Roemer House, the Print Shop, Blake A (Career Services) Blake C, Lauderdale,
Schrader, Erwin, Holcomb, both Clark buildings, Greene, and ResNet will all be affected more
strongly. Zone names and IP addresses will be changing in many of these buildings. Win9x
machines will need to run “winipcfg” to release and renew, and then reboot. Macintoshes will
need to reboot, and then re-choose their printers. Computers with static IP addresses will be
assigned new addresses, and DNS will be adjusted to match the new addresses.