Buildings Network Hardware Refresh
The project’s goal is to carry out a comprehensive network refresh at SLAC, replacing existing switches and WiFi access points across the Lab with updated hardware to support expanding needs.
How a network hardware refresh benefits the lab
- Enhance IT security
- Continued vendor support for hardware and software
- Take advantage of new features and technologies
- Enhanced scalability
Three key factors guiding this project
- Ensuring safety
- Balancing workloads
- Minimizing disruptions to the Lab’s mission
The project encompasses approximately 71 switches and 145 access points (APs) distributed across 84 distinct buildings.
Project insights
The project’s primary objective is to perform a comprehensive network update by replacing a wide range of network equipment with updated hardware suitable for SLAC’s ever-increasing network requirements. This project includes replacing switches and WiFi access points in various buildings across the Lab.
The project team notifies building managers about the change dates and impact. The building managers share this information with the building occupants.
- Switch replacement: Wi-Fi connectivity, including SLAC, SLAC-VISITOR, and eduroam, will experience downtime for approximately 15 minutes during this maintenance. Each wired connection downtime will be brief and should be less than 5 minutes.
- Access point (AP) replacement: During the replacement period, all Wi-Fi networks, including SLAC, SLAC-VISITOR, and eduroam within the building, might experience brief downtime for approximately 15-20 minutes. This change will not affect an ethernet (wired) network connection.
- Assess and map idle ports: Identify and plan the transition of unused ports to the replacement switch.
- Select equipment: Choose the appropriate switch or Access Point (AP) model based on specific requirements.
- Prepare replacement switch: Configure and ready the new switch for deployment.
- Secure approvals and permissions: Obtain Pre-Job Briefing (PJB) and Job Safety Assessment (JSA) approvals, along with building manager clearance.
- Address special requirements: Manage unique challenges such as corner-case scenarios, ordering custom brackets or Power Distribution Units (PDUs).
- Schedule notification: Determine and announce the timing for the switch replacement.
- Engage building managers: Inform building managers of the changes and potential impacts, who will then notify the occupants.
- Pre-stage new switch: Advance placement of the replacement switch in the designated building.
- Network transition: Minimally disruptively transfer network connections to the new switch, including updating jumper cables in network closets.
- Testing and troubleshooting: Perform comprehensive testing and troubleshoot any emerging issues.
SLAC IT Teams | Responsibilities |
---|---|
Network Engineers | Develop the replacement plan and select new equipment models. Configure the new equipment. |
Network Operations | Port assessment, Port mapping & replacement. |
Project Management | Project planning & updates, communication with the SLAC community. |
Service Desk | Assist users who encounter issues during and after each replacement. |
Project updates
Work in progress · Apr 22, 2024
215 devices across 84 buildings
News Article · Nov 30, 2023
Buildings Network Hardware Refresh project underway
A vital SLAC IT initiative to enhance the performance and reliability of the SLAC network is underway via the Buildings Network Hardware Refresh project, which aims to modernize the crucial components of SLAC’s network infrastructure.
SLAC Today article
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CompleteFY23 Q4 – FY24 Q1
Technical planning
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CompleteFY23 Q4 – FY24 Q1
Hardware procurement
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In progressFY24 Q1 – FY25 Q2
Communication with the stakeholders
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In progress · on trackFY24 Q2 – FY25 Q2
Implementation