Network Planning Task Force (NPTF)

Progress and Updates 7.16.07

Next Generation PennNet

• Dental NAP completed
• Gigabit connections to 50 buildings
• 50% of closet electronics support gigabit desktop Ethernet
• 40% ports with network redundancy
• Working on NAP to Building feeds to support more
• Primary Feeds in Western Area (Super Block) in Progress
• Installing Pathway in 5-10 Key Locations on Campus
• Aggressive goal of redundant gig building connectivity by July 2009
• Online database of upcoming upgrades and schedules
  • http://www.upenn.edu/computing/pennnet/maintschedule.html

Scan and Block

• Lockdown didn’t meet our needs and so we explored a new round of alternatives
• Finalists: NetReg w/MBSA (open source) and Impulse Point
• Will not have full deployment but will be piloting for Fall '07

Public Safety

• All garage emergency phones upgraded to self reporting, reducing operations costs and increasing campus safety
• Targeting building exterior E-Phones next for upgrade to SMART Phone technology

Unified Communications

• VoIP (PennNet Phone)
  • The pilot is over. VoIP general availability started 7.16.07
  • 1,100 PennNet Phones in production
  • 80 LSPs involved
  • LSPs can move phones between VoIP jacks and update phone location information using PPS
  • Ring Group support added (up to 4 phones)
  • ITSP Connection is installed and currently being tested
  • Number Porting Planned for Fall Time frame
  • We have three gateways for triple redundancy and a 50% increase in calling capacity
    
• Voicemail
  • Piloting new server with integrated message access (phone or email)
  • Targeting Fall ‘07 for cutting over to new IP-based voicemail with all voicemail users on one system
    
• IM
  • Piloting new secure Instant Messaging (IM) service
    • Identity Assurance: Parties logged into this new Penn service have the assurance of PennKey authentication and the associated use of familiar PennNames, which allows users to be easily and reliably identified
    • Controlled data path: Instant messages move only between your IM clients and the locally operated IM servers i.e. the data associated with IM for two Penn users need never be stored and handled by a third party server
    • Encrypted communications: All data, not merely the password, is encrypted

Wireless

• Automated monitoring and Rogue AP (Access Points)detection has been enabled
• Currently working on centralized controller solution for AP Management (ease of deployment and configuration management)
• Using new WiFi spectrum analyzer to test and troubleshoot and detect various levels of interference on WiFi networks
• Enabled both 802.1x and web intercept in same AP allowing for ease of use while roaming
• Goal is to have only one authentication approach

EarthLink

• Negotiated a discount program for university faculty, staff and students at a reduced rate of $18.50 per month for the local Philadelphia wireless network through Earthlink
• Looking at alternatives for Penn’s on-campus outdoor wireless

Customer Service

• Use of Remedy for Voice and Video maintenance tickets
• Service Order Integration Project
  • A first generation of the online shopping cart application will be available for review and testing during the month of August, and the project team will demo the screens for a small group of customers and request feedback
  • During the spring 08 semester, those placing service orders will be offered training and invited to start using the new system. Back office staff will be available by phone and email to assist first time users

CALEA

• Worked with OGC and decided not to file saving over $300k

MAGPI

• Upgraded to 10 gig interface for our Internet2 connection
• Negotiated Philadelphia connection instead of NYC, saving MAGPI $180k/year
• MAGPI operations reduced CSF by $300k in FY ’07

Internet Service

• Switched ISP vendors (Qwest to Level3) for ISP service, doubling bandwidth at no additional costs

Next Generation Email

• Both Exchange and Pobox are now available
• Exchange launched in July ’07 with PDA integration
• Pobox also offers PDA integration (push sync) now
• upenn.edu addressing available for both systems
  • mikep@upenn.edu instead of mikep@isc.upenn.edu

Video Productions

• Podcasting – Producing an average of 23 new episodes a month and are hosting a average of 54 episodes per month on an on-going basis.
• Itunes University – PVN continues to work with "Penn on iTunes U" adopters to get Schools' and Departmental content on the iTunes U site.
• LiveEarth Concert – 22 hour live event distributed throughout the US and abroad using advanced audio, video and networking technology, efficiently distributing extremely high quality audio and video over very great distances. Demonstrates that sustained, high quality multimedia distribution over IP networks is very practical and achievable, and might lend itself to a range of academic collaboration and research purposes.