The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is modernizing the College's information technology network infrastructure. One huge part of this modernization effort involved OIT staff physically installing over 408 new Juniper network switches, to replace outdated network switches in over 90 data closets collegewide. These newly installed switches represent the backbone of the College's enhanced network infrastructure. The new switches increase desktop speeds and, moving forward, will allow for additional advanced networking technologies.

Installing the network switches was the first step. We are now beginning the conversion from the old network switches to the new switches, which will include updating IP addresses. This phase of the project will be implemented in several stages. The first stage includes the academic buildings on the Rockville Campus. This work will occur during spring break, from March 18 through March 21. The Rockville Campus building conversion schedule is noted below:

<ul> <li>March 18: Macklin Tower (MT), Technical Center (TC)</li>
<li>March 19: Humanities (HU), Science West (SW)</li>
<li>March 20: Campus Center (CC), Computer Science (CS)</li>
<li>March 21: Art (AR), Counseling and Advising (CB), Gudelsky (GU), Music (MU), Performing Arts Center (PA), Theatre Arts (TA)</li></ul>

During this timeframe, employees working in these buildings should expect intermittent connectivity related issues and/or outages when using networked devices (PCs, printers, scanners, etc.). Service interruptions may last for a few hours, or they may last a day. OIT staff will constantly monitor the network for issues. Access to the Internet via wireless devices (iPads, laptops, etc.) will not be affected.

In the months ahead, similar work will happen at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, the Germantown Campus, at all administrative buildings, at Workforce Development & Continuing Education locations, and on any remaining systems that require special considerations. We expect to complete all project-related work before the fall 2013 semester.

This project is essential to modernizing and enhancing our information technology network infrastructure. We ask for your patience during this effort. Please contact the IT Service Desk at 240-567-7222 (x7-7222) or at itservicedesk@montgomerycollege.edu with any questions or if you require further information.

Please do not reply to this broadcast, as this mailbox is not monitored. Thank you.

IT Communications
The Office of Information Technology
240-567-7222