Network 21 Update

On March 3, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Robert Grey made a final decision regarding Network 21 rates. Grey accepted the Network 21 Budget & Policy Oversight Committee's re-commendation to implement a multi-part rate structure to fund Network 21's operation and maintenance costs. The full text of the Network 21 Budget & Policy Oversight Committee's report and Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Robert Grey's response are on the Web at http://net21.ucdavis.edu/

Cutover Strategy

Network Administrators were brought up to date on the progress of the Network 21 cutover on Thursday, April 3, at a presentation in 198 Wellman. Doug Hartline, executive director of the Network 21 project, briefed the group on the status of the project, announced the availability of the TAG Team (Technical Assistance Group) through the Temp Pool, and answered questions. The campus cutover strategy outlined at the February 7 Network Administrator Briefing is currently on schedule. Phase 1 of cutover is in progress, with Information Technology assuming responsibility for project management and installation of 3Com electronics. The scope of the electronics portion of the project is now finalized. Departments should submit any changes or updates through the regular Communications Resources service order process.

The following is a review of the timetable for the phases of the campus cutover:

1. In Phase 1, buildings and routers connected to the existing campus network will be cut over to Network 21's fiber optic backbone by May 15. This will produce a more robust network backbone with the advantages of increased speeds (switched 10 or 100 MB/second). Connectivity will be provided to those users requiring immediate access to DaFIS by July 1. The building schedule for Phase 1 will be posted on the Web by mid-April at http://net21.ucdavis.edu/

2. In Phase 2, unconnected users will be connected. This phase of the cutover will be completed in two stages. First, users in buildings not connected to the existing campus network, but covered by Network 21, will be connected to the fiber optic backbone by July 1. Second, unconnected users in buildings that are connected to the existing campus network will be connected to the fiber optic backbone on a rolling schedule, by October 15. Users who require immediate access to DaFIS will be connected by July 1.

   The building schedule for Phase 2 will be posted on the Web by mid-May at http://net21.ucdavis.edu/

3. In Phase 3, the campus will cut over to Network 21's ATM electronics, and departmental networks will be cut over to the Network 21 infrastructure. Expected completion date for this phase of the project continues to be summer of 1998.

The Network 21 TAG Team is a group of recharge technicians that can be hired to perform standard desktop hardware and software changes required for the phases of Network 21 implementation. TAG Team technicians can help departments with desktop networking, including installation of 10BASE-T transceivers, installation and configuration of NICs (Network Interface Cards), configuration of control panels for networking, and other technical tasks. TAG Team technicians are available through the UC Davis Temporary Employment Pool. For rates, services, and contact information, see http://net21.ucdavis.edu/TEPCRS.htm

If you have questions about Network 21, send e-mail to net21info@ucdavis.edu.