Page 18 - 2021 OIT Progress Report

INFRASTRUCTURE
NETWORK REFRESH & UPGRADES
The past year brought many foundational changes to the SMU network to accommodate both current and future demands. This
includes the continuation of upgrading our network core to accommodate bandwidth of
100 Gigabits per second (Gbps), allowing systems and services across the University even greater connectivity for intensive processing. Network routers, switches, and wireless access points have also been refreshed to provide better reliability, improved range, and throughput for wireless devices. Executive Director of Infrastructure David Nguyen elaborated,
smartphones to tweet, chat, send photos and videos, and more. This puts a giant strain on the local cellular network and SMU’s wireless network each time the stadium lights shine. AT&T installed new equipment to help bolster the speed and reliability of the cellular network during peak times at Ford Stadium.
To better support researchers involved in developing or deploying various Internet- of-Things (IoT) devices, a new network was established on campus. These devices typically
“The success of this team
is dependent on the entire organization—everyone pulling in the same direction was the key to overcoming the challenges of the last year.”
Everyone pulling in the same direction was the key to overcoming the challenges of the last year.
have limited configuration options for wireless connection. Therefore, researchers needed
a more flexible solution. With this new network, researchers can quickly connect and manage their devices and collect data through a centralized interface.
Significant investments continue
The University Data Center
(UDC) received major electrical
improvements this past year.
With the original design, critical maintenance activities to the data center power feeds required a total outage of our data center. To eliminate that disruption to services, redundant systems were installed and tested. In the future, all electrical maintenance activities can be performed without impacting operations at the UDC.
to be made in the support and maintenance of our high-performance computing
(HPC) environment. Many components were replaced, including various Mellanox switches that provide some of the best HPC networking speeds available. The team implemented a new storage area which provides long term data storage on ManeFrame II. They also introduced the Robinhood policy engine platform which works in conjunction with the new storage to provide better file system management. Work
is currently underway to identify the core components of the next iteration of ManeFrame III, to be implemented in the near future.
A strong network backbone is essential from the classroom to the data center, and even to the gridiron. During SMU Mustang football game days, Gerald J. Ford Stadium is packed with fans. This, of course, means fans using their
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