The purpose of this project is to transition George Mason’s current network architecture to the next generation of network architecture in direct support of the University’s strategic goals by offering an expanded virtual classroom capability and improved research infrastructure platform to better retain and attract students and faculty, as well as improve the user experience by improving network capacity and performance for students, faculty, staff, and guests.
Background & Approach
George Mason’s core network is built on 10Gbps link technology, but the current industry trends are 100Gbps and 400Gbps link technologies.
George Mason invested in a new core to replace aging equipment, scale its core capacity, and take advantage of the efficiencies and features. Additionally, the new architecture and infrastructure will allow us to employ more automation and allow easier updates to network configuration.
Implementation
In-Scope
- Optical Transport
- Core Routing
- Edge Routing
Out-of-Scope
- New Access Layer
- Wi-Fi
Project Timeline
Target Completion
Summer 2025
| 2024 | 2025 | |||||||||
| Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | |
| Connect & Configure Routers/Switches | X | X | X | |||||||
| Core Router Deployment | X | X | X | |||||||
| Provider Edge Router Deployment | X | X | X | |||||||
| Work on Switches | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||
Phase I
After discussions with several network equipment vendors, ITS expressed interest in a handful of vendors. ITS developed a set of requirements and tested potential replacements for network equipment, avoiding vendor-proprietary technologies whenever possible.
- Site Survey. (Complete)
- Testing and configuration of different vendor solutions. (Complete)
- Security Risk Assessment. (Complete)
What to Expect
No impact is expected.
Phase II
ITS took delivery of equipment and worked with vendors and staff to install power and equipment.
- Equipment Delivery. (Complete)
- Install power. (Complete)
- Install Arista hardware side-by-side to Cisco hardware. (Complete)
- Connecting and configuring routers and switches in preparation for the cutover.
What to Expect
No impact is expected.
Phase III
ITS will deploy (cutover) the core routers, then the provider edge routers, then rebuild links, verify routing, forwarding, and reachability on switches. In a network, core routers connect to provider edge routers, which connect to switches.
- Core router deployment
- Provider edge router deployment
- Rebuild links, verify routing, forwarding, and reachability on switches.
What to Expect
Little to no impact is expected; however, if ITS encounters issues, there may be intermittent outages of the wired and Wi-Fi networks during the designated maintenance window. Most work will be done at night, early mornings, or on the weekend to minimize any possible impact. Cell service will not be impacted. The ResNet network will not be affected, unless otherwise noted in posted maintenance.
- All maintenance is posted at https://its.gmu.edu/maintenance/.
- Stay informed with the latest unexpected outages. Subscribe to receive ITS Alerts via email.
Phase IV
ITS will decommission and remove Cisco hardware.
What to Expect
No impact is expected.
Support
For assistance or questions, call 703-993-8870.
- All maintenance is posted at https://its.gmu.edu/maintenance/.
- Stay informed with the latest unexpected outages. Subscribe to receive ITS Alerts via email.