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Providing Network and Telephone Connectivity

Technology at SSU’s Core

ITS understands the importance of a Healthy IT, so that when departments need for infrastructure to be extended into their area for expanded data and phone connectivity, application computing development or their needs to be additional dedicated bandwidth, IT happens. For ITS, this means taking the best care of technology the end user doesn't necessarily see or notice. SSU’s state of the art network means everything to ITS when it comes to delivering outstanding technology services on a consistent basis, with capacity for growth on demand.

SSU’s network architecture starts with a vast array of single-mode and multi-mode fiber that stretches thru underground pathways to all campus and residential buildings. A significant amount of planning goes into extending the campus wiring fabric, based on the latest industry standards, when buildings are constructed and renovated. It terminates in the two core data centers residing in Massie and Kricker Hall, which exceed all standards for continuous operations.

From here, this is when SSU IT gets in tip-top shape. At SSU's IT Core is Cisco's Unified Compute System (UCS) technology, Nexus switching, ASA firewalls, the latest layer 3 switching/routers and fabric extender modules (FEX), for a fully-redundant 10 Gigabit network on campus.

Add to this Cisco's MDS storage area network (SAN) switches and a scalable SAN implementation for departmental storage of all network resources, and be rest assured that Shawnee State’s IT infrastructure will pass every check-up on its schedule. This means that ITS services can run as fast as SSU’s Mission needs IT to, and when departments need more capacity, IT is there.

When it comes to wireless connectivity on the SSU network, ITS manages over 300 Cisco Access Points (APs) on campus, and 75 APs in the residential units. These devices operate on the 802.11n access protocol, in conjunction with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for authentication policy.

Unified Communications

When it comes to the converging technology of voice and data, ITS deploys Cisco’s Unified Collaboration (UC) platform for its integration of real-time communication services such as instant messaging (chat), presence information, IP telephony, video conferencing, data sharing and call control, with non-real-time communication services such as unified messaging (integrated voicemail, e-mail, SMS and fax). UC is a set of products that provides a consistent unified user-interface and user-experience across multiple devices and media-types. ITS is on the edge of emerging technologies when it comes to delivering services such as Webex hosting and video teleconferencing to campus departments and staff.

When your department is ready to utilize the latest UC technology on the market in support of operations, communications and collaboration, do not hesitate to contact ITS to better understand how these technologies can help, and how ITS can deliver the level of service using the Cisco Collaboration Suite of products, you need. The catalog below includes the Unified Communications services available to the campus.

Application Computing

ITS makes it a priority to effectively and efficiently manage its base computing environment, comprised of server hardware, operating systems, database managements systems and software applications. IT comes together in core data centers, and communications rooms in each building to provide infrastructure as a service on campus. ITS virtualizes nearly all of its application technology to maximize scalability, reliability and management of all application services. We continuously manage all of these technologies in SSU’s base computing environment, so that when academic and administrative departments require new technology, it’s a matter of ITS finding the right technology place for integration and operation, at the right time. The catalog below depicts the different technologies that comprise the SSU’s network architecture.

Requesting Network Connectivity – Network and Telephone

Departments needing to add data and/or ports in offices and common areas should make a request to the ITS Help Desk communicating the scope of effort required. ITS networking staff will assess the magnitude of the scoped effort and will follow-up with the requesting department to communicate the resources required to complete the effort. Efforts of significant magnitude may require that external contractors and SSU Facilities be involved to complete the work. In these instances, additional charges will be assessed to the department based on direct cost for materials and labor needed. ITS will work with these entities to understand the overall effort and total costs involved, and communicate back to the department for funding and approval to proceed. ITS will oversee all infrastructure-related projects to ensure that standards are being adhered to, to resolve issues and to ensure completion to satisfaction.

Technology Charged to Departments

Technology at Shawnee State is encapsulated within a centralized IT service environment, with the exception of those within the Office of Instructional Technologies which manages classroom and campus video and audio services, as well as the account management services specific to SSU’s online Learning Management System (LMS). Also, the Department of Facilities installs a number of technologies for Life and Safety systems campus-wide and is funded to maintain these technologies. This means that ITS is funded to purchase and maintain the technologies required in SSU’s base computing environment.

Departments are responsible for funding technology in the following instances:

  • Computers for departmental employees
  • Phones for departmental employees
  • Local line and long distance charges for departmental employees
  • Department-specific software utilized
  • Department-specific hardware such as fax machines, printers and copiers
  • Phone and video access in department-specific conference rooms
  • Online technology services such as department-specific webinars and training

Departments may responsible for funding technology in the following instances, based on customized needs and scope of effort:

  • Physical network connectivity (phone and/or data ports) added to existing areas
  • Department-specific data storage and/or storage devices
  • Shared technology services such as group-specific webinars and training
  • Data integration services requiring customized modules
  • Department-specific hardware or software licenses
  • Customized computer hardware

ITS will always provide the department with a scope of effort and a comprehensive cost estimate before proceeding with a technology installation, for approval. Contact the ITS Help Desk for more information, if needed.