Network Upgrade Programme – Future Proofing Client Connectivity
HEAnet has recently launched an extensive Network Upgrade Programme, encompassing seven projects that focus on enhancing the HEAnet core & distribution network to meet HEAnet Clients’ needs for at least the next five years. The programme extends across our client ‘Point of Presence’ (PoP) locations, our Datacentres, and incorporates a new service provisioning system, which is essential for the provisioning of client services.
The Network Upgrade Programme has been made possible by over €3.5 million in funding from the Department of Education. The main benefits of the program are as follows:
- Ensure that Irish education and research will continue to have access to a world– class network, which will stay ahead of client needs.
- Extend the lifetime of the existing backbone network following the earlier than expected end-of-life announcements by Juniper Networks of key network components.
- Transition of 100 Gb/s backbone optical links from end-of-life Juniper equipment to new Adtran 100Gb/s equipment.
- Replace existing end– of– life services provisioning system with a new Network Service Provisioning System which includes new functionality to support operational and business support requirements.
- Replace the existing datacentre services network with a new solution due to Arista Networks equipment end-of-life announcements for the existing network switches and to ensure alignment with HEAnet’s overall Datacentre Strategy for the future.
The process of executing changes on this scale requires substantial effort from planning and procurement to seamless implementation. This process is initiated after HEAnet Board approval, and successful capital funding submitted to the Department of Education. This programme is a priority for HEAnet in 2024, involving collaboration across multiple teams and represents a key company objective.
A transition of this magnitude on a live network requires careful planning and consideration to minimise any potential disruption to HEAnet Clients. Thanks to the highly resilient nature of our network and PoP architectures, combined with detailed planning, it is expected that the upgrades will be accomplished with minimal impact. Close communication and planning with clients for all work will be a major priority for the project teams, and a critical factor for success. This investment will help future– proof our core networks for at least five years and be a major benefit for the HEAnet Client Community.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact noc@heanet.ie
