FY25 Network Connectivity Modernization Achievements
FY25 Network Upgrades
In FY25, Technology Solutions continued its multi-year effort to enhance network performance and reliability across the UIC campus through the Network Connectivity Modernization initiative. All wired connections were upgraded from 100MB to 1G, providing clients with a substantial increase in data packet transfer speed at each data jack. FY25 marked a significant milestone with the completion of several major building upgrades and the integration of a brand-new facility into the campus network.
Modernization Investment Success
Thanks to the recent campus investment in modernizing our network infrastructure, the Technology Solutions Infrastructure teams have significantly improved overall network resiliency. This has positioned the campus to meet future demands for research, teaching, and learning in various buildings.
| Director, Network Engineering & Infrastructure
Completed Building Modernizations
Education, Theatre, Music, and Social Work (ETMSW)
- Network modernization work in the Education, Theatre, Music, and Social Work building resulted in a 43 percent increase in wireless coverage and the upgrade of 1,224 data jacks. The project required 2,614 hours of work to improve reliability, capacity, and overall network performance.
Science and Engineering Laboratories West (SELW)
- Science and Engineering Laboratories West underwent significant network modernization, delivering a 60 percent increase in wireless coverage and upgrades to 1,200 data jacks. A total of 2,200 hours were invested to enhance connectivity for teaching and research activities.
College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs / Art and Education Hall (CUPPA/AEH)
- Technology Solutions completed major network improvements in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs and Art and Education Hall, increasing wireless capacity by 136 percent. The project included upgrading 910 data jacks and required 1,100 hours of effort.
Biological Resources Laboratory (BRL)
- Network upgrades in the Biological Resources Laboratory produced a 900 percent increase in wireless coverage. The project also modernized 288 data jacks and involved 1,264 hours of work to support advanced research needs.
College of Pharmacy (COP)
- The College of Pharmacy received network modernization upgrades resulting in a 43 percent increase in wireless coverage. The effort included upgrading 1,224 data jacks and required 2,614 hours to strengthen network performance across the building.
New Construction: CDRLC
A highlight of FY25 was the design, deployment and implementation of network services in the Clinical Data Research and Learning Center (CDRLC), a brand-new addition to the UIC campus. The project included the installation of 206 access points, 2,160 data jacks, and approximately 300 hours of configuration and deployment work to bring the building online.
Infrastructure Upgrades
We have built a fast, strong and resilient network from the ground up, in the newly-built CDRLC building. These critical upgrades have enabled the implementation of a modern, faster, and more reliable network across key buildings. We are providing a much needed foundation for advanced research and enhanced educational experiences.
| Director, Network Engineering & Infrastructure
Summer Housing Network Expansion
In addition to academic and research buildings, the summer of FY25 brought major improvements to student housing facilities with the expansion of wireless, and upgrade of wired network infrastructure. Improvements include:
Paulina Street Residence Hall (PSRH)
- Technology Solutions completed a full upgrade of the wired and wireless network infrastructure in Paulina Street Residence Hall. These enhancements significantly improved connectivity, capacity, and reliability for residents.
Student Residence Commons North (SRCN)
- Student Residence Commons North received comprehensive wired and wireless network upgrades across the building. The improvements ensure faster speeds and more consistent service to support student living and learning needs.
Student Residence Commons South (SRCS)
- A full wired and wireless network upgrade was completed in Student Residence Commons South. The project modernized the building’s infrastructure to better support increased device usage and performance demands.
Single Student Residence (SSR)
- Technology Solutions completed the second and final year of a two-year wired and wireless network overhaul in Single Student Residence, a 16-floor residence hall. The upgrades support both student residents and Illinois Medical District occupants located on the lower five floors.
Thomas Beckham Hall (TBH)
- Thomas Beckham Hall underwent a complete wireless network refresh during the summer. The upgrade improved coverage, reliability, and overall performance throughout the residence hall.
Continued Progress
These efforts represent another strong year in UIC’s five-year network modernization journey. With 20 buildings fully upgraded since the start of the initiative, UIC continues to build a faster, more reliable, and future-ready network infrastructure for students, faculty, and staff.