UIC Technology Solutions Completes Major Network Upgrade in CUPPAH/AEH
Introduction
In under six months, Technology Solutions successfully completed a full network infrastructure and hardware upgrade in The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) Hall and Art and Exhibition Halls (AEH), marking a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity for students, faculty, researchers, and staff.
This ambitious project was made possible through the dedication of UIC Tech Solutions engineers, technicians, leadership, and partners. From construction crews to network engineers, many played a vital role in ensuring the upgrade was a success. Special thanks also go to the local IT teams in CUPPAH/AEH for their coordination and support, and to the building occupants for their patience throughout the process. A gesture of appreciation—a pizza lunch for the onsite electricians—highlighted the spirit of collaboration that made this project possible.
Project Highlights
- 1,495 hours of technical work were invested to complete the upgrade.
- 209 wireless access points (132 new, 77 upgraded) now deliver full-building Wi-Fi coverage with speeds up to 5 gigabits, a 63% increase in coverage.
- 4 new switches and 5 chassis were deployed to support wired and wireless connectivity.
- 800+ wired data jacks were upgraded from 100 megabits to 1 gigabit, offering a 10x speed increase.
- 433 wired jacks were re-terminated in closets and workstations to ensure reliable gigabit connectivity.
- 35+ new data drops eliminated the need for mini switches, expanding direct connections.
- Dedicated power was added to support new chassis hardware in 5 network closets.
- Fiber risers were upgraded from 1 gigabit to 10 gigabits, providing a 10x bandwidth improvement.
Q1
The meticulous work that the installation team put into our project to ensure we were covering every aspect of network modernization, is phenomenal. Thank you, Technology Solutions Infrastructure Teams, for seeing this project to its full completion, and a heartfelt thank you to the CUPPAH/AEH team who went out of their way to show their appreciation to the Tech Solutions team. It is very much appreciated!
| Director, Network Engineering & Infrastructure
What This Means for CUPPAH/AEH
These upgrades bring CUPPAH/AEH to the forefront of UIC’s networking capabilities. Students, faculty, and researchers can now benefit from:
- Faster and more reliable Wi-Fi across the entire building.
- Stable, high-speed wired connectivity in offices and labs.
- The ability to support more users and higher data demands for academic and research needs.
This achievement highlights the commitment of UIC Technology Solutions to providing cutting-edge infrastructure that empowers innovation, research, and collaboration across campus.
About CUPPA
The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs is a nationally recognized innovator in education, research, and engagement in support of the nation’s cities and metropolitan areas. Our adherence to our unique blend of basic research, university-community engagement, policy analysis, and profession-based graduate programs attracts the best and brightest students and reinforces the connections between our research centers and our academic programs.