Network Port Policy
Associated Service:
Network Port Policy
To optimize our operations and services to support campus more efficiently, UITS has implemented a re-use policy regarding wired network ports.
The need for wired network connectivity has continued to decrease on campus as the demand for wireless networks has increased. Data show 52% of ports on campus have been inactive for 6 months or more. UITS will not automatically install new switches as needed to support new port requests, as it is an inefficient use of university finances and staff resources. The UITS port policy, implemented in January 2016, will lower power consumption, eliminate the need for additional underutilized switches, and avoid necessary future switch upgrades, with a projected cost savings of $1 million over three years.
- UITS will eliminate port activation charges, and activate ports as needed at no cost to units across campus. Fees will only be incurred if:
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- new cabling is needed to establish service.
- UITS does not currently provide services at the requested location.
- the new data ports service security cameras, card swipes, and utility controls monitoring units.
- Effective January 1, 2016, ports that have been inactive for more than 6 months will be considered available for re-use.
- All new port installations and switch upgrades will utilize existing inactive ports to the extent possible rather than installing new equipment by default.
- UITS will work with network managers to identify ports that are needed but not regularly utilized, as is in conference rooms, utility areas, etc. to ensure they are not re-used.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What about the jack install costs?
Yes, you will still need to pay for the costs of the wiring from the telcom room to your room but now the data port that will go on that jack will be free.
How much will a new 10MB, 100MB or Gig data port cost on an existing jack?
The cost is $0.00 for the install. Note 1: As long as we already have network presence in the telecom room that the jack goes to. Note 2: An Expedited install ahead of regular schedule will be charged an expedite fee of $40.20.
What do you mean by “ports inactive for 6 months will be considered available for re-use”?
We have found that over 50% of the data ports on campus have not been used for the past 6 months, some for well over a year. That means we are maintaining 50% more network hardware than what is needed. Thus when we receive requests to active a jack with data we will analyze the network hardware in the telcom room to see if we can relocate a port that has not been used over the past 6 months. This will help elevate the expense of installing & maintaining additional hardware in the telcom room that is going unused.
When might I see charges for data port installs?
- If you are a 3rd party customer (Non UA Admin Department)
- If UITS does not currently have a presence at the site or where your jack wiring goes to. Examples are new building construction, new remote sites or sites without UITS LAN equipment.
- Installation of ports other than 10/100/1000BaseT LAN ports (e.g., optical fiber based ports, building connections “Building Lights”, 10gig service, DSL service, wireless service, etc.).
- Installation of new data ports that service security cameras, card swipes, and utility controls monitoring units are not covered by this policy and will result in charges back to the customer.
- Note: 1 Gigabit (1000MB) service requires Cat5E/Cat6 wiring. Those will be RJ45 jacks that are Orange & Violet in color. If you have an older Brown outlet that will not support Gigabit service, a new jack will need to be installed at the departments’ expense.
What should I do when I have a few ports that we use only once a year, like those in our conference room?
Send an email request to UITS Telecommunications Service (UITS-TELCO@email.arizona.edu) with the information and they will submit them for review and approval.
Why the change in policy?
As mentioned above we have found that 50% of the deployed data ports are going unused. Instead of continuing to install more electronics in our telcom rooms we found that we can provide campus service more efficiently and cost effectively if we began reusing ports that were not seeing activity.
