Technology Integrated Services

Core network refresh

The University’s core network equipment was refreshed throughout 2024, which increased maximum throughput in the core from 40Gbps up-to 400Gbps. Internal connections were updated to improve efficiency while maintaining high availability, allow for the optimization of the core network components as future demand requires, and extending vendor support. All network traffic on campus (wired and wireless) passes through the network core to access resources on the internet or in the data centre.

Images depict Waterloo's traffic to/from the internet for a one-week period and present the min/max and average for the complete month. Data is collected from the firewall cluster that sits between campus and the internet. So far, the new infrastructure has facilitated a real-world peak download rate of over 30 Gbps!

Campus Firewall throughput from November 28 to December 4

Campus Firewall throughput from November 28 to December 4

Campus firewall connections and NAT from November 28 and December 4

Campus firewall connections and NAT from November 28 and December 4

Averages from November 6 to December 4

Averages from November 6 to December 4

This image shows the physical connections between the core networking devices, the top being the internet connections down to the distribution routers where individual buildings connect to.

Other 2024 accomplishments

Some of the other great work from the past year

Campus access control refresh

Launched the Campus Access Control Refresh project which will upgrade the prox-fob based Hirsch-Identiv access control system and HID readers to a modern WatCard-based ICT access control system. Use cases of the system are being expanded with software integrations developed by Information Systems. This process is expected to complete in May 2026.

Endpoint management 

Spearheaded the implementation of Microsoft Intune and Azure cloud technologies to successfully manage macOS devices across the University Academic Support Units and some Faculties.

Upcoming 2025 initiatives

A look at what we'll be working on in 2025

Data centre network refresh

The data centre equipment is approaching the end of its supportable life. To maintain vendor support for security flaws and hardware issues, the equipment must be refreshed.

Data centre storage refresh

The University of Waterloo data centre is supported by our local primary storage infrastructure, currently two products (Netapp and Nexenta), both reaching their end of life. The storage environment must be upgraded to one or more supported solutions.

Operating System (OS) upgrades

Desktop and server environments will be upgraded to support the deployment and management of Windows 11 and Server 2025.

PBX/S4B telephone upgrade

The University currently offers multiple telephony and communications options to employees that are nearing end of life. The RFP for this upgrade recently closed and evaluators are actively selecting a replacement of these systems. Deployment and migration will occur in 2025.