Project Type: Modernize IT Infrastructure

What is the project? The Blue Call Boxes project involves transitioning the approximately 300 Blue Call Boxes (also referred to as blue lights) on campus from analog phone lines to Voice over IP (VoIP). These call boxes are emergency communication devices that automatically dial 911 when activated, connecting the user directly to the UNC public safety center. Why are we doing it? This transition is necessary to maintain the functionality of emergency call boxes across… Read More about Blue Call Boxes: Upgrading Phone Lines.

What is the project? ITS is replacing the current Communicator soft phone software client with new software called “Ping, powered by Clearspan”. This software allows customers to use their desktop or mobile device to make and place phone calls using a UNC phone number.  It can be installed on various operating systems, including Mac, Windows, Android, and Apple devices. This software is particularly useful for remote workers or those without access to a physical office… Read More about Upgrading to Ping: The Next Generation of Soft Phone.

Replace the existing campus wireless services contracts (Neutral Hosting) with a new set of wireless provider (Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T) service contracts and implement new campus 5G services. We expect to support a seamless transition away from the current service contract after we establish the contracts and new funding model. The project includes new 5G services and new positions (people and roles) to manage the services on campus. The end result is providing reliable outdoor… Read More about 5G and Wireless Service.

ITS continues to install high-speed fiber connections throughout campus, making our networks faster and more reliable. Projects underway include: Curtis Media Center: This new run of fiber will connect the Curtis Media Center with Carmichael Arena and Memorial Hall.[Completed 2022]. School of Medicine: This project added a new fiber backbone from ITS Manning to MacNider Hall. It will also move the tier one location from Isaac M. Taylor Hall to Marsico Lung Institute. [Completed 2023]…. Read More about Fiber Projects.

The NetApp AltaVault is reaching the end of its life cycle in December 2023. We need a replacement solution to move identified data off-premise for specified time periods. The replacement solution will be an automated tool that: moves data from on-premise to off-premise, logs the process and expires the data at the appropriate time, allows us to retrieve the data and restore it on-premise when required, and have a cost model that fits the ITS… Read More about AltaVault Replacement (NetApp CBS).

The life cycle of the current Cisco UCS* hardware, purchased in 2015, is coming to an end.  The current hardware does not have modern compute speed, and, as it ages, is more prone to failure. We plan to migrate all work loads to the new server blades by the end of the 2022. *Unified Computing System

What is it? This project is performing a lifecycle replacement of storage controllers and disks that are nearing the end of their useful life. Why are we doing it? As hardware ages, it becomes less reliable, the potential for data loss grows and maintenance costs increase. This project is focusing on replacing: ESMC0 – the hardware supporting Storage.unc.edu and SecNas.unc.edu. ESMC5 – the hardware that provides some primary storage for Splunk and serves as a… Read More about esmc0 and esmc5 NetApp Storage Replacements.

The University’s phone service is moving from Verizon to AT&T. When the University’s contract ends in 2023, Verizon is discontinuing the service we use. We now have the opportunity to evaluate other providers, save money and provide additional features that support mobile and remote work settings. The move affects all campus phone lines, such as fax lines, conference room phones and main lines.