Excellence in Networking 1998 Award Winner

Duke University

Enabling. Enlightening. Empowering. From its conception in 1989, and first implementation as a single shared Ethernet, to the present high-speed Fast Ethernet/FDDI/ATM mesh, DukeNet has consistently provided the faculty, students and staff of Duke University with a state-of-the-art networking infrastructure.

The Board of Trustees recognized the need to migrate Duke University from the centralized, mainframe-centric model into a distributed, network-centric environment when they approved funding for the construction of the first of 6 phases in early 1989. Ground was broken in July 1989 for Phase I, which linked 7 buildings along Research and Science Drives. Up to this point, Internet connectivity had been provided by the Computer Science Department via an IB1 bridge and microwave link. Several departments had installed SLIP lines to the Computer Science network to gain access to computing resources and the Internet, but all of this was done ad-hoc, without a formalized networking plan. When Phase I was activated, Internet connectivity was migrated to a Cisco router located in the Tel-Com building, allowing all 7 buildings of Phase I full Internet access. The benefits of the network were immediately apparent as collaboration flourished, and previously isolated groups gained access to email, network news and the resources of the Internet.

Based on the success of Phase I, the Board approved the funding of Phase II in 1990. Phase II and Phase III built on the same model as Phase I and enjoyed equal success as more buildings were connected to the network. Even at this early stage, the need for remote access was perceived and the first modem pool was put in place: a Cisco STS-10 terminal server and 8 9600bps modems.

At the completion of Phase III in 1991, approximately 75% of the buildings on campus had a DukeNet point-of-presence. Attention turned to the dormitories and a massive rewiring project was begun which provided each room with a voice jack, 2 category 5 data jacks and an RG-6 coaxial cable for video services. Over the next 2 years approximately 3,500 faceplates were installed in residence halls.

Despite the heavy capital investment in network infrastructure, the paradigm shift in computing that had begun with Phase I did not continue at the same pace. Several factors precipitated this slowdown, among them a lack of standards-based wiring infrastructure in most non-residential buildings, and the fragmented nature of the computer support organizations at this time.

The Computing Task Force recognized the need for change in their report, "A Clarion Call for Computing at Duke," published in July, 1993. The Task Force made the following recommendations for implementing a new computing culture at Duke:

Implement campus-wide electronic mail and bulletin board systems Develop a plan to wire buildings whose systems are inadequate for DukeNet Fully fund annual support and maintenance of DukeNet Dramatically increase training in computing technologies at all levels Begin to integrate all corporate data systems into a university-wide information infrastructure and provide appropriate access to this information Implement paperless business procedures Based on the input of the Computing Task Force, faculty members and computing committees, the decision was made to create the position of Vice Provost/Chief Information Officer. After a lengthy search process a new Chief Information Officer was brought on board in October, 1994.

Upon the arrival of the new CIO input was solicited from faculty, staff and students and an evaluation began of the administrative, academic and operational aspects of computing at Duke. A comprehensive reorganization plan was developed and implementation began in July, 1995. The reorganization combined 6 previously distinct units into the Office of Information Technology. A vision statement was released, stating:

"OIT has as its vision to provide the highest-quality services to the Duke Community. These services shall include a completely networked campus with easy on-line access for each individual. OIT will offer the best and broadest possible range of information resources available and a solid complement of technical support services."

Acting on the objectives set forth in the vision statement the Office of Information Technology presented a plan for the rewiring of all Academic and Administrative buildings to the Board of Trustees in May, 1995. The plan, a $20 million dollar, 4 year endeavor, called for the installation of Category 5 wiring for voice and data and RG-6 coax for video services to each faceplate, and background electronics to activate the data ports. As of March, 1998, the second year buildings have been completed, third year construction is well underway and planning has begun for year four.

In November, 1995, a new Information Technology Advisory Council, ITAC, was created. This committee superseded a number of existing IT committees and is now the single IT advisory body to the Vice Provost for Information Technology. ITAC membership includes faculty nominated by the Academic Council, IT representatives nominated by each of the schools, administrative staff representatives, and various graduate and undergraduate students. Three subcommittees were formed by ITAC to work on various IT-related issues and activities. These are strategic planning, undergraduate student computing and institutional data. To facilitate communication with the Duke community, ITAC has created a web site that includes drafts of all documents being developed by ITAC as well as minutes of all meetings. The Web site is located at http://www.oit.duke.edu/itac/.