TNS News
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Support of 100 Mbps Integrated Backbone Services Re-extended
Sun, 25 Oct 2009
ITS is re-extending the support of the 100 Mbps Integrated Backbone connections from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Due to advances made by networking equipment providers, plus recent University budgetary pressures delaying installation of facility upgrades, the requirement to upgrade current 100 Mbps networks to 1 Gbps will be postponed at least one more fiscal year than previously announced last January (the original announcement is available at http://www.tns.its.psu.edu/generalInfo/endOfService.cfm). Support for the 100 Mbps connections will now be available until June 30, 2011. Individuals who wish to obtain more information on Integrated Backbone services should contact Telecommunications and Networking Services through the Web Service Inquiry Form at http://www.tns.its.psu.edu/ib/ or by calling 814-865-6285. -
ITS Reduces Completion Times for Network Service Requests
Wed, 15 Jul 2009
ITS Telecommunications and Networking Services has reduced the lead times for the design and installation of Local Area Networks, Integrated Backbone connections, and firewall services by as much as two weeks. In addition, the lead time for services such as Local Area Network moves, changes, or the addition of a computer or a network hub has also been lessened by two weeks. "Lead time" is the period between the initial request for network services and the completion of those services. A network project's lead time begins after a unit or office receives confirmation from ITS (via e-mail) that their telecommunications service request (TSR) has been received. Newly reduced lead times for Integrated Backbone Services are available at http://www.tns.its.psu.edu/ib/index.cfm?backboneID=leadTime#a Newly reduced lead times for Local Area Network and Firewall Services are available at http://www.tns.its.psu.edu/lan/index.cfm?lanID=leadtimes#a -
ITS Announces Refinement of Private Fiber Policy and Pricing
Fri, 19 Jun 2009
Effective July 1, 2009, the private fiber policy at Penn State will be simplified and private fiber costs will be largely reduced. ITS is refining its private fiber policy and pricing structure due to the availability of âsingle modeâ fiber and the increased interest among colleges and departments in creating and managing their own private networks. Private fiber has become popular among institutions and businesses, because it can be directly purchased to build a local private network - allowing departments to have dedicated point-to-point network linkage between separate buildings in their areas. Previously, private fiber installation procedures at Penn State included costs for cable and pathways on a per-foot basis, making the process very complex and often cost prohibitive. Under the new policy, however, departments and colleges can simply choose to use University fiber purchased through Central funding (whenever this is available) or fund the installation of fiber directly themselves. In addition, if an academic or administrative unit requires supporting hardware to connect and complete their private network (via private fiber) the unit will be responsible for the acquisition cost of the equipment, plus a monthly maintenance fee equating to 0.5% of the acquisition cost. More information about the private fiber pricing structure is available at http://tns.its.psu.edu/wiring/index.cfm?wiringID=price#a. For more information about private fiber, colleges and departments may contact Telecommunications and Networking Services at (814) 865-1696 or submit an inquiry at https://www4.tns.its.psu.edu/generalInfo/inquiryForm.cfm. -
Penn State Launches Wireless 2.0 Service
Wed, 13 May 2009
The next generation of Penn State's wireless service was released to students, faculty and staff on Monday this week. The new service (known as Penn State Wireless 2.0) is designed to incorporate cutting-edge authentication and encryption methods aimed at improving the level of security and performance for laptop and desktop users. In contrast to Penn State's original wireless service, Wireless 2.0 no longer requires use of the University's Virtual Private Network (VPN), therefore enabling instant connection to Internet resources and consistent wireless coverage for roaming within and between 2.0-enabled campus buildings. Participants will also experience improved Web page response time and decreased âtimeoutâ issues - plus the new service is easy to use and only requires a one-time download and configuration for wireless users to be up and running. Because some kinds of laptop software may not yet be able to easily support the 2.0 service, the original 1.0 wireless service will continue to operate simultaneously with the new version for a period of two years (until June 30, 2011). Penn State Wireless 2.0 is initially available within portions of University Park's Willard Plaza, Shortledge mall, and east sub-campus areas, until additional departmental requests for the service are received. Individuals who are in these Wireless 2.0 designated buildings (or noted surrounding areas) are encouraged to open up their laptops, search for the new "psu" network identifier, and try out the next generation of the Penn State Wireless service! More information about each of Penn State's wireless services, including instructions and locations, is available at http://wireless.psu.edu/. Departmental inquiries or requests for the new 2.0 service should be submitted through the Service Inquiry Form at https://www4.tns.its.psu.edu/generalInfo/inquiryForm.cfm or by calling 814-865-1696. -
$100 Credit on VOIP Phone Sets to End June 30, 2009
Fri, 27 Mar 2009
ITS has been offering administrative and academic units at University Park an initial roll out incentive to stimulate conversion to Voice-over-IP (VoIP), a technology that enables departments to reap significant benefits, including cutting-edge converged voice and data features and cost-reduction potential for voice service. However, this $100 one-time credit will end June 30, 2009 now that nearly most of the administrative and academic phones at the University Park campus have made the conversion to VoIP. During this initial phase, over $1M in credit savings has been provided to individual colleges and departments, and the adoption of the new technology has enabled departmental savings of over 1/3 of the monthly telephone dial-tone rate, when compared to that for legacy Centrex service. Those who have not yet chosen to utilize VoIP at University Park can still take advantage of the $100 credit through June 30, 2009, by completing and submitting a Telecommunications Service Request (TSR) by that date. To learn more, contact ITS Telecommunications and Networking Services, either through the Web service inquiry form at https://www4.tns.its.psu.edu/forms/VoiceServInq.html, or by calling 814-865-1696. -
Advanced HD Videoconferencing Technology at Penn State
Wed, 25 Mar 2009
ITS is now offering high-definition (HD) capable videoconferencing equipment through the Polycom videoconferencing series. Advanced HD video technology offers smooth, natural motion and sharp clear images for outstanding video in 720p resolution and high fidelity audio that provides crisp clear natural voice clarity. The new HD equipment is compatible with existing videoconferencing equipment currently in use at Penn State and is also supported through Penn Stateâs new high-definition bridge capability. A bridge allows three or more sites to participate in a videoconference and also enables multiple conference mode uses. A limited number of the new high-definition videoconference systems are already installed at University Park and other campus locations. To submit a request or arrange for a demonstration, contact ITS Telecommunications and Networking services through the online Service Inquiry form at https://www4.tns.its.psu.edu/generalInfo/inquiryForm.cfm or call 814-865-1696. -
TSR Deadlines Set for Fiscal Year End and Summer
Thu, 12 Feb 2009
Departments that wish to have their telecommunications and networking projects completed and billed by the end of the fiscal year should submit project requests with sufficient time to finalize the service design. In order to ensure billing will occur by the end of fiscal year 2008/2009, the Telecommunications Service Request (TSR) should be submitted and the Service Design should be completed by March 13, 2009. Otherwise, billing may not occur until fiscal year 2009/2010. In addition, Penn State offices that would like to have their telecommunications projects in the queue for the busy summer work season should submit their TSR forms by May 8, 2009. For more information on service lead times and service requests please call Telecommunications and Networking Services (TNS) at 814-865-1696, or submit an inquiry through the TNS Service Inquiry Form at https://www4.tns.its.psu.edu/generalInfo/inquiryForm.cfm. -
Support of 100 Mbps Integrated Backbone Services Extended
Fri, 30 Jan 2009
ITS is extending the support of the 100 Mbps Integrated Backbone connections from June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2010. ITS originally announced in June 2007 that 100 Mbps backbone connections would no longer be supported as of June 30, 2009 (http://www.tns.its.psu.edu/generalInfo/endOfService.cfm). However, due to a number of network factors and economic pressures facing both academic and administrative units, the requirement to upgrade current 100 Mbps networks to 1 Gbps will be delayed at least one fiscal year. Individuals who wish to obtain more information on Integrated Backbone services should contact Telecommunications and Networking Services through the Web service inquiry form at http://www.tns.its.psu.edu/ib/ or by calling 814-865-1696. -
Penn State Participates in World-Wide Megaconference on Videoconferencing
Tue, 02 Dec 2008
Penn State Information Technology Services (ITS) recently participated in the tenth anniversary of the "Megaconference," billed as the largest world-wide videoconference of its kind. Each year, the Megaconference (http://digitalunion.osu.edu/megaconference/) breaks down the barriers of geographic distance by connecting people from all parts of the globe in an effort to further the use of videoconferencing in education and research. The conference was made possible by a system of Internet videoconferencing protocols and multiple connections from around the world, linked together to create a cutting-edge Internet-based videoconference infrastructure. At this year's conference, speakers from across the globe shared their latest real-world uses of videoconferencing via the Internet (IP Videoconferencing). The global audience for the conference - which was estimated to be close to 2000 participants - ranged from individuals who had access to advanced Internet connectivity (such as Penn State) to participants who watched via Web browsers or freely available streaming video players. Twelve countries (including the U.S., China, Croatia, India, Slovenia, and Taiwan -- to name a few) conducted 30 real-time presentations using videos, PowerPoint, Second Life scenarios, Skype (a software that allows users to make telephone calls over the Internet), green screen, electron microsope, streaming, and blogging technologies. Michael Hite, application development engineer at ITS, presented at the Megaconference and offered his observations during a segment entitled, "Then and Now," which gathered reflections from those involved in the very first Megaconference a decade ago - when ITS researchers and engineers were first developing videoconferencing technology for use at Penn State. "It was very interesting to see how the Megaconference has continued to grow since 1998," Hite said. "Back then, we were mainly trying to get the technology to work. Over the years, the videoconferencing industry has advanced significantly and the Megaconference evolved into an event that enables people from all over the world to connect with each other." To learn more about videoconferencing at Penn State, go to: http://tns.its.psu.edu/videoConferencing/.
