Information Technology highly recommends that academic units consult with Telecommunications regarding wiring and network hardware prior to installing labs, whether or not the lab is expected to be connected to the campus network. In several instances academic units have established isolated labs that were expected to remain independent, and then determined a need for Internet access or other campus network services. In order to maintain campus Ethernet performance, wiring and network equipment that had been installed by academic units had to be replaced. Wiring in any discipline-specific lab connected to the campus network must be installed by Telecommunications. Academic units may choose to contract with Telecommunications to install wiring in isolated labs.
Telecommunications charges a fee for wiring installation.
Contracting with Telecommunications to install initial wiring can result in cost savings. Telecommunications maintains specialized equipment and expertise to install wiring and connectivity equipment in accordance with industry, campus, and UW System standards. Hubs, switches, and other network devices in isolated labs are owned and supported by the academic units. Telecommunications will install and support the network infrastructure devices in support of discipline-specific computer labs. The academic unit supports any specially approved network connectivity devices that it purchases for its use within its lab.