The University of Maryland (UMD) has selected the HPE Aruba Networking ESP (Edge Services Platform) to advance its commitment to innovative learning and top-tier research. The deployment features Wi-Fi 6E wireless access points (APs) and CX wired switches, bolstered by AI insights. This campus-wide network upgrade supports UMD’s global academic leadership, serving over 40,700 students and 14,000 faculty and staff across its 1,300-acre campus. By modernizing its infrastructure, UMD anticipates substantial cost savings while meeting the increasing demands for reliable and fast connectivity among its community members.
UMD’s Standardization on HPE Aruba Networking
In pursuit of a secure, centralized, and policy-driven network to enhance infrastructure visibility and application performance, UMD opted to standardize HPE Aruba Networking across its entire footprint. According to Persaud, this decision was driven by HPE Aruba Networking’s ability to securely authenticate the university’s current census of 80,000 endpoints while offering scalability for future needs. Moreover, the all-inclusive nature of the solution eliminates the need for additional licensing or add-on costs, resulting in substantial cost savings over the infrastructure’s lifespan.
Wireless Network Deployment
The deployed solution encompasses approximately 19,000 wireless access points (APs), including the latest Wi-Fi 6E indoor APs. UMD plans to extend high-performance Wi-Fi coverage outdoors to accommodate the growing demand for utilizing green spaces for learning and to support intramural and competitive athletics.
Future-Proofing with Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi 6E is hailed as a future-proofing measure to meet the intensifying connectivity demands, particularly for accessing cloud-based platforms and applications such as Amazon AWS infrastructure and the Canvas student learning management system. UMD intends to expand wireless coverage into unconventional spaces like mechanical rooms and rooftops to enable facilities managers to utilize IoT sensors and mobile devices for optimizing building systems.
Wired Networking Enhancement
For wired networking, UMD is deploying HPE Aruba Networking CX Series Switches, aiming to significantly enhance bandwidth for researchers handling massive data sets. This upgrade will also support the adoption of new physical security and safety systems across the campus.
Impact on Research and Security
The implementation of wired networking enhancements is expected to boost throughput for research activities by up to 25 times, depending on the building. Additionally, it will facilitate the integration of new, more granular physical security systems, such as readers for accessing individual dorm rooms, as highlighted by Mark Addy, Executive Director of Systems and Networking for UMD.
Leveraging HPE Aruba Networking for Enhanced Connectivity and Security
UMD is further enhancing its wired and wireless connectivity by adopting HPE Aruba Networking Central On-Premises for AI-powered management. This strategic move aims to unify, simplify, and secure the university’s network infrastructure. Additionally, UMD is implementing a combination of HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass and Dynamic Segmentation to automate role-based security for wired and wireless endpoints, as well as IoT solutions.
Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Security
Mark Addy highlights the significant improvements in cybersecurity posture facilitated by ClearPass authentication, which handles authentication for tens of thousands of devices daily. Moreover, the automation capabilities of the new management tools are expected to substantially reduce IT overhead. UMD anticipates a reduction of legacy VLANs by approximately 90%, allowing the reallocation of resources to high-value projects, such as enhancing residential student networks and implementing seamless IoT strategies.
Enhancing End-User Experiences with UXI
UMD is utilizing HPE Aruba Networking User Experience Insight (UXI) to optimize end-user experiences through AI-powered monitoring and troubleshooting of application and network performance issues. Addy illustrates the efficacy of UXI by highlighting its proactive identification of network issues, enabling prompt resolution and minimizing disruption across multiple facilities.
Exciting Prospects with HPE Aruba Networking
UMD’s IT staff expresses enthusiasm about the possibilities unlocked by HPE Aruba Networking. Persaud underscores the academic and competitive advantages of a high-performance network in attracting students, faculty, and staff. Moreover, UMD acknowledges HPE Aruba Networking as a reliable partner, providing unparalleled support and expertise, and elevating their networking capabilities to new heights.
FAQs
1. What prompted the University of Maryland to standardize HPE Aruba Networking?
Readers may seek insight into the specific factors or challenges that led UMD to choose HPE Aruba Networking as their preferred networking solution.
2. What benefits does HPE Aruba Networking offer to the University of Maryland?
This question aims to uncover the advantages and improvements expected or experienced by UMD since implementing HPE Aruba Networking.
3. How does HPE Aruba Networking address the networking needs of large academic institutions like the University of Maryland?
Readers may want to understand how HPE Aruba Networking caters to the unique requirements and scale of academic institutions, especially in terms of connectivity, security, and management.
4. What specific solutions or products from HPE Aruba Networking did the University of Maryland deploy?
This question seeks clarification on the particular HPE Aruba Networking solutions or products implemented by UMD, providing readers with a better understanding of the technologies involved.
5. What impact has the standardization of HPE Aruba Networking had on student success and research quality at the University of Maryland?
Readers may be interested in learning about the tangible outcomes or improvements resulting from UMD’s adoption of HPE Aruba Networking, particularly in terms of enhancing student experiences and facilitating high-quality research endeavors.
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