University Networking & Infrastructure
UNI Mission
To provide innovative information technology services and infrastructure for the LSU community in support of the Flagship IT Strategy.
UNI Description
University Networking and Infrastructure (UNI) is a division of Information Technology (ITS) Services at LSU. UNI’s portfolio includes wired networking, wireless networking, network security, telephony, network applications, virtual servers and storage, and cloud services. The delivery of these services is provided by seven individual teams within UNI:
Network Engineering and Architecture (NEA)
NEA is responsible for the architecture, design, installation, and maintenance of the data network infrastructure of the LSU A&M campus. This includes access layer switches, distribution layer switches, core switches, firewalls, border routers, other devices involved in the delivery of wired networking services. The group also manages network authentication services and security policy implementation as they apply to network devices. All unresolved network incidents are escalated to the NEA group.
Network Engineering and Architecture - Wireless (NEA Wireless)
NEA Wireless is responsible for the architecture, design, installation, and maintenance of wireless network infrastructure of the LSU A&M campus. This includes wireless controllers, wireless access points, and other devices involved in the delivery of wireless networking services. All unresolved wireless network incidents are escalated to the NEA - Wireless group.
Telecommunications Architecture and Network Construction (TANC)
TANC is responsible for the design, installation, and maintenance of all inside plant (ISP) structured horizontal communications cabling on the A&M campus. The team also is responsible for the configuration and installation of all access layer switches deployed in all telecommunication rooms (TRs). TANC and NINF ensure any architectural plans for new construction or renovations produced by Facility Services and Planning Development include provisions for telephony, wired, and wireless networking and meet the UNI Construction Requirements located here:
https://www.lsu.edu/it_services/uni/construction-requirements.php
Network Facilities (NINF)
NINF is responsible for the design, installation, and maintenance of all outside plant (OSP) communications cabling and all inside plant (ISP) structured backbone communications cabling, both copper and optical. The team also designs, installs, and maintains all communication OSP assets for the University (conduits and manholes). NINF connects networking devices by deploying and monitoring circuits via fiber optic cabling. NINF and TANC ensure any architectural plans for new construction or renovations produced by Facility Services and Planning Development include provisions for telephony, wired, and wireless networking and meet the UNI Construction Requirements located here:
https://www.lsu.edu/it_services/uni/construction-requirements.php
Network Applications and Systems Architecture (NASA)
NASA is responsible for design, installation and daily operation services associated with systems architecture and network applications. NASA also manages enterprise licensing for several institutional platforms such as Microsoft. NASA is comprised of two groups responsible for the following services:
Network Applications (NetApps)
NetApps is responsible for systems and applications which are directly supportive of network services, such as DNS, DHCP, BlueCat IP address management (IPAM). NetApps is also responsible for institutional services such as Microsoft Office 365 (Email), Microsoft Active Directory, Listserv email management and broadcast email management. NetApps also administers collaborative platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
Systems Architecture (SysArc)
SysArc is responsible for LSU’s Infrastructure as a Services (IaaS) offering, including compute, storage, backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services. SysArc is responsible for licensing for VMWare and RedHat. SysArc also offers public cloud-based services based on Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS platforms.
Unified Applications (UA)
UA is responsible for all telephony services on the LSU Baton Rouge Campus including related services such as voicemail, call forward, call hunt groups, contact centers, etc. In addition, UA manages the University’s contract for cable TV services and acts as a liaison between LSU customers and the cable contract vendor. UA also acts as a liaison with multiple cellular vendors for University provided cellular services.