Preparing for Network Transformation
What can you do as an end-user?
How end-users can help
If your building is on our schedule for transformation, please familiarise yourself with this page and the things you can do to make the transformation period run as smoothly as possible.
By assisting the Network Transformation team in identifying any non-University-managed networked devices you are aware of in your building or in your office which includes everything from printers to laundry machines to CCTV and everything in between, you are aiding in the success of this project.
We want to know everything there is to know about your building and what's connected to the internet. We want to know what kind of work happens where you work, what specialist systems you use and if there are any important events happening so we can schedule transformation at the right time to suit you and your colleagues. The more you tell us, the better transformation will be for everyone.
Your building
If this sounds like the team is sitting back and waiting for you to tell us what we need to hear, do not fear. We are running our own remote investigations of the site to pick up on devices that are unmanaged or could require a workaround. The team will send a list of these devices to our site 'Champions' who will help us to find out what these devices are and who they belong to in order to transform them.
What do you need to do before transformation?
Windows, Linux and Apple Mac computers not managed by the University
Colleagues will need to follow the reconnection instructions below and in the IT Services emails sent to Building/Site Representatives about the Network Transformation.
Other devices connected to the wired network
- Colleagues may be contacted by their local building representative to confirm if all their devices are on the list for reconfiguration.
- Any additional devices that do not appear on this list should be reported as soon as possible to IT.modernisation@manchester.ac.uk.
Equipment and servers that are managed by third-parties
- Colleagues will need to inform third-parties of the requirement to update their devices.
- The project team will provide colleagues with the information required by third-party equipment providers to make the necessary changes to IP addresses.
Colleagues will be asked to check and confirm devices are connecting correctly following the change
We’ll ask local representatives to check with colleagues that their devices are connecting as expected, and report any outstanding issues connecting to the wired network to IT.modernisation@manchester.ac.uk.
Other services
Other services to be reconfigured include, but are not limited to: Building Management Systems, CCTV, Door Access Control and Printers. The project team will work with colleagues in these service areas to ensure that these devices are reconfigured with minimal disruption.
University-managed laptops and desktops
You won’t need to do anything if you have a University managed Windows laptop or desktop computer, as these will be updated remotely. You may notice a short interruption to your connection of up to five minutes as your computer updates.
What do you need to do after transformation?
Information about reconnecting self-managed devices following the Network Transformation
You may need to manually reconnect self-managed devices following the Network Transformation
- Users of University managed Windows laptops or desktop computers won’t need to do anything as these devices will reconnect automatically.
- Users of the following types of self-managed devices will need to follow the instructions on the IT Support Portal knowledge base to reconnect. Log into the IT Support Portal first, then click on the relevant link below:
- Self-managed Windows laptops and desktops: Network: Connecting an unmanaged Windows device to the wired network
- Linux: Network: Connecting an unmanaged Linux device to the wired network
- Apple Macs: Network: Connecting an unmanaged Apple device to the wired network
- Remotes access: Using Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) on a transformed Network