The scenario (pre-N2030 programme):  

There was a business need to deliver a new tool to manage the University network, we previously outsourced this.

What we want to achieve:

• Deliver a modern and reliable network monitoring and management tool for in-house use. The tool uses AI and allows ITS to keep the University’s network running efficiently.
• Deliver training and appoint champions to ensure the tool is optimised and managed well.

This project has delivered:

• The new monitoring tool was deployed in February 2026.
• The Network Team and IT Operations Centre (ITOC) are working from February onwards on fine tuning the alerts the system produces and the processes around how these are handled. This is an ongoing activity which will improve the IT network service over time.

In future the project will deliver: 

• Continued training over 2026 covering all colleagues who will use the tool.
• CMDB & ITSM Integration. 

What difference will this make?

• Reduced tickets to service desk thanks to AI-supported technology predicting outages and issues with the network before they happen.
• The new system will help ITS understand how the University network is used, so we can plan improvements more effectively. 

The scenario (pre-N2030 programme): 

The Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), one of the University’s flagship buildings, used by thousands of students, staff and visitors each year, had frequent Wi-Fi issues and an outdated network setup that didn’t meet modern performance standards.

What we want to achieve: 

Deliver a high-quality, secure, and future-ready network that supports teaching, research, and day-to-day operations at AMBS.

This project has delivered: 

Completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Wi-Fi upgrade, replacing and transforming access points (APs) throughout the building to improve coverage and performance.

In future the project will deliver: 

Continue with the Local Area network (LAN) upgrade to roll out the new policy-based LAN and improve wired network performance and security.

What difference will this make: 

A fit for purpose Wi-Fi service within AMBS, one that is available in all parts of the building, is reliable, consistent, responsive and provides a seamless service for all colleagues, students and visitors. 

What is the project about:

This project addresses the Wi-Fi and internet connectivity within the Whitworth Park halls of residence. Previously, residents experienced patchy and unreliable signals. The upgrade covers the entire complex, including Aberdeen, Acomb, Burleigh, Derby, Dilworth, Garstang, Leamington, Thorncliffe, and Grove House. Once complete residents will enjoy a fantastic, strong Wi-Fi service that supports both their academic studies and their downtime. 

What we want to achieve: 

Our goal is to deliver a fast, seamless, and reliable Wi-Fi service that reaches every student bedroom and all communal areas. We are also future-proofing the network by adding support for the latest high-speed devices (6GHz) and upgrading the underlying hardware, replacing older switches with modern 'Hospitality' access points designed for high-density living. 

This project has delivered: 

Phase 1 is now complete with new hospitality AP's and fixed AP's installed in Acomb, Burleigh, Leamington and Grove.  

In future the project will deliver: 

• We are currently in Phase 2 of the installation. Site surveys have been started, technical designs for the new network are being finalised, along with a detailed delivery plan to ensure the work is carried out efficiently.
   
• The new Wi-Fi access points and hardware are scheduled to be installed during July and August 2026. This ensures that when students arrive for the new academic year in September, the upgraded system will be fully operational and supported. 

What difference will this make: 

Fantastic Wi-Fi service that is future-proof and strong for residents supporting them in their studies and downtime.

What is the project about: 

IT Services have announced the start of an important new technology initiative to strengthen its digital infrastructure and resilience with the creation of a new Data Centre Interconnect (DCI), linking its primary and secondary data centres. 

What we want to achieve:

• The DCI will provide a high‑capacity, high‑speed connection between sites, ensuring that critical university systems can operate more efficiently, reliably, and securely. Once complete, the interconnect will improve data resilience, support faster recovery in the event of outages, and create a strong foundation for future digital services. 
• The project is designed to meet growing demand for secure research storage, cloud‑ready applications, and modern teaching technologies. By enabling data to move seamlessly between locations, the new system will help maintain continuity for essential services such as virtual learning environments, administration platforms, and research computing. 

This project has delivered:

We've laid a strong foundation and are moving steadily through the early phases of the project. Here's what has been achieved so far:

• Project launch complete: All initial setup and official project documents are finalised.
• Clear goals defined: We have captured exactly what the new system needs to do to support our staff and students.
• Strategy alignment: We've ensured our plans match the University's wider Network 2030 digital vision.
• Proactive risk management: We are already identifying and managing potential hurdles like older equipment or staffing needs to keep the project on track.
• Detailed roadmap in place: Budgets, schedules, and resource plans are set to ensure a smooth delivery.

In future the project will deliver:

• A modern digital link: A fully operational, high-speed connection between our data centres built on the latest resilient technology.
• Built-in safety measures: New systems that isolate technical faults, ensuring a localised issue doesn't spread across the entire network.
• Reliable, professional hardware: Replacing older equipment with brand-new, manufacturer-supported hardware designed for long-term stability.
• Complete technical playbook: Detailed guides and maps of the new system to ensure our teams have everything they need to manage it effectively.
• Training & smooth handover: Our Network and IT Operations teams are receiving training from our expert partners. This ensures a seamless transition into our daily operations with a clear support model in place.

What difference will this make?

This initiative represents a significant step forward in strengthening the institution's digital capabilities and ensuring its technology infrastructure can continue to support innovation, learning, and collaboration for years to come.

What is the project about:  

Following the successful rollout of the University's new Data Centre Interconnect (DCI) capability, IT Services plans to launch the next phase of its modernisation programme: a comprehensive redesign and refresh of the Data Centre Local Area Network (DCLAN). 

What we want to achieve:

• This project will upgrade the core networking equipment within the University's primary and secondary data centres, replacing ageing hardware, and moving current services onto a new, more powerful, secure, and scalable platform (LAN).
  
  
• The refreshed and redesigned LAN will work hand‑in‑hand with the new DCI to deliver faster performance, improved resilience, and greater flexibility for the University's expanding digital services.
  
  
• The enhanced infrastructure will support a wide range of key systems used every day by students and staff-such as virtual learning environments, research platforms, and business applications. It will also strengthen the University's ability to adopt emerging technologies and cloud services, building a strong foundation for future digital transformation.  

In future the project will deliver: 

Although this project will follow the DCI project, the team are busy in the planning stage of DCLAN; and IT Services will again, share updates as key milestones are reached.

What difference will this make?

This initiative represents another important step in ensuring the University's technology environment remains robust, modern, and capable of supporting innovation across teaching, research, and administration. As mentioned, the project is currently in the planning phase, and is expected to run until July 2028.

What is the project about:

Smart Power Distribution Units (PDUs), or intelligent PDUs, are advanced, networked power strips designed for data centres and IT server racks that provide real-time remote monitoring, management, and control of power usage.

ITS currently has no indication of how power is drawn per device, per rack in comms rooms. The rollout of smart PDU’s to all comms rooms across the estate will ensure visibility and thus efficient use of power per rack per comms room.

While under the Network 2030 umbrella, this work is being carried out using in-house resources and hence will be carried out gradually over the course of the N2030 programme.

This project has delivered:

50 smart PDU's installed by May 2026.

In future the project will deliver:

Procurement and deployment of smart PDU's in the remaining 150 locations.

What is the project about:

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the internet for communication. This project makes changes to the way these are managed at the University.

What we want to achieve:

• We want to create a simple, scalable way to manage IP addresses across the university network that is easier to manage, build upon and is more secure. This project will develop a framework for improving our network estate by focusing on building specific users and requirements
• The IP Address Schema developed as part of this project will be implemented at Richmond Park Halls of Residence and then used as a model for other buildings in the future.

In future the project will deliver:

• A defined and documented IP Address Management policy.
• A new, scalable IP address and VRF design framework.
• Successful implementation of the new IPAM policy at Richmond Park Halls of Residence.
• Clear building categories linked to user types, bandwidth needs and VLANs.
• Repeatable documentation to support future rollout beyond halls of residence.

What is the project about:

The purpose of this project is to modernise and strengthen the University’s DDI services (the behind‑the‑scenes systems that help devices connect to the internet, find websites, get IP addresses, and keep accurate time).

We will introduce modern, fully supported ITS platforms for DNS, DHCP and IP address management, working collaboratively with local teams to transition away from older or unsupported solutions where appropriate.

What we want to achieve:

• Improved visibility of devices and services connected to the IT network.
• Clearer, more consistent management of network services, reducing risk and complexity.
• A more secure network that is easier to understand, operate, and adapt as requirements evolve.

This project has delivered:

New Infoblox chosen to deliver foundational technology for secure network services and legacy platform decommissioned.

What is the project about:

Distribution switches are a key to in managing traffic flow across our IT network. They are critical to providing network services to buildings across the campus.

This project was completed in 2025.

The project has delivered:

18 Cisco legacy distribution switches which were end of support have been replaced with fully supported switches on 13 sites across the campus. The new hardware reduces cost, cyber risk and will improve user satisfaction with the network by improving traffic efficiency.

What is the project about:

Load balancers distribute incoming web traffic across multiple servers to ensure application reliability, security, and speed. Our data centre F5 load balancers were approaching the end of software support with redundancy limited to two across both data centres.

This project was completed in 2025.

The project has delivered:

The project replaced our load balancers with upgraded equipment, improving the redundancy capability of the data centre load balancers and helping prevent system outages.

What is the project about: 

This project focuses on the Edge Routers, the heavy-duty equipment that acts as the gateway between the University's internal network and the outside world (the internet). Because this is the main entry and exit point for all digital traffic, it is essential that this equipment is modern and secure. While this is behind-the-scenes work that staff and students won't see directly, it is vital for daily life at the University. It acts like an insurance policy for our internet connection.

This project was completed in 2026.

The project has delivered:

• Chosen the new, modern hardware to replace existing Edge Routers.
• Selected an expert external partner to help install and configure the equipment.
• Started detailed planning to organise how and when the upgrade will be carried out safely.
• Install the new Edge Router hardware at the University’s network boundary.
• Complete the transition to the upgraded equipment with minimal disruption to users.

The scenario (pre-N2030 programme): 

There is a business need to change how the University’s network is managed, by creating a new Target Operating Model (TOM) to ensure the efficient and effective running of our network. This also gives us an opportunity to strengthen our in-house expertise and take full ownership of network services once our managed service contract is closed.

This project was completed in April 2026.

The project has delivered:

• We have developed the Target Operating Model document which encompasses all the considerations required for providing effective recommendations to the network team.
• We have provided a baseline for current network service activity and identified the initial target state of network provision.
• We have also developed a gap analysis plan to identify the areas that we will need to address to ensure that there is a smooth transition into the new operating model.