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About the Monash network

Monash University has a large and complex network consisting of more than 2000 network devices servicing over 40,000 data points in 150 buildings on 20 sites. In addition to a fixed data network Monash University also provides a wireless service for staff, students and authorised visitors. The wireless service currently provides access for more than 3500 concurrent users every day. The university relies heavily on the entire network for the delivery of academic and administrative services. The Monash network is connected to the Internet via separate 1 gigabit and 10 gigabit high quality dark fibre links to AARNet. Work is currently in progress to enable dual 10 gigabit links.

Monash University's enterprise network is a state-of-the-art, ethernet network which consists of a scalable, resilient high bandwidth core backbone and resilient connectivity at speeds of up to 10 gigabit/s for end-user connectivity. The network includes enhanced security to conform with Monash policy, while Quality of Service (QoS) features are implemented to ensure high network performance for not only mission-critical enterprise applications, but also for delay-sensitive applications such as video and Voice Over IP (VoIP). The network was designed with an emphasis on availability and maintainability via multi-paths and dual active/standby hardware pairs to minimise the number of single-point-failure items.

Physical Network Topology

The design is based around precincts or sub-networks. Each precinct is served by two route switches for resilience.

Each precinct comprises a group of buildings based on a combination of campus geography and optical fibre distribution. Additionally, the central servers have their own dual precinct route switches. The design ensures a solid routed core with resilient load-sharing paths to the servers, and the building distribution switch located in each building. From each Precinct switch, there are dual gigabit connections via single mode (SM) to building distribution switches (BDS). Each BDS in turn resiliently connects to floor ethernet switches (FES). A high degree of resilience is therefore achieved from core to edge, providing a gigabit connection to the desktop.

Quality of Service

To ensure the network is optimized for best performance, Quality of Service (QoS) with appropriate prioritization of traffic, and policy based networking features will be implemented across the network. This will ensure high network performance for not only mission-critical enterprise applications including email and web browsing, but also for bandwidth-intensive real-time applications such as video and voice over IP, and multicasting to support program distribution and video broadcasts.

Support

The Monash network is monitored and supported 24 hours a day all year round by Monash network engineers.

To get a new network connection, please contact your local IT support staff who will arrange for the physical installation and network registration. If you don't have local IT support staff, contact your nearest ITS Service Desk.