IT Services

IT Infrastructure

Introduction:

In today’s increasingly complex business environments, the network infrastructure has become a crucial means for enhancing user productivity and increasing an organization's ability to grow and remain competitive. Recognizing this fact, Alfaisal University has invested in a “state of the art” network infrastructure that is highly performing, highly available, scalable, secure, integrated, intelligent, and standards-based. At a high-level, the IT Infrastructure department is responsible to provide the following services:

Design Infrastructure model that meets current and future needs;
Design, maintain and manage networking standards for cabling and wireless
Communications;
Analyze technologies and select appropriate solutions;
Select vendors and project manage the implementation projects;
Manage data center operations; and
Manage, monitor, and improve communications and services.

Following is a brief description of the main service areas provided by the Alfaisal University IT infrastructure department:

Wired Network:

The wired network of Alfaisal University is designed as a three-layer network: Core, Distribution, and Access layers. Communications between all layers is provided over fiber optics cables with a minimum speed of 10Gbps. The speed can be increased further depending on the academic and research needs and the expected load at the access layer.

The whole network is based on a robust and highly redundant design to assure a high level of networking availability and ability to accommodate future needs.

Wireless Network:

The entire campus of the University (including the outside areas and gardens) is covered by wireless network access based on IEEE 802.11b/g technology, which provides up to 54Mpbs access speed. All Wireless Access Points are centrally configured, managed, and monitored which enables a resilient, highly secure, mobile multi-service network.

Network management:

Alfaisal University has invested in an advanced network management solution that allows network administrators to centrally configure, update, monitor, and troubleshoot wired and wireless network devices. This centralized approach to wired and wireless management enables network monitoring and response to wired and wireless network threats and administration of security policies that are enforced at the edge of the network, regardless of how or where the user connects.

Network Security:

Alfaisal University has adopted a robust, scalable, and multitier security solution that primarily addresses: core connectivity, Internet connectivity, network admission control, and intrusion and malware protection. This solution also provides detailed reporting and diagnosing tools to proactively protect the university’s information assets and operations from possible security threats.

Unified Communications:

Alfaisal University has adopted a campus-wide Unified Communications solution that integrates telephony and multimedia applications with email, voicemail, and fax. This unified user experience will help users to work more efficiently, both as individuals and as members of workgroups. Furthermore, it will facilitate audio and video conferences to manage research and joint projects with peer members in the education sector at national, regional and international levels.

Storage Networking:

All database and mail servers are connected to a multi-tera byte central storage over a 4Gb end-to-end FibreChannel switches. The storage is centrally managed and backed up by an LTO-a Tape library. The entire solution is modular and redundant.