Converged Communications Services at Northwestern
New technologies have made it possible to provide multiple communication services through one network, while improving the usability and security of the University network. The Converged Communications Services Project, which is in its second year and slated to conclude in 2011, was created to take advantage of these new telecommunication technologies.
NUIT has implemented a phased approach to upgrade the communications system without disrupting the currently communication system. A phased approach will have the least impact on faculty, staff, and students.
This quarter, Northwestern has taken more steps toward the completion of the Converged project. Initial upgrades to Chicago campus communications systems are complete. This upgrade allows the Evanston and Chicago telecommunications systems to move information between campuses faster. As well as allow each campus to act as a backup system for the other campus if a disaster should occur.
The upgrade at the Chicago campus paves the way for the first Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones to go into production after the new year at the Chicago campus (210 South Clark and 645 North Michigan). The VoIP phones utilize the same programming as the Internet to relay phone calls, allowing the University to combine the Internet and phone system into one network. Existing telephone service will remain along side the new VoIP phones.
The next phase will include upgrading the VoIP network to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). SIP will allow users to utilize Internet telephone calls, multimedia distribution, and multimedia conferences.
Once completed, the University expects the Converged Communications Services Project to give faculty and staff greater mobility and new ways of communicating.
For more information about on going projects and project updates, go to the NUIT Converged Communications Initiative Web site.
