Harvard Offers Sneak Peek Into Their Network

Bob Brown writes "Harvard University doesn't usually talk much about its internal network, but here, the guy overseeing it opens up about the homegrown and commercial tools used to manage the massive system." From the article: "Harvard, as of late, has been exhibiting another telco trait - considering the network as part of the university's critical infrastructure. As such, its construction is considered during the initial planning phases of building renovation, new construction and campus expansion projects. The data networks that are being built today, at Harvard and similar institutions, are being built to host a variety of IP-based traffic. Most every physical-plant control device, whether it be security cameras, chilled water-valve actuators or parking garage card readers, are being designed to work with the IP network"

Comments

Re:I'd like to work there.

[TubeSteak]

They have the money to do everything properly!
I can't remember the last /. article where that actually happened.

Documentation - Check
Test Environment - Check
Disaster Recovery Tests - Check
Inform the Users - Check

They made a really good move hiring someone from the Telephone Industry. Nothing like having someone used to managing critical infrastructure in charge of your biz.

Why?

[Mr. Freeman]

What's the point of being able to control a cold water valve actuator through the internet? Wiring everything into their internet servers just creates a lot more problems when something goes down.

If a server goes down you would expect that internet access would not work. But now if a server goes down you can't access the internet and you can't get water either. Considering the fact that most networks are poorly configured anyway, the amount of problems that could be generated from something like this far outweigh the ability to actuate a cold water valve through the network,

Re:Why?

[Anonymous Coward]

Why would you want to control an actuator valve remotely? Because in the event of an emergency you can respond a lot faster by pressing a few keys than you can by sending a man out to do it for you. It is also cheaper for maintenance purposes. I know a valve doesn't sound very complex but when you talk about an entire system, especially a loop that serves multiple buildings it all adds up. It also allows you to monitor the system and tune it so that you aren't wasting energy. There are other reasons too but there are some major ones.

In addition most networks for controlling critical building services are separated physically from the rest of the network. And even if the network were to go down the valves or equipment would be set to fail in a certain position ensuring not only safe operation but continued service.