Benefits

Information Services and Technology (IST) has partnered with Cisco on the next generation of networking for the University of Manitoba. The new Cisco Software-Defined Access network and its associated technologies will improve network security, stability, and ease of use for all students, staff and faculty. Our IT support staff will also see improvements in administration, automation and analysis.

Migration schedule

Cisco is our primary supplier and designer. In association with university staff, they will be responsible for the overall design and implementation of the first seven buildings selected to pilot the migration. IST will use the knowledge gained through this process to complete the remaining buildings. 

The project team will start the migrations with a phased approach in May 2023. 

Pilot buildings and migration dates

Building name Migration date
ARTlab May 1 - May 21
Pembina Residence May 23 - June 2
Pathology June 10 - June 18
Drake June 25 - July 16
Fletcher Argue July 17 - July 31
Dentistry September 16
Brodie October 14

The schedule outlined above may change depending on their experience with each migration. Please visit this page often for project and schedule updates.

FAQs Frequently asked questions

Will there be an increase in network speed?

Not with initial deployment.

Do you have a question or concern about the project that should be included? Contact project manager Blair Dagdick.

Technical support

During each migration, the building’s local IT Administrator(s) will be the first point of contact for technical support, and the project’s networking team will be onsite to assist the administrators.

Self-help

The network protocol associated with the new Software-Defined Access network is called 802.1x. In some cases, staff and students may have to set up the 802.1x client on their desktop or laptop computer to access the new network. Please refer to Configuring and connecting to the Software-Defined Access (SDA) network (PDF) for detailed setup and connection instructions.

Contact us

Call or chat
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Call 204-474-8600 or Chat now
To report a critical system outage after hours or on weekends and holidays, call 204-474-8600 and press 2.

IST Service Desk walk-in service
123 Fletcher Argue
University of Manitoba, Fort Garry
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Join the queue: Fort Garry WaitWell or text your name to 431-631-0844

230 Neil John Maclean Library
University of Manitoba, Bannatyne
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Join the queue: Bannatyne WaitWell or text your name to 431-631-6555