June 2006 IT News

U now Connected to National LambdaRail (NLR) Network

In May, the University of Utah added a 3rd high speed network connection to the campus' Network Access Point in the Eccles Broadcast Center. In addition to the commodity Internet and Abilene/Internet 2 research network, the U is now sending traffic over the National LambdaRail (NLR) research network. The NLR is a state-of-the-art fiber optic network that utilizes dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) technology, which splits light on a fiber into hundreds of wavelengths (lambdas) which can act as individual data pathways. This means a much higher bandwidth capacity of 10 gigbabits per second, and the ability for multiple dedicated data links running on the same fiber optic cable. The U became part of the NLR project via the Front Range GigaPoP, a coalition of Colorado universities and research institutions, which is already an NLR member.

Learn more about how the U will take advantage of this new network connection by reading the full press release at http://unews.utah.edu/p/?r=053106-1.

UTV now a part of Media SOlutions

University Television Service, or UTV, has moved. A part of NetCom and residing in Research Park until recently, it is now a part of the Media Solutions group, which is a more appropriate fit for the group which provides cable television programming to the University of Utah's housing and residential rooms, as well as several campus classrooms, offices, lounges, and university locations. UTV's online presence is now a part of the Media Solutions website. UTV is still under the Office of Information Technology umbrella.

In operation since 1999, UTV has grown from delivering television programming to a handful of housing buildings over coaxial cable to its current hybrid delivery via advanced fiber optic and coaxial cable distribution to over 50 buildings at the UofU, including Housing and Residential Education for students living on-campus, Huntsman Cancer Hospital and Orthopedics on upper campus, and the Park and LNCO buildings on lower campus.

UTV campus service includes over 80 channels of entertainment, news, international, and educational channels that support the overall collegiate experience of students living on campus as well as the academic and educational needs of the U.

UTV service, at its core, embodies all of the University's three general goals in the areas of teaching, research, and public life. Find out about UTV at it's new web address: www.media.utah.edu/utv. For more information or to discuss UTV services, contact John T. Wardle, UTV Manager, at 5-2003 or .

OIT Website has a new Search feature

With the help of the Media Solutions department, a search feature has been added to all 2nd-level web pages in the Office of Information Technology website. Take a look - just scroll up a bit and you'll see the Search box in the left navigation column.

You can now search for information in the entire OIT site from any of the non-Help Desk pages. The search feature on the Help Desk web pages continues to search Help Desk resources only. We hope this new option will help you find what you need on our site. Suggestions for the OIT website? Contact Mindy Tueller at .