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The University of Alabama has a switched gigabit network backbone (used for on-campus network traffic). That backbone connects University buildings to each other and to our outbound connections. We are approximately 70% of the way through a five-year plan to provide switched 100 megabit connectivity to University desktops. The campus network also provides service to part of The University of Alabama System.
Our highspeed Internet connection is through ITC Deltacom. The University is a charter member of the Internet2 project, connecting to the highspeed educational network through the Gulf Central GigaPop and the SURA Southern Crossroads (SoX). We are also a member of the Alabama Research and Education Network (AREN) and maintain a connection to that statewide network.
Some central servers also provide core network services, among them pairs of load-balanced LDAP and SMTP servers.
There are a few pilot projects in wireless connectivity on campus. These can be found in the University Libraries, in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, and in the Computer-Based Honors Program.
Enterprise Technology maintains a limited number of modems for dialup Internet access. These were recently upgraded to provide digital 56K connections. However, the UA Dialup service is not sufficient to provide service for heavy Internet users or families of faculty, staff, and students, all of whom should arrange service with commercial Internet service providers.
The Operations group monitors the University's network infrastructure to ensure availability.