The network assessment work (stage 5 of our programme) is well underway. The various network distribution points necessitated the grouping of buildings to allow accurate assessment of the network infrastructure to allow connectivity of the APs to our network.         

Work streams have been identified to allow for project resource allocation and successful management of the network assessment work. However, we need to look at the full picture of each network distribution hub prior any decision to acquire network infrastructure, or to relocate existing network infrastructure to facilitate connectivity of the APs to our network.

As mentioned to you all earlier, this stage of the project will cause some delays to buildings where we need to upgrade the network infrastructure to cater for the entire distribution point as required to connect the APs. Hence we will start with the installations of the APs, cabling and peripherals to connect the APs to our network for those buildings that does not have any constraints at the network distribution point layer.

The project manager (Iain Robertson) will communicate with the relevant committee representative ahead of time for the installation of APs in the various Faculties/Departments; to ensure that the work anticipated does not influence any learning activities.

The attached spreadsheet indicates the work streams with the grouping of buildings, as well as estimated dates for completion of the network assessment for the specific network distribution point. Once the entire work stream has been completed, will we be in a position to determine the next stage start date towards installation of any required network infrastructure.

The network assessment for our Onderstepoort - and Groenkloof campus will be scheduled for this week, with the rest of the remote campuses to follow the following week. Again, for buildings were the network connectivity is in place and ports are available to connect the APs to our network, this piece of work will be scheduled.

We are also wrapping-up our final tests required for a secure authentication solutions, which will rectify the current authentication issues we have with the Windows 7&8 operating systems; this will be thoroughly tested prior commissioning WiFi access to our network.