Update on the Major Upgrade of the University Campus Network

In the last issue of the Computer News (No. 76), we have reported the completion status of the three phases of the University Campus Network development. We noted that Phase I (installation of network points in the residential halls) upgrade was completed in January 1998, and that Phases II and III upgrades (replacement of coaxial network cable by UTP cables and ACEnet points installation, respectively), with the exception for premises in the Queen Mary Hospital, were also completed in November 1998.

Progress in QMH

Cabling work has started on 6/F Professorial Block since mid-December last year, in line with the ceiling-replacement project conducted by the Architectural Services Department. Installation of cables is also being carried out in the Main Block where the installation schedule in the ward areas is being worked out with the respective ward operation staff.

For Blocks J, K, L and the Nursing School, we are still working closely with the contractor and the Government's Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to resolve issues of the installation of electrical sockets for ACEnet points.

We will report on further progress in the next issue of the Computer News.

Network Interface Cards (NIC) Replacement

Following the replacement of coaxial network cables by UTP cables, the Computer Centre has been working with a contractor to install new Fast Ethernet network interface cards for the departments' Pentium computers which were still using the 10Mbps coaxial cables. Now the exercise is nearing its end with about 1800 network cards installed. We would like to express our thanks to each department's Project Coordinator and users for their patience and support.

The network card replacement exercise will also be carried out in the Queen Mary Hospital as soon as the Phase II network cables upgrade is completed there.

T.Y. Shen
Tel: 2241 5229
E-mail: sty@cc.hku.hk