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July 10, 2026

Summer 2026 Data Center Network Refresh

This summer, UWIT will replace the end-of-support core and aggregation network infrastructure in the UW Tower and 4545 data centers. These data centers support critical services across the University, and the work is planned to be completed before the Autumn Quarter.

Why This Matters

The current data center core and aggregation network equipment is aging and due for planned lifecycle replacement.

This means:

  • No further security patches or vendor fixes
  • Increased operational and security risk over time
  • Higher likelihood of avoidable service disruption if the equipment remains in place
  • Reduced ability to maintain a reliable and resilient data center network

This refresh addresses one of our largest avoidable infrastructure risks.

Planned Timing

Work will occur during coordinated Sunday maintenance windows from mid-July until September 20th, before the start of the Autumn Quarter.

The schedule is intentionally aligned with summer break to reduce impact.

Expected Impacts

  • Core and aggregation work may briefly impact each data center, generally seconds to under a minute.
  • Each rack migration should cause a service impact of roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Some customers may experience additional impact if applications are dependent on other services or systems as those are migrated.
  • UWIT is creating a Data Center Rack Migration Matrix to map available rack, customer, contact, and maintenance window information. Partner teams will be asked to verify the data, identify missing contacts, and flag special timing, validation, or dependency considerations.
  • No direct hospital or patient care impact is expected, though academic and campus services that UW Medicine relies on may be affected.
  • Our goal is to minimize disruption while completing necessary lifecycle replacement work

What We Need from Leaders and Colleagues

  • Support from senior leaders and partners will help ensure affected teams engage with UWIT during planning.
  • Please reinforce that this work is necessary to reduce risk, maintain reliability, and complete the refresh before the Autumn Quarter.
  • Because rack, subnet, and billing records are manually maintained and may not reflect current contacts, UWIT will rely on campus partner IT teams to verify the matrix.

Questions?

Please share your feedback, questions, or concerns with us via this form.