Archived decisions

Contact: Jos Creese, Head of IT, 01962 847436 ([email protected])

3. Summary

3.1 The data network supporting the central `Castle' buildings lies at the heart of delivering Hantsnet to over 3000 staff and Members. It is critical that this service is based on up to date, robust and well managed equipment to reduce unplanned and planned service interruptions.

3.2 This report seeks approval for the purchase and replacement of core network infrastructure. Approval is sought to spend up to £700,000.

4. Reasons

4.1 The Castle Complex Network has grown over the years in response to the expanding use of the Hantsnet service among County Council departments. This piecemeal growth now requires an overall change to the design to ensure that the complexity can be better managed, resulting in fewer problems and risks to the services which use the Network. For example, where office moves takes place or new connections are required, it is not currently straightforward to set up connections or to trace faults quickly to source.

4.2 The existing Network is also unable to support new voice traffic protocols therefore limiting the opportunities to expand and improve the service. For example, technologies which support new ways of working such as flexible and remote access cannot easily be delivered over the current network design.

4.3 The proposed investment will:

o Ensure easier maintenance and development of network services;

o Improve performance & capacity of current service;

o Support new voice (telephone) services now required;

o Improve resilience, security and functionality of the network for Hantsnet users;

o Reduce costs of future development and growth.

4.4 The proposed changes will support currently foreseen requirements of the County Council and are capable of growth and adaptation as the County Council's requirements change. This includes more flexible access and the integration of voice and data services.

5. Scope of the refresh of the Castle Complex Network

5.1 Replacement of old Infrastructure

The Castle Complex Network is composed of wall sockets from which cabling runs back to a number of switch cabinets, which are in turn connected to the core network in the basement computer room. Part of this infrastructure dates back to 1992 and some of it is at the end of it's operational life. In some offices there are insufficient wall sockets for the number of printer and desktop connections required so an extension is used where multiple connections can be made to a Hub, usually placed on the floor under a desk, which then has the one connection to a wall socket. In order to continue to provide resilient data services in the Castle complex the equipment and some of the wiring needs to be re-designed and replaced.

Some of the older wiring in the Castle complex is not able to support the volume of data now being transmitted. This will need to be replaced to the current internal standard of CAT5e wiring which is capable of support.

5.2 Network Performance Management

The equipment currently used is a wide range of types and ages, having evolved over the past 14 years. It is difficult to manage as a structured service. Modern switches can be integrated with our core network and network management tools which support earlier performance management, diagnostics, fault finding & repair, and network planning. This will improve network performance management and potentially reduce costs.

5.3 Improved network access security

The existing Castle Complex Network cannot be managed in such a way as to prevent staff from connecting potentially untested equipment. For example, a member of staff could connect a personal device to the network and inadvertently introduce a virus or other malicious code which would be costly in terms of service interruption and remedy.

This risk can be substantially reduced by suitable management of a redesigned Network. For example the network will be sectioned by floor in Elizabeth II Court, which would restrict any malicious code to devices in the section it was introduced. This is common practice in any well-run IT infrastructure.

5.4 Design flexibility and resilience

The current network structure is not a cohesive design that can be expanded or altered easily, partly due to the limitations and capabilities of the hardware available at the time of the changes over the years. The network structure needs to be re-designed to make best use of current technology, to simplify the structure, make fault finding easier and reduce the overall cost of growth in connections. The existing structure has multiple single points of failure. The new design will seek to add resilience and minimise the effects and costs of hardware failure.

5.5 Links to other projects

A separate proposal is seeking approval to purchase and install a new Internet Protocol (IP) telephony system to replace the aged BTEX telephone service. In order for the Castle Complex Network to support this service, the current infrastructure requires upgrading to enable Voice traffic from the phones to travel with the existing Data traffic providing Hantsnet, over the Network. The current infrastructure does not have provision for providing the required power supply to connect the phones directly to the Network or the Quality of Service (QoS) which prioritises the Voice traffic over the Data, to ensure a smooth flowing voice conversation.

Upgrade of the core network will also be necessary to support the `Hantsdirect' Corporate Contact Centre project where links to the current telephone system will be important.

There is also a link to the Ashburton Court refurbishment project where flexible technology infrastructure will be necessary in order to support new ways of working and mobile working technologies.

6. Legal implications

None.

7. Financial implications

The current estimate from the Council's HPSN managed service contractor, Unisys, is £550,000 for all hardware and installation services. In addition, it is estimated that approximately £150,000 will need to be spent on other internal implementation costs. This brings the total budgetary figure to £700,000. This will be funded from existing resources and savings enabled by the new investment. No new funding is required.

8. Personnel implications

The upgrade work will affect all users on the sites as there will be scheduled shutdowns to manage the handover to the new network, resulting in no access being available to the network at those sites. These shutdowns will be agreed and published in advance and will take place over weekends and evenings to ensure minimum disruption.

9. Impact assessment

A race and equality impact assessment of the project has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

10. Crime prevention issues

An assessment was made on this project considering the impact of the work on Crime prevention and it is considered that the enhanced security of the network would be beneficial in preventing the spread of viruses by providing the ability to quickly track and isolate any virus or malicious code.

11. Views of the Local County Councillor

None sought. The proposals here relate to provision of network services in support of County Council business on the Winchester Castle complex.

Recommendations

That the Executive Member grants permission for:

The expenditure from existing budget of £700,000 for the replacement of the Winchester Castle Complex data network.

OR

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

None.