JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Localized computer network outages throughout Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph are likely in the coming weeks as a $3.5 million project to improve Randolph's communications infrastructure enters its final phase.
Crews from contractor Harris IT Services will replace existing network switches with new ones during the network switch migration/cutover phase, resulting in down times ranging from 15 minutes to two hours, depending on the location, Lloyd Mims, 902nd Communications Squadron information technology specialist, said.
"In most instances, it will be a smooth operation, with a minute to no down time, so people won't even notice," he said. "However, some installations will take an hour to two hours."
Mims said the 902nd CS infrastructure team will work with unit client support technicians and facility managers on the best times for scheduled outages, but he estimated the average notice of down time will only be about two days.
"Some organizations have asked us for two-week notification, if possible, but we won't be able to accommodate that," he said. "But we'll work with people to hone in on better times."
During down times, there will be no access to computers or phones that are part of the network, Mims said.
Formerly known as the Combat Information Transport System Information Transport Segment, the Base Information Transport Infrastructure is an Air Force-wide, multi-billion-dollar program of the Air Force Materiel Command Life Cycle Management Center Programs Office.
The network switch migration/cutover phase is the last part of Randolph's communications infrastructure upgrade that began in June with the installation of more than 40 miles of fiber-optic cable. The project will enhance connectivity to more than 140 mission support facilities, resulting in high-capacity transport of data, voice and video for Randolph users.
"The increase in bandwidth will make our end users happy because their computers will operate faster," Mims said.
The upgrade is scheduled to conclude June 24, but he said it may not be finished by that date because no overtime or weekend work is authorized.
Mims said every effort will be made to minimize the impact of the cutover phase, which will involve temporary inconveniences.
"We realize it's a hindrance to normal productivity, but we'll try to be as flexible as possible," he said. "Our hope is that, once we migrate to new equipment, the data transmission speeds will make up that lost time.
"We're trying not to disrupt your mission," Mims added. "We'll bring you up as fast as we can."
Projects like this enable the Air Force to "stay on technology's cutting edge," he said.
For more information, call Mims at 652-5009.