University of Colorado (CU)  

Challenge

The network connecting the main data center for the University of Colorado (CU) with its two remote sites had aged, and CU began to look for a more reliable and scalable solution. Security was also a vital issue: the remote sites have departments that handle sensitive University data, and CU wanted a solution that did not need to traverse public, unsecured networks.

Solution

CU deployed Qwest Metro Optical Ethernet (Qwest MOE-QC) to connect its main data center in Boulder, Colorado, with its remote sites in Boulder and in Denver. All three sites serve staff members who perform key functions for the operation of the University.

Benefits and Results:

• Security is vital, and is enhanced by the ability to segregate traffic for different purposes
• The Qwest network is stable, solving the reliability problems of the previous solution
• The complete end-to-end solution saves staff resources and time
• Network performance enhances productivity for teams including Web developers
• Support costs are down with the consolidation on one Qwest-hosted service that includes hardware and operational support
• Scalability provides future flexibility when more bandwidth is needed

Client

Founded in 1876, the University of Colorado is recognized as a national leader in education and research. Three CU campuses provide a vibrant educational environment for more than 52,000 students from across the nation and around the world. The students and more than 4,000 faculty and staff members rely on the CU network to meet wide-ranging data and communications.