Main Switch Replacement Project for 10Gb Support

Faculty 10-Gigabit Network Expansion Project – Status and Updates

Update on the status of the communication infrastructure and 10-Gigabit switches upgrade project across the faculty.

Introduction

As part of the university-wide trend to increase bandwidth and improve computing infrastructure, Single Mode optical fibers have been deployed in recent years by the Computing and Information Technology Department across various faculty buildings. To support this infrastructure and provide fast data transfer rates, main switches supporting 10-Gigabit speeds were installed in all faculty buildings. These switches serve as the backbone of the local communication network, enabling the feeding and daisy-chaining of bandwidth to the rest of the floors and laboratories according to administrative and research needs.

At this stage, there are no optical lines from the computing department building to the buildings located across the road (outside the campus). This means that the Botanical Garden, the Zoological Garden, and the Cereal Institute cannot currently receive 10-Gigabit speeds. There are future plans to execute this project, but the faculty prepared for this in advance and equipped the main communication racks of these buildings with 10-Gigabit compatible switches.

So why 10 Gigabit? (And what is the big advantage over 1 Gigabit?)

If we imagine the communication network as a highway, a 1-Gigabit network is like a single-lane road – it provides an excellent solution for routine office work, but the moment one lab tries to transfer huge files, a "traffic jam" is created that affects the entire building. Transitioning to a 10-Gigabit network creates a wide expressway with significant advantages:

Unprecedented file transfer speed: Massive data files (such as high-resolution microscopy scans, genetic sequences, or complex databases), which previously required long hours of transfer and waiting, now transfer within a few minutes.
Preventing bottlenecks (Concurrency): The network can handle dozens of high-performance devices performing download and upload operations simultaneously, without any user experiencing a slowdown or a drop in connection stability.
Support for advanced research: Modern workloads based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, advanced image processing (Imaging), and Big Data analysis require immediate data availability. A 10-Gigabit infrastructure is a prerequisite for running these systems smoothly.

Where has the upgrade of the main switches already been completed?

The main switches upgrade project has been successfully completed and is currently deployed in all faculty buildings. The new infrastructure is already fully operational in the Sherman, Britannia, and Green buildings. Thanks to this broad deployment, any floor or floor-level communication rack in these buildings can now receive a fast network feed as needed.

As part of this initiative, the main switch in the Cereal Institute—which effectively serves as the main switch and power feed for the Botanical Garden as well—was also upgraded. This enables the opening and availability of 10-Gigabit connections in both of these sites. The main switch in the Zoological Garden was also upgraded. These upgrades will allow a transition to 10 Gigabit once the optical lines are deployed by the Computing Department.

Are there already labs or departments specifically connected to 10 Gigabit?

Yes. Beyond the main building switches, additional 10-Gigabit switches were recently purchased and installed at endpoints for specific research needs requiring particularly high bandwidth:

Sherman Building, 1st floor: Purchased and installed for Prof. Asya Rolls' lab.
Sherman Building, 2nd floor: Purchased and installed for the School of Zoology researchers.
Sherman Building, 4th floor: Purchased and installed for the neurobiology researchers' labs on the floor, led by Dr. Anan Moran and Prof. Mark Shein.
Sherman Building, 6th floor: In use by Dr. Saurav Mallik's lab.
Sherman Building, 7th floor: In use by Dr. Hagar Lavian's lab.
Britannia Building, 1st floor: Purchased and installed for the faculty's Interdepartmental Equipment facility, providing fast access to shared scientific equipment.
Britannia Building, 5th floor: In use by Dr. Dor Ross's lab.
Green Building, 1st floor: In use by Dr. Idan Frumkin's lab.

Our lab is also interested in upgrading to a 10-Gigabit switch, what is the cost?

The cost of dedicated 10-Gigabit endpoint switches is relatively high. It is impossible to commit to an exact and final price, as the equipment models approved in tenders change frequently, and the market prices for these components are unstable. As a general reference point, the cost of a dedicated 48-port switch currently hovers around 25,000 NIS.

In addition to the switch itself, the costs of accompanying endpoint equipment must be considered: to utilize the full speed, the lab computers must be capable of receiving it. It is important to know that new computers, including those purchased through the university's price list—and essentially any new computer purchased today even outside the price list—do not come with a built-in 10-Gigabit network card by default.

This means that for every computer you wish to connect to the high-speed network, you will need to purchase and install a dedicated internal network card, at an additional cost of about 500 to 1,000 NIS per card. This is, of course, in addition to the potential need for installing suitable network points under the CAT 6A standard or higher and using compatible patch cables.

How can we advance connecting a lab to this speed?

If the nature of the research in your lab requires transitioning to the fast endpoint infrastructure, or if you are about to purchase new computing equipment or servers, we highly recommend consulting with us in advance. We would be happy to examine your technological needs together, check the readiness of the physical infrastructure in your floor's communication rack, and assist in specifying the appropriate equipment.

To tailor the switch to your lab's needs and check funding options, please contact Keren Isaac, Head of the IT Unit at: kerenis@tauex.tau.ac.il