MDREN has been planning a major network upgrade for some time. When completed the network will be able to provide up to 100GB of service to each campus. Phase one will include the router layer upgrade on each member campus and will start ahead of schedule. Expected equipment delivery was set for early fall 2024, but the gear will arrive early in June 2024 and work can start over the summer. The deployment plan is currently in development. We will be starting in Western Maryland, then the Eastern Shore, and finally in the Baltimore/DC area. The optical core is also under design and an RFP will be released in the next few months.

Campus network managers will be contacted in the next month or so to discuss plans for each campus router upgrade and gear configuration.