Our Network

The university has an extensive data network. Two T-1 Lines connect the campus to the Internet and World Wide Web. Of the many networked servers, a majority run Microsoft Windows 2003 with a few running Microsoft Windows NT. Included in the network is a server for e-mail system, a backup application system, anti-virus and other security software applications.

Desktop Computing
Of the approximately 370 administrative desktops, 100 laptops, 95 printers, 32 copiers, and 193 desktop computers located in various academic labs, the University is positioned for future growth.

Networking Computing
The University’s three-tier client-server technology is based upon simple Web-browser technology which simplifies access to information and provides a low-cost means to deliver applications. A fall 2001 initiative set in place a means where students can now register for classes over the Web, check grades, and retrieve e-mail. Additionally, the University’s CampusWeb student information system provides a good example of the range of applications that can be delivered using new network computing architecture. A major benefit for technology is the introduction of new services which will clearly assist the administrative units by allowing IT to integrate old and new applications transparently. Future networking computing will include the ICIS Datatel’s WebAdvisor for faculty and student degree audit functionality. The new administrative software will also provide new powerful data access tools and web-based applications with additional support to new data sources.

  • Networked Servers - The 35+ University servers are of a high quality and all pieces are in good physical working condition with more than adequate processing power and speed.
  • Radios - The University currently has 32 Speedlan XE wireless routers (802.11b) with three high power non-line of sight radios. Within the next five year, fiber optic cabling with a speed of 55Mps will be run to existing buildings and dormitories as the current radios are becoming obsolete with time.
  • Access Points - Allowing mobile stations to roam, the campus currently has 107 Orinoco AP-1000 (Wavelan II) access points to give wireless stations access to the wired Ethernet LAN.
  • Hubs - Two campus hubs switch data from servers to routers.
  • Routers - Seven routers forward data packets along the network to service the University community.
  • Firewall - The network is secured with a CISCO PIX-515, 32 MB RAM, CPU Pentium 200 MHz firewall.
  • Packet Shaper - A packet shaper, linked to the firewall, manages and shapes data packets.
  • Exchange Servers - Three Microsoft Exchange servers handle email activity and consist of a front server and two back-end servers. In September 2004, a backup strategy was developed for these servers to house backup stores on alternate computers to allow for an exchange cluster in the event of a failure or deployment.

Academic Computing
The University promotes and enables educational improvement through the use of computers and other information technologies while providing a wide variety of facility support to faculty, students, and staff. Academic computing at Virginia Union University promotes curriculum enhancement through the application of information technology where faculty can advise and assist students in the use of information technology for the creation, organization, analysis, and presentation required coursework.