019/2018E Network Core Replacement and Ongoing Equipment Supply, Support & Services - AWARD

The department supports about 3000 staff, 28000 students and has around 7500 managed laptop and desktop client devices. These are split across approximately 85% that use the wired network infrastructure and 15% that use wireless. The current network core is a Juniper EX8208 virtual chassis, with 3 x 8208 devices as member switches with a pair of XRE200 external routing engines acting as a collapsed core/distribution layer.

The UWE network consists of approximately 700 switches over 6 sites. These access layer switches are distributed amongst 133 communications rooms on the various campus with the bulk of these switches installed on the Frenchay campus. These switches are connected to the core across a single mode fibre link. The remote sites have local site routers. These remote site routers connect to the main Frenchay campus via private circuits, with OSPF used as the routing protocol.

The University is initially seeking to purchase a replacement Juniper core, encompassing equipment supply, configure and commissioning of the new equipment. Upon successful completion of this procurement, the University intends to enter into an initial three-year combined general supply, support and services contract with the same supplier, with the option to extend for a further 12-month period, dependent on annual satisfactory performance of the contract.