CSU Bolsters Continuity Plan with Infrastructure Management Software

The California State University system this week said it's deployed Planet IRM enterprise software on 10 of its 23 campuses as part of an effort to bolster its business continuity efforts in a "massive system-wide upgrade of its network infrastructure."

CSU's upgrade includes, among other things, new fiber, routing and switching equipment, and WAN access support. The Planet IRM ("Infrastructure Relationship Management") software, from Planet Associates, helps track the quipment, cable connections, maps, and other information in a relational database for data viz, analysis, and management.

"Ideally, we wanted a solution for our infrastructure upgrade that not only allows more accurate assessment of technologies needed for various installations but one designed to help the university system rebuild more easily should it ever face damage to a facility in the future," said Charlotte Ferguson, CSU systems analyst, in a statement released this week. "When it comes time to rebuild after a system disruption, or if someone inadvertently cuts a line, we should know instantly what it will take to get the campus back up and running. This is an important part of our business continuity plan."

Campuses and facilities that have been equipped with the Planet IRM sytem include Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Pomona, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, and San Marcos, as well as the chancellor's office, located in Long Beach.

CSU will add Planet IRM on three more campuses this year, including Bakersfield, Fullerton, and San Francisco. The system serves a total of about 450,000 students in California and employs about 46,000 faculty and staff.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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