Service Restored: MAC Address Conversion

In preparation for the replacement of the router at the Computing Center data center, Network Operations will convert the MAC (Media Access Control) address associated with the current router’s gateway IP to the new router on Saturday, August 10 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. All servers in the data center will need to update their ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) table to accommodate this change, with the exception of those servers using the Computing Center data center firewall as their gateway address.

Impact

While we have a high level of confidence that the servers in the Computing Center data center will be able to automatically and seamlessly update their ARP tables, it is possible that some may require manual intervention such as a configuration change or reboot to reset their ARP tables. For this reason, there will be onsite monitoring and problem resolution in case any issues arise.

Scope

Network Operations is pursuing a three-phase approach to a network infrastructure upgrade that will improve reliability and growth capacity within the OIT data center. The first phase, a series of network connection moves that is detailed at www.colorado.edu/oit/service-alert/router-replacement-7.22.13, has been underway since July 22. The second phase, the MAC address change, is detailed in this service alert. More details and expected impacts of the third phase will be provided as information becomes available.

Affected Services

All servers located in the Computing Center data center that are not behind the center’s firewall, as well as all services that are dependent on these servers.

For More Information

If you have questions about this maintenance, please contact the IT Service Center at help@colorado.edu or call 303-735-4357 (5-HELP from a campus phone). During the summer email and phone help is available Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6:00 p.m. Learn more at www.colorado.edu/oit/service-center.