Local Area Network

The LAN Device Support service includes the following.

Hardware

LAN devices are classified by type and size. MNIT provides and supports the following LAN devices:

• Network switches with LAN connectivity up to 12, 24 or 48 devices.
• Core switches sized as small, medium, or large.
• Wireless devices including standard (indoor) and specialized (outdoor) access points.
• Wireless access points built into a router.
• Firewall hardware platform and management for executive branch agencies. 

Software

• Management and monitoring software tools and technologies associated with managing the local area network.

Support

• Planning, purchasing, management, upgrade, maintenance, and asset management of switches and wireless access points located at agency sites.
• Requirements analysis, functional specification development, and design for network expansions.
• Management and monitoring software tools and technologies for usage reporting, monitoring, performance analysis and reporting, and incident and problem management.
• Change management.
• Controlled access to equipment.
• IP address management.
• Capacity planning.
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).<</li>
• Vulnerability monitoring and management, and compliance with security policies.
• Management and provision of spare devices as needed.
• Network Time Protocol (NTP) – Find additional NTP information.
• Domain Name System (DNS) – Find additional DNS information.
• IPv6 space and support – Find additional IPv6 information.
• 24/7/365 support through the MNIT Enterprise Service Desk.

• Consultation with MNIT staff to understand Agency needs and technical environment, and determine appropriate device.
• Installation or configuration of a supported network switch or a core switch in an agency location.

Cable Installation includes consultation with MNIT staff to understand agency needs and technical environment and determine plan for cable installation:

• One-time cable installation at an agency location.
• The cost charged to the agency includes labor and materials.

LAN Professional Services may be provided on an as-needed basis for work efforts outside of normal support due to their size, scope, timing, or complexity.

• To order, contact MNIT Relationship Management, 651-556-0799 to define requirements and complete the required documentation.
• LAN Service is only available to executive branch agencies.
• MNIT may monitor the use of this service at any time and by any reasonable means. In providing services, MNIT reserves the right to take any action necessary to protect the integrity or security of state information technology systems, resources, or infrastructure.
• Required maintenance will be performed during standard maintenance windows, and MNIT will provide customers five business days advance notice. The standard maintenance windows for all locations for the LAN service are:
  • Monday – Friday: 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. CST
  • Saturday - 2 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST
• MNIT tracks the age of managed LAN equipment and replaces managed equipment that has reached scheduled end of life.
• Wireless network performance may vary based on location of a rooms, construction of the room, existing infrastructure, etc. Wireless LAN is a shared technology and offers no guarantees for consistent bandwidth or performance.
• For large construction, remodeling, and office moves, LAN architecture and detailed design work is conducted as a project and billed at Professional Services hourly rates.
• Installation, update, or repair of LAN wiring systems (cabling, wall plates, patch panels, etc.) are billed per installation using the Structured Cabling Installation rate.
• The cost of the design and planning of structured cabling/wiring used for LAN services is not included in the service rates. This activity would be conducted as a project and billed using professional services hourly rates.
• Any materials cost associated with installation or configuration is not included in the Structured Cabling Installation service offering.

• Designate a 24/7 point of contact for each building or campus LAN environment.
• Provide access to buildings, communications rooms, and other facilities as needed.
• Provide electrical power to LAN infrastructure devices.
• Ensure that each location meets MNIT’s minimum standards including documentation, wiring, power, HVAC, access, and security. Please contact the MNIT Enterprise Service Desk or MNIT Relationship Management (651-556-0799) for a detailed list of requirements.
• Use reasonable care to ensure that all LAN users only access the network using their own assigned user accounts.
• Contact the MNIT Enterprise Service Desk to report incidents or request assistance and provide sufficient relevant information to MNIT network technicians to enable effective troubleshooting and resolution of incidents.
• Agencies must submit service requests to MNIT in advance, as shown below:
  • Contact MNIT at least 30 days in advance if the agency needs new service installations or office moves to your existing network infrastructure.
  • Contact MNIT at least 60 days in advance when the network infrastructure does not yet exist, and the agency needs new service installations or office moves.  Longer advanced notice may be needed depending on customer requirements, location, vendor, etc. 
  • If the agency submits a request outside the advance notice requirements, MNIT may require approval from the agency’s leadership and their MNIT CBTO. Additional funding may be required to cover overtime, vendor fees, and other costs.