Transforming a Historic Campus with Cisco Technology

How do you modernize a WWII-era airbase into a hub for cutting-edge research? At Texas A&M's RELLIS Technology & Innovation Center, the answer lies in Cisco technology.

At the heart of this transformation is Bradley Hoover, the Chief Information Officer, who spearheaded the overhaul of the campus's infrastructure. This journey showcases how a strategic approach to technology can revitalize an entire campus and support a diverse range of research endeavors.

Watch how Bradley Hoover, CIO, led the transformation of Texas A&M's RELLIS campus using Cisco technology to empower cutting-edge research and industry collaboration.

Revamping Infrastructure with Cisco's 5G Core

One of the first major steps in this transformation was the implementation of a private 5G core. This decision set the stage for pioneering 5G research on campus. As Hoover explained, "Nobody was doing 5G research within the campus. It was pretty easy to talk to the researchers, figure out exactly what it is that they needed and then look at implementing that with the Cisco 5G core."

This move not only set the RELLIS campus apart as a leader in 5G innovation but also laid the groundwork for a cohesive network strategy across the expansive 2300-acre facility.

Building a Unified Network

After establishing the 5G core, the focus shifted to unifying the network infrastructure. Hoover and his team chose a comprehensive Cisco solution, which included everything from edge routers to security policies. This decision ensured that the campus's infrastructure could support evolving research needs without the complications of managing multiple vendors. Hoover noted, "We wanted to have one vendor that we could go to, and Cisco really was the only one that had that end solution."

The result is a flexible, scalable network that can accommodate new buildings, labs, and research projects as they come online.

Unlocking New Possibilities for Research and Industry

The impact of these upgrades has been profound. Researchers now have the capability to explore previously unimaginable use cases, while industry partners can quickly test and validate new technologies in a real-world setting. Hoover highlighted, "It's allowed our researchers to bring in use cases that we never thought about. It's allowed industry to come in and do testing on technologies and see how it's going to fit within their particular use case."

Continuous Expansion and Future Readiness

As the campus continues to grow, so does the network's capacity. Hoover shared, "It's a continuous effort to try to increase that capability for all of those needs," reflecting the ongoing commitment to expanding the campus's technological infrastructure.

Hoover's journey offers valuable lessons in managing large-scale technological change. He emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration, advising, "It's about communication. Talk to them about what it is that you're trying to do. At the end of the day, what you're really trying to do is manage change."

The transformation of Texas A&M's RELLIS Campus illustrates how strategic deployment of Cisco technology can revitalize infrastructure and open new avenues for research and industry collaboration. It's a testament to the power of innovation and the importance of building a network that is ready for the future.

To learn more about how Cisco is impacting higher education and explore the solutions that can help transform your institution, visit Cisco in Higher Education and explore the Cisco Portfolio Explorer for Education.