Washington University in St. Louis is making bold strides in transforming its digital infrastructure through the ambitious Network Modernization Project. Launched in November 2024, this initiative is reshaping the university’s technological landscape by replacing outdated network equipment with state-of-the-art systems designed to meet the demands of a modern, connected academic environment.
The project is a cornerstone of WashU’s commitment to innovation and excellence, aligning with WashU’s Here & Next and IT’s ImpacT strategic plans. With a tenfold increase in bandwidth, the new network infrastructure is built to support the growing reliance on cloud-based services, high-speed research applications, and the ever-expanding number of connected devices used by students, faculty, and staff.
By March 2025, the project had already reached several major milestones. More than 40 buildings across the Danforth and Medical campuses had been upgraded, with thousands of devices transitioned to the new network. These upgrades included the installation of core network switches, significantly improving speed, reliability, and coverage.
Beyond performance, the modernization also enhances security. The new system introduces advanced protections such as network segmentation, which helps isolate sensitive data and reduce the risk of cyber threats. Centralized management and automation tools are also being implemented to streamline operations and ensure the network remains agile and responsive to future needs.
During the Summer 2025 semester, the Network Modernization team made significant progress by completing upgrades in 35 buildings across WashU campuses. This included several residence halls, with work strategically scheduled while students were away to minimize disruption. These enhancements will have a noticeable impact when students return for the Fall 2025 semester, offering faster and more reliable wired connections in residential spaces—supporting everything from academic collaboration to everyday streaming. In addition to residence halls, several buildings within the McKelvey School of Engineering were also modernized, ensuring that faculty, researchers, and students in those facilities benefit from the same high-performance, secure network environment.
Ultimately, this transformation is about more than just technology—it’s about empowering the WashU community. Whether it’s enabling cutting-edge research, supporting hybrid learning environments, or simply ensuring a seamless digital experience across campus, the Network Modernization Project is laying the foundation for a smarter, more secure, and more connected future for WashU.
For updates and building-specific schedules, visit the Network Modernization Project website.