Elgin to improve computer networks

Elgin City Councilmen will discuss upgrades to the city’s computer network and wireless capability at Wednesday’s committee of the whole meeting.

The current network is outdated and the wireless system is less efficient than it could be, prompting almost $300,000 worth of improvements, officials say.

The Cisco network switches that have been operating within the city since 2003 are becoming outdated. Cisco will stop providing technical assistance in May 2011, leaving the city without vendor support.

Jeff Massey, Elgin’s Information Technology Services director, is advocating an upgrade across the board instead of replacing individual switches as they fail in coming years.

“If I do one by one, I have to buy the most downward compatible product,” Massey said. “I can never take advantage of the new technology.”

By replacing the whole system, Elgin will have a faster, more advanced network that Massey said may help with productivity.

Massey also said replacing one at a time would end up being more expensive than buying in bulk.

Favorable pricing by Converging Networks Group will come in $135,000 under budget. The city will pay $265,000 for equipment and first-year maintenance.

The wireless changes will give public access at 12 city buildings from a single central network. Currently there are more than a dozen access points that all require separate passwords and are harder to manage from the IT standpoint.

Massey said the new system will be an improvement for staff and visitors, allowing Wi-Fi access in 12 city buildings.

City councilmen will discuss a contract with Sayers40 Inc. for the Wi-Fi project, which will include equipment and the first year’s maintenance, for a total cost of $33,939.

The technology upgrade discussions will take place at the city’s committee of the whole meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin.