Meetinghouse Network Upgrade

Summary

In the coming months, your unit's building will receive a network and Wi‑Fi upgrade to provide a faster internet (according to need and availability), and a more secure and reliable network experience for everyone. As part of this work, some physical network jacks will be removed or disabled. Devices in leaders’ offices, clerk offices, and other locations—such as resource centers—may need to connect to the Wi‑Fi network after the upgrade.

Purpose(s)

• Improved teaching and learning experiences- This upgrade is designed to support gospel learning by improving the ability to stream Church videos for lessons, live meeting broadcasts, and provide a backbone for translation technologies. The entire building will receive enhanced Wi‑Fi coverage. And where internet speed increases are needed, they will be increased, based on the availability of faster service plans.
• Wireless preferred- The benefits of a wireless preferred approach include flexibility for the end-users and long-term cost savings for the Church. Network drops are expensive to install, maintain, and upgrade, far exceeding the cost of the networking hardware itself. By minimizing the number network jacks, we reduce the overall cost of the network. And by increasing the number of access points in meetinghouses, the end-users will find greater flexibility for the placement of equipment and other uses of the network.
• Device security and continued operation- The access points (MR33) and switches (MS120) in most meetinghouses will no longer be supported by Meraki and need to be replaced. By upgrading the equipment on schedule, we ensure continued operation, as well as security updates.

Scope

• Replace expiring, obsolete, and unsupported hardware.
• Provide comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage throughout each meetinghouse.
• Ensure cabling meets the Cat6A standard.
• Install a network cable to the rear of each chapel to enable streaming now or in the future. (Cameras not provided as part of this project. Just the network connection).
• Ensure internet speeds are at least 500 Mbps- Where internet service providers are available at a reasonable price.
• Provide a standard, clean, and orderly networking rack.
• Ensure rack locations meet local building code requirements, are secure, and have sufficient air flow.
• Re-install and configure network in CNM. Vendor is to ensure the network is functional.
• Provide helpful artifacts in CNM: Network diagrams, cable test results, pictures of the rack and location, and more.
• Fill holes in ceiling tiles, and patch holes in walls from old equipment.
• Vendors are required to remove old equipment and cabling.

How to prepare

• Ensure all of your devices are Wi-Fi ready. This includes:
  • Clerk computers
  • Printers
  • Copy machines in the Materials Resource Center
  • Smart TV's and set-top streaming devices
  • Any other device your unit depends on for Church purposes
• You may need to purchase an ethernet to Wi-Fi adapter from a local retailer if your device (eg copier) doesn't have built-in wireless.
• In some rare cases, you might need to upgrade or replace older equipment.
• As a contingency, note the IP and Mac addresses of any devices with static IP assignments. This upgrade should NOT affect IP ranges. But in rare cases, IP assignments might be affected. If you make note ahead of time, you'll be able to re-assign devices post-installation.
• *Note* If your network still includes a FAC16 zone (Facility zone with 16 addresses), please upgrade at your earliest convenience to a FAC32 zone, through the "upgrade IP range" link in Church Network Manager (CNM). This change can be made irrespective of the network upgrade, but you will definitely need to make a note of all devices, in particular door access systems that have a static IP reservation assigned. Write down their Mac addresses and their IP addresses, and follow the in-app instructions to ensure a successful upgrade.

What to do after the installation

• Please utilize CNM to ensure the network is functioning properly, and all necessary devices are connected to the network
• *Note*: You do not need to fix issues with the physical installation. Contact your Facility Manager, who will require the contractors to address any of the following issues:
  • Damaged or dead cables
  • Cables installed in walkways or present any kind of a safety hazard
  • Cables run or access points that appear to be installed in the wrong place
  • Old obsolete cables or hardware (access points) that were not removed after being disconnected
  • Unpatched holes in the ceilings or walls.
  • Other damage or clutter from the installation that was not repaired or removed by the vendor

Frequently Asked Questions

• Question: Which kinds of facilities are included in this network upgrade initiative?
• Answer: All meetinghouses, FM offices, and standard Family History Centers (FHC)
• Question: Will this make my internet faster?
• Answer: The newer equipment is capable of incrementally faster throughput. Additionally, ICS is also working with Internet Service Providers (ISP's) to increase speeds where available and financially feasible. The target speeds are at least 500Mbps download, and at least 100Mbps upload. This is highly dependent on the availability of ISP's at the site.
• Question: What about the network jack in the pulpit?
• Answer: The network jack at the pulpit may not be reconnected as part of this project. While the pulpit is part of the AV system, if the existing cable does not reach the new or current network rack location, it may remain disconnected until the AV system is replaced or upgraded.
• Question: Will my network rack be moved?
• Answer: Generally, network racks will be left in place. The following reasons might require a network rack to be relocated:
  • To meet building code safety requirements
  • Improve security (behind a locked door)
  • Ensure a clean, safe environment with sufficient airflow for cooling
• Question: Are there any exclusions?
• Answer: Buildings proposed for redeployment within 2 years of the scheduled upgrades will not be upgraded.
• Question: How are the network upgrades being funded?
• Answer: The Meetinghouse Facilities Department is funding all network upgrades included in this project. FM groups will not be invoiced for this project.
• Question: How long does an upgrade take?
• Answer: The average upgrade takes approximately 2-3 days for an individual site. However, because each site is unique, this will vary.
• Question: Will we know exactly when the vendors will be at each location to upgrade the networks?
• Answer: Vendors have been asked to inform FM groups with a 2 week window, but with so many upgrades happening simultaneously, this is difficult to enforce.
• Question: What if any current Meraki equipment breaks before the new equipment is installed? Is there a contingency plan?
• Answer: FMs should use operations funds to do a 1:1 replacement of any Meraki equipment (firewall, switch or access point) that malfunctions before the network upgrade is performed. This helps ensure the church adheres to international accounting regulations (FS6110).
• Question: How are network upgrades being funded?
• Answer: MFD is funding all network upgrades through a HQ-sponsored initiative. FM groups will not be invoiced for this project.
• Question: What time of day will the vendors perform the work?
• Answer: The work typically is performed during business hours, so units shouldn’t see vendor technicians, ladders, wires, etc. during evening or weekend activities.
• Question: How many access points will each building get?
• Answer: ICS has generated heatmaps based on the floorplan of each building, and will install the appropriate number of access points to ensure comprehensive coverage. Most buildings will receive between 7-9, with larger buildings receiving more, and smaller buildings requiring fewer.
• Question: Why are my access points placed where they are?
• Answer: Each meetinghouse has been reviewed for uniform wireless coverage, and a heatmap for each standard plan and custom plan has been developed. The installers have been instructed to follow the heatmaps for AP placement in each building and are allowed to install each AP within 3 feet of the locations identified on each heatmap.
• Question: Will any IP addresses change as a result of the upgrade?
• Answer: Vendors have been provided with instructions that will preserve IP addresses on the network. If you find that your IP addresses have changed, please communicate that through your FM. *NOTE*: If your network still contains a FAC16 zone, we encourage you to select the "Upgrade IP range" link in CNM and upgrade to a FAC32 zone as soon as possible. Please be sure to not any IP reservations as instructed in the onscreen dialogues when doing this upgrade. This process will change your IP addresses, but is not part of the process assigned to vendors.
• Question: What equipment will still be connected to the network with cabling?
• Answer: If these systems listed below are currently connected to the network at the time the network is upgraded, they will continue to be connected to the network with cabling:
  • Audio/visual systems, including cameras mounted in approved locations in the chapel
  • Door access systems
  • HVAC systems and controls
• Question: What cables will NOT be reconnected after the network upgrade?
• Answer: You will need to connect the following devices to the Wi-Fi network:
  • Clerk/bishop offices computers and printers
  • Materials center copies and printers
  • Cables connected to the network jack at the pulpit or at the pulpit controls (see the next FAQ)
  • Non-standard equipment, such as unmanaged switches, TVs, older audio/visual systems that aren’t currently connected to the network.  
  • Additionally, custom or non-standard equipment that may have been installed by a local leader or technology specialist will not be reconnected.
  • FMs have been instructed to communicate these changes with stake leaders and technology specialists to ensure they are well-informed of the changes in cabling standards and connectivity practices. Additionally, local leaders and stake technology specialists will need to prioritize what else gets connected in the building. It will be their responsibility to reconnect these other devices.