Coppin State University Achieves Seamless Network Transformation with C1

"Having C1 as a partner for our network refresh has been one of the most amazing partnerships we've experienced.” 

Taha Mohammed | Assistant Director of Campus Infrastructure Team, Coppin State University

The Challenge:

An End-of-Life Network Slowed Innovation  

Coppin State University faced urgent challenges when its existing network hardware approached its end-of-life status. Key issues arose due to outdated infrastructure that lacked software updates and adequate support, critically impacting the effectiveness of their campus network serving 12 buildings and multiple smart classrooms.  

“The equipment we had was out of support, end-of-life, and lacking code updates,” shared Taha Mohammed, Assistant Director of Campus Infrastructure at Coppin.  

The university’s leadership recognized the need for a total infrastructure refresh—a complex project that required expert guidance and seamless execution. This refresh wasn’t just about replacement; Coppin needed a partner to guide them through the lifecycle of the transformation and ensure minimal downtime and smooth integration for its campus-wide operations.  

Additionally, the university experienced escalating operational inefficiencies with their legacy network setup, which required manual processes for updates and configuration, making day-to-day administration time-consuming. Balancing limited funding structures while tackling such a massive project added another layer of complexity.  

Coppin was searching for a solution— a trusted partner who could provide tailored technology strategies, with data-driven recommendations, leading to a cost-effective pathway to fully modernize their infrastructure. 

The Solution:

Modernizing Coppin’s Campus Network with End-to-End Expertise 

Coppin State University partnered with C1 to implement an end-to-end campus-wide network refresh leveraging Extreme Networks solutions. The implementation spanned 12 buildings, over 300 access switches, and both on-premises datacenters and edge networks. C1 followed a structured, phased approach to deliver a seamless solution across the entire campus.  

Phase 1 focused on replacing Coppin’s data center switches across two buildings. These early upgrades bolstered the backbone of the infrastructure with Extreme Secure Network Fabric and Extreme 7520 switches.  

Phase 2 involved upgrading campus core switches across four main buildings with Extreme 7520 switches, while ensuring all existing access switches could integrate seamlessly.  

Phase 3 extended the project’s scope to refresh all edge switches across 12 campus buildings, ultimately reaching 295 edge devices for improved connectivity, performance and also extending Extreme Fabric to edge.  

C1 also integrated ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine, enabling automation for routine tasks like configuration backups and updates. This centralized management platform significantly simplified network operations for Coppin’s internal infrastructure team.  

“C1’s professional services were tremendous,” Taha Mohammed noted. “Their expertise and patience with implementation were key as we transitioned to Extreme’s Fabric technology and automated central management tools.” 

C1 worked closely with Coppin’s team, offering professional services that included pre-deployment, post-deployment, and design consultations. Their engineers ensured minimal disruption during upgrades, prioritizing flexible scheduling to avoid interfering with classroom and campus-wide activities. 

The Result:

50% Time Savings and Cutting-Edge Network Performance     

The partnership between Coppin State University and C1 resulted in a network infrastructure solution that aligns with future objectives to stay ahead of the curve resulting in enhanced productivity and scalability. Immediate benefits included a significant 50–60% reduction in time spent on previously labor-intensive network management tasks, enabling them to focus on other innovative tasks and strategic initiatives. 

The implementation of ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine streamlined processes like configuration backups and code upgrades. “Before, everything was manual. Now, we can manage everything from one centralized system, cutting time and complexity significantly,” Taha Mohammed stated.  

Additionally, Coppin saw substantial performance gains across its network: 

• Upgraded their data center and core backbone from 40 Gbps to 100 Gbps, ensuring faster internal communication and capacity for future demands.  

• Doubled edge uplink performance from 10 Gbps to 25 Gbps, enhancing connectivity across the campus.  

• Simplified management of all 12 campus buildings with easy scalability for continuing project phases.  

Coppin’s smart classrooms Audio-Visual, IP-based devices, and growing bandwidth requirements are now fully supported by an innovative infrastructure that accommodates future growth and new technology. The deployment was completed ahead of schedule, with full implementation achieved by December—well before the initial January timeline.  

“C1 provided tremendous support throughout the process, offering expertise and resources that made everything run smoothly,” Taha Mohammed noted.  

By choosing C1 as a partner, Coppin successfully transitioned to a state-of-the-art network capable of supporting its educational mission for years to come.