Moving Your Academic Lab to the Academic Demilitarized Zone (ADMZ)

Tags Internet

Description

The Academic Demilitarized Zone (ADMZ) provides an extra layer of security tailored to publicly exposed academic resources on campus: 

  • Restricts communication to only pre-authorized connections to prevent unauthorized access. 

  • Requires specific configurations to ensure seamless integration with your environment’s workflow. 

  • Separates publicly exposed resources from sensitive resources that should not be exposed. 

Solution 

Step 1: Take Inventory 

Before the move, create a clear list of everything connected to your network: 

  • Devices – Computers, servers, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or anything else online. 

  • Applications – Any software or tools your lab relies on. 

  • Connections – Systems and external resources your lab interacts with.

Step 2: Determine Your Access Needs 

Think about who and what needs access once your lab is in the DMZ:

  • Internal vs. External Access – What systems must communicate with each other? 

  • Protocols & Ports – If you use tools like Secure Shell (SSH), Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), you’ll need to account for them.

Step 3: Coordinate with the Network and Voice Infrastructure (NVI) Team 

To avoid hiccups, share your inventory and access needs with NVI ahead of time. Key details to provide:

  • A list of all devices and applications moving to the ADMZ. 

  • Any specific connections your lab needs to maintain. 

  • Any firewall rules required to keep operations running smoothly. 

Step 4: Get your Systems Ready 

Once you have your new IP addresses from NVI, make sure your systems are set up accordingly:

  • Update network settings with the new addresses. 

  • Adjust applications if they rely on specific network paths. 

Step 5: Test Everything 

Once the move happens, do a thorough check:

  • Make sure all connections work as expected. 

  • Verify that applications and services run smoothly. 

  • Monitor for any unexpected network issues. 

Step 6: Document & Train your Team 

  •  Keep a record of all changes, configurations, and key settings. This helps prevent future headaches!

  • Also, train your staff so they know how to operate in the new network environment. 

Final Tips for a Smooth Transition 

  • Back up important data – Save copies of configurations and key files before making the move. 

  • Stay in touch with NVI – If you have questions or run into issues, NVI is here to help! 

  • Monitor and adjust – Keep an eye on network traffic after the transition to catch any unexpected issues early. 

 

Outcome: By taking these simple steps, your lab will be set up for success in the ADMZ with better security, streamlined operations, and minimal disruptions.  

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