Huawei's Advanced IT System Unleashes the Potential of Digital Transformation at Czestochowa University of Technology

The Czestochowa Metropolitan Area Network (CzestMAN) operates within the PIONIER National Optical Network, the backbone of the Polish scientific IT infrastructure. The PIONIER network is based on high-bandwidth fiber optic connections and brings together metropolitan area networks (MANs) and high-performance computing centers (HPCs) operating in 22 key academic centers across Poland.

The primary goal of CzestMAN is to support research by providing modern ICT solutions, particularly network infrastructure, for advanced, resource-intensive tools and applications, without which it is currently impossible to conduct world-class scientific activities.

Effective implementation of these tasks requires the continuous development and maintenance of an effective campus infrastructure. Its backbone, built over a quarter-century, is systematically modernized and expanded in line with current technological trends and industry standards.

The CzestMAN network offers a wide range of networking and computing services, targeted at academic units, research institutions, and businesses. These services include specialized solutions supporting computations and analyses conducted in the scientific community, as well as publicly available internet connections, and hosting and colocation services for local operators and companies.

Key Challenges in IT System Modernization

Daily operations in the Czestochowa University of Technology campus — including access to distance learning services such as online courses, remote access to scientific publications, searching for information in global databases, and convenien usage of the infrastructure based on large language models (LLM’s) — place a significant burden on the university's IT infrastructure, especially during peak hours. This pressure challenges the university's ability to meet modern digital standards. Furthermore, traditional IT solutions carry inherent risks, such as single points of failure, which threaten service continuity. For example, storage solutions that lack the ability to operate within a high-availability cluster often result in inefficient resource allocation and increased total cost of ownership (TCO).

To ensure uninterrupted IT services and increase system resilience, the CzestMAN network has partnered with Huawei to modernize its IT infrastructure with cutting-edge technology. This strategic partnership creates a solid foundation for accelerating the digital transformation of academic institutions.

Newly Implemented IT Solution: Huawei OceanStor Dorado 5000 V6

With an all-flash storage solution featuring cutting-edge technology, the expectations of a demanding customer like CzestMAN can now be met. Firstly, the Huawei OceanStor Dorado 5000 V6 offers excellent performance and ultra-low latency to meet the peak demands of academic systems and can also future-proof the ongoing digital transformation process thanks to its scalable architecture. Secondly, the system offers a HyperMetro (active-active) solution, ensuring 99.99999% reliability, eliminating the risk of single points of failure for the institution's IT system. Furthermore, the system integrates SAN and NAS networks while using minimal rack space, further reducing the total cost of ownership for modernization by 50%. With the newly implemented IT system, the educational institution can now explore more digitalization opportunities, such as an expanded database for scientific research, flexible deployment of virtual machines for teaching, providing a foundation for e-learning platform updates, and implementing electronic document workflow automation.

Thanks to Huawei's cutting-edge IT solutions, the CzestMAN network is transforming the university into a smart, digital campus powered by advanced technology. This enhanced educational ecosystem provides a foundation for faculty, students, and researchers to achieve greater innovation and productivity. By leveraging Huawei's cost-effective and flexible IT architecture, the CzestMAN network and the Czestochowa University of Technology are successfully realizing their vision for future-proof digital transformation and have developed an action plan for the development of IT infrastructure in academic and research environments.

Faculty of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland