RM have purchased some new hardware and it will be used to replace the existing central firewall clusters. The existing hardware is approaching full capacity so this work obviously needs to go ahead. The new hardware will be the latest model with a lot more capacity and it will be a direct swap out.
The work will involve copying all the firewall config data and then over three nights (2nd, 3rd and 4th July) the platform will be updated. I am assured that it is “low risk” particularly as the same software version will be used on the new hardware. However, if there are problems, it will be straight forward enough to quickly roll back the changes.
Both RM and HFL are keen that this work goes ahead now rather than waiting for the summer holidays. This is because if in the unlikely event that there are issues, they may not present themselves until schools return in September, when there is high traffic.
This event will incur a change freeze meaning that new firewall rules cannot be created from Monday 1st July 9AM through to Friday 5th July 10AM. This will allow RM to copy over the up-to-date firewall config data. With this in mind, over this period we will not be able to create new firewall rules. This includes RM making firewall changes as well as HFL/School IT Support updating access within SafetyNet.
If you have any queries or concerns, please get in touch with HFL Broadband Support and/or Kevin Crawley.