Scheduled Network Maintenance – Firewall Replacement (March 9, 2026)

Scheduled Network Maintenance – Firewall Replacement (March 9, 2026)

Quick Overview
  • ITS will replace a core campus firewall on March 9, 2026
  • Maintenance window is 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Some university systems and network services may be temporarily unavailable
  • The work is scheduled during Spring Break to minimize campus impact

Information Technology Services (ITS) will be performing network security maintenance and replacing a core campus firewall as part of ongoing cybersecurity improvements. This upgrade helps maintain the reliability, performance, and security of university network services.

Maintenance Window

Monday, March 9, 2026
6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

This maintenance has been scheduled during Spring Break to minimize disruption to classes and campus operations. While we do not expect the full maintenance window to be required, the time has been reserved to ensure the work can be completed safely.

Expected Impact

During this maintenance window, both on-campus and remote access to university systems may be unavailable or intermittent. This includes access through VPN, wireless networks, and wired network connections.

  • Internet connectivity on campus may be interrupted
  • Authentication services such as CAS and Single Sign-On may be unavailable
  • Some web-based university systems may temporarily be inaccessible
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Tip
Services will be restored as soon as maintenance activities are completed. If work finishes earlier than anticipated, services will return before the end of the scheduled maintenance window.

Services That May Be Affected

Campus Administrative Systems

  • mySFA
  • Banner Admin (Banner 9)
  • Self-Service Banner
  • eBill and Banner-related services

Student and Academic Services

  • Electronic Class Schedule
  • Course Evaluations and Surveys
  • Scholarship Search
  • Schedule Planner
  • 1098-T Electronic Consent

Campus Applications

  • Brightspace by D2L
  • WebFocus
  • Spillman Application
  • UPD Property Registration
  • Stone Fort Yearbook Ordering

Network and Authentication Services

  • CAS / Single Sign-On (SSO)
  • Wireless internet access
  • Wired internet access
  • VPN access
  • SFA email
  • IP-based phone systems
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Important
Because many university systems rely on network and authentication services, additional applications may also be temporarily unavailable during the maintenance window.

Need Help?

Contact the IT Help Desk at (936) 468-4357 (HELP).
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