The Department of Human Services (DHS) has tendered for testing and network infrastructure to benchmark and validate changes to its data centre to support the integration of Centrelink, Medicare and CRS Australia. These agencies were rolled into one DHS portfolio in mid-2011, which has increased the scale and complexity of its data centre environment. In February last year, DHS told CIO it was hoping to cut the number of system outages across its environment by 5 per cent per quarter until early 2014. The agency experienced 137 system reliability outages in the 12 months between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012. “With general increases in bandwidth from 1Gbps to 10Gbps, and looking to the future at 40Gbps and 100Gbps, previous DHS capability in this area has been superseded,” DHS wrote in tender documents. The agency currently uses Cisco Nexus, ASR and 6500 series equipment to provide network connectivity in its data centre. Dell M910 Blade servers run VMware virtual infrastructure. DHS’ desktops run Microsoft Windows 7 and Apple iPhones and iPads are used to remotely access corporate systems and email. Over the next three years, DHS will use the network and testing infrastructure to test changes to its network in a production environment to ensure the design and components meet reliability and scalability requirements. The testing is part of a DHS project to create a single IT platform for the agencies, supported by governance, streamlined contract and procurement management, and secure data management practice. Follow CIO Australia on Twitter and Like us on Facebook… Twitter: @CIO_Australia, Facebook: CIO Australia, or take part in the CIO conversation on LinkedIn: CIO Australia Follow Byron Connolly on Twitter:@ByronConnolly Related content feature 10 most popular IT certifications for 2023 Certifications are a great way to show employers you have the right IT skills and specializations for the job. These 10 certs are the ones IT pros are most likely to pursue, according to data from Dice. By Sarah K. White May 26, 2023 8 mins Certifications Careers interview Stepping up to the challenge of a global conglomerate CIO role Dr. Amrut Urkude became CIO of Reliance Polyester after his company was acquired by Reliance Industries. He discusses challenges IT leaders face while transitioning from a small company to a large multinational enterprise, and how to overcome them. By Yashvendra Singh May 26, 2023 7 mins Digital Transformation Careers feature 移民のバックストーリーが、技術リーダーを育てる 移民としての物語を有するテックリーダーには、共感と多様性に根ざした視点を持ち、かつてはほとんどなかった無数の機会を有している。 By Inna Lazareva May 25, 2023 1 min Diversity and Inclusion Careers IT Leadership feature BNY Mellon、AIを活用してマスターデータを改善 By Peter Sayer May 25, 2023 1 min Master Data Management Artificial Intelligence Data Management Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe