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from 1Gbps to 10Gbps, and looking to the future at 40Gbps and 100Gbps, previous DHS capability in this area has been superseded,” DHS wrote in tender documents.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 brandpost Sponsored by Freshworks When your AI chatbots mess up AI ‘hallucinations’ present significant business risks, but new types of guardrails can keep them from doing serious damage By Paul Gillin Dec 08, 2023 4 mins Generative AI brandpost Sponsored by Dell New research: How IT leaders drive business benefits by accelerating device refresh strategies Security leaders have particular concerns that older devices are more vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks. By Laura McEwan Dec 08, 2023 3 mins Infrastructure Management case study Toyota transforms IT service desk with gen AI To help promote insourcing and quality control, Toyota Motor North America is leveraging generative AI for HR and IT service desk requests. By Thor Olavsrud Dec 08, 2023 7 mins Employee Experience Generative AI ICT Partners feature CSM certification: Costs, requirements, and all you need to know The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification sets the standard for establishing Scrum theory, developing practical applications and rules, and leading teams and stakeholders through the development process. By Moira Alexander Dec 08, 2023 8 mins Certifications IT Skills Project 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