Computer system upgrade project to begin next month Published March 4, 2011 By Wayne Crenshaw 78 ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- A major project to upgrade Robins' vast computer network will begin in a few weeks. After months of planning, the installation of a high bandwidth network is slated to begin immediately following a kickoff meeting April 26. The Air Force-mandated Combat Information System One Base One Network Project will link employees in 260 core buildings here. The $15 million project will impact all users on the Robins.mil and ANG.mil networks. Installation will take a year and involve laying 36 miles of fiber optic cable and 21 miles of conduit. It will also include installing 1,126 new network switches in 523 communications rooms. The actual changeover to the new system will be done in increments between February and May of 2012. "Basically, we are going to have a more reliable network," said Roger Vann, communications planner for the 78th Air Base Wing Communications Directorate. Users may see some loss of connectivity during the cutover, but impacted organizations will be notified at least two weeks in advance, he added. Signs of the project will be widely visible during the coming months. Personnel from General Dynamics Information Technology and its subcontractors will be working in and around the buildings. The workers will have badges to identify themselves. The project will also involve the cutting of some streets, and temporary closures of roadways may be necessary. Notifications of any closures will be made in advance, Vann said.