PLEXUS2
"PLEXUS2 – VDI renewal" project
The Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) required a complete overhaul. Launched in summer 2024, the PLEXUS2 project was initiated to meet several key operational objectives :
- Replacement of existing servers, due to hardware obsolescence and the upcoming end of support contracts scheduled for the end of Q2 2025.
- Providing a state-of-the-art environment for teaching, exams, and various educational events held throughout the year at EPFL.
- Increasing the number of virtual desktops that can run concurrently within a single session.
- The new VDI infrastructure has been designed, architected, and contractually supported to meet operational needs for at least the next seven years (through 2032).
- Processor and GPU performance has been significantly improved to meet the demands of the most resource-intensive solutions and applications.
- Greater virtual machine density per server, resulting in enhanced performance and a smoother, more responsive user experience (UX design).
- Improved energy efficiency, with each server consuming less power and aligning with enhanced sustainability standards.
"PLEXUS2 – Audiovisual equipment renewal" Project
The most recent renovations of the auditorium spaces included in this project date back to 2013.
The audiovisual equipment currently in use has reached a high level of obsolescence, with increasingly frequent malfunctions, non-repairable components, and a significant technological gap. This situation disrupts the smooth running of academic activities and compromises the optimal operation of the auditorium spaces.
To address these challenges, the project focuses on two key areas:
- Replacing projectors, to deliver enhanced image quality, improved durability, and adaptive brightness control throughout the day;
- Upgrading audiovisual systems in the auditorium spaces, including the integration of new recorders compatible with Kaltura© (mediaspace.epfl.ch).
In case of a technical issue, remote troubleshooting will often be sufficient—significantly reducing response time, ensuring swift support for teaching staff, and limiting the need for on-site technical intervention.