Barksdale joins AFNet migration

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Andriacco
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Communication experts here are in the process of transitioning independent base networks and users' accounts to the new Air Force Network.

When finished, more than 6,000 computers, 9,000 e-mail accounts and 300 servers will have been transferred from Barksdale's network to AFNet.

The idea behind the new AFNet is to consolidate all working accounts and networks into centralized servers, with an eye toward increased efficiency and access for all Airmen and Air Force civilian employees.

"The AFNet provides reduced cost, consolidation and standardization for the Air Force," said 1st Lt. Justin Ball, 2nd Communications Squadron network operations officer in charge. "It will bring us into a single Air Force network, and users' email addresses and accounts will follow them to any base on the AFNet."

Already several weeks into the process, Barksdale users have seen a few interruptions in service and in some cases, limited access to their e-mail. With such a large shift in digital products, such as e-mail accounts, these problems can sometimes happen.

"Service issues should be expected on a limited scale as we move several thousand users from Barksdale's network to the centralized one," Ball said. "Fortunately, we have been able to quickly resolve many of the concerns with very little mission impact."

Currently, e-mail migration steps have been suspended so the migration teams can assess the servers and correct any latency issues. During this time, 2 CS asks that users be patient and follow all messages related to the migration.

At the end of the process, the minor inconveniences will be well worth the effort. AFNet will allow authorized users global access to their accounts, whether they are on temporary duty at another location or change bases altogether. Security to the overall network will be improved and operating costs will decrease, said Ball.

The changes users will notice at their terminals will be minimal. Their e-mail address will change to their E-mail for Life, which will end in @us.af.mil, rather than their current base name.

The most notable difference will be how communications issues are resolved.

"The Enterprise Service Desk will be the main focal point for nearly all network related problems," said 1st Lt. Nicholas Kulesza, 2 CS client systems center officer in charge. "They are the route for the most expedited service."

The actual migration on Barksdale started Jan. 3, and is the culmination of events that began in July 2011, when pre-migration efforts were initiated. After the current migration suspension ends, it will take approximately two weeks to complete the movement of computer terminals and e-mail accounts to AFNet. After that, 2 CS will start migrating local servers to the AFNet which will take about three months.

To report any computer or unclassified network issues and concerns, Barksdale users may call the Communications Focal Point at 456-2666 and select option 1 to be directed to the ESD. The local CFP will still assist with telephone and classified network problems.