In July 2015, the Department of Computer Science was proud to officially open its brand new building and research building. As testament to its high-tech features, the building has been featured on the cover of Cabling Installation and Maintenance Magazine. Recognized for the fact that Stony Brook is one of the very few universities to utilize CAT 7 cabling, the department received the 2015 Innovators Award from Cabling. Along with the award, the magazine published a full-length article lauding Stony Brook’s cutting edge research in the fields of computer science of network cabling.

The new computer science (CS) building was deemed by Cabling to demonstrate “marked improvements in methods, approaches, and system use.”

A CAT 7 cable is the common industry name for a Category 7 Ethernet cable. Stony Brook’s CS building is one of the very few institutions that utilize this industry-leading technology, which is recommended by most experts as the go-to choice for wiring a new building and setting up a reliable and fast Ethernet connection.

When planning the new building, the developers had the eventual implementation of 10 Gigabit Ethernet in mind while also dealing with necessary wired infrastructure such as telephones and printers. When asked about the choice, Director of Computer Operations in the CS department Ken Gladky said: “Category 7 is the highest grade of twisted-pair copper cabling currently supported by a published performance standard.”

There is no stopping the Department of Computer Science as far as awards go. In addition to many faculty members receiving various large research grants, this newest award for the computer science facilities themselves only adds to the collection. The 70,000 square foot home of modern collaborative learning areas, sleek office space and the new National Security Institute (NSI) is certainly off to a good start in its first year of existence. The entire Stony Brook community is excited to see what great things will come of this amazing addition to the campus.