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PC Cluster Refresh Programme – August/September 2026

NUIT will be carrying out a planned refresh of student PC clusters from Monday 3 August 2026. A full schedule of affected locations and dates is provided below.

29 July 2026

​This work forms part of NUIT’s Student PC Refresh Programme, which replaces devices as they reach the end of their supported lifecycle. This ensures that our computing facilities remain secure, reliable, and capable of supporting modern teaching, learning, and assessment requirements. 

What is happening 

During this period, selected PC clusters across campus will be temporarily unavailable while existing devices are removed and replaced with new, fully supported hardware. Each location will be refreshed in a phased approach, with up to seven clusters unavailable at any one time. 

In total, 42 clusters (approximately 1,500 devices) will be refreshed during this phase of the programme. 

Philip Robinson Library - entrance area

Why this work is essential

Many of the current devices are approaching the end of their supported lifespan. This refresh will deliver: 

  • Improved device performance with faster application response times 
  • Enhanced security, aligned with current operating system and hardware standards 
  • Greater reliability and reduced risk of device failure and disruption 
  • Ongoing compatibility with teaching, learning, and business applications such as Windows 11 
  • A more consistent user experience across clusters 

What you need to do 

  • Check the schedule below to understand when specific clusters will be unavailable 
  • Share this information with colleagues and students where relevant 
  • Use alternative PC clusters during affected periods 
  • Consider alternative access options, such as Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) 

Schedule of cluster closures 

A detailed schedule of cluster closures, listed by building and date, is provided below. 

Thank you for your patience and support while this essential work is carried out to improve the University’s IT facilities.

 

Philip Robinson Library

PRL 2F unavailable 17/08 – 26/08 
PRL 1F unavailable 21/09 – 25/09 
PRL 3F unavailable 24/08 – 01/09 
PRL 4F unavailable 28/08 – 04/09

Stephenson Building 

STB 2.019 unavailable 03/08 – 07/08 
STB 2.006 unavailable 18/08 – 31/08 
Walton Library – TOR  unavailable 18/08 – 20/08 

Cookson Building 

Cookson – Fell Cluster unavailable 24/08 – 28/08 

Hadrian Building 

Hadrian Cluster Ground Floor unavailable 10/08 – 14/08 

Marjorie Robinson Library 

Marjorie Robinson Academic Skills unavailable 01/09 – 04/09 

Herschel Building 

Herschel Annex Stage 2 Lab (E11) unavailable 03/08 – 05/08 
Herschel 1.03 – Learning Lab unavailable 31/08 – 04/09 

Henry Daysh 

HDB 6.19 – Doctoral Training Room unavailable ​​01/09 – 04/09 

Merz Court 

Merz – 4.12 Design Suite unavailable 27/07 – 30/07 (provisional) 
Merz Court E4.01 – CAD Lab E4.01 (9.62) unavailable 24/08 – 04/09 
Merz 8.20 – Electrical Motor Lab unavailable 24/08 – 04/09 

Dame Margaret Barbour Building 

DMBB 2.09 – Learning Lab unavailable 17/08 – 21/08 
DMBB 1.21 – Teaching Cluster unavailable 17/08 – 28/08 

Urban Sciences Building 

USB 3.005 unavailable 05/08 – 18/08 
​USB 3.015 – Exams Venue unavailable ​05/08 – 18/08 
​USB 3.014 unavailable 06/08 – 07/08 
USB 5.023 unavailable 10/08 – 12/08 
USB 3.006 unavailable 10/08 – 11/08 
USB 1.020 unavailable 10/08 – 11/08 
USB 4.022 unavailable 17/08 – 24/08 
USB 4.026 unavailable 17/08 – 18/08 
​USB 5.011 unavailable ​19/08 – 20/08