School Connectivity Options

School Connectivity Options

Level I: Basic Internet Access for School Computer Labs Level II: Basic Internet Access Extended to Classrooms Level III: Networking the School District Level IV: Advanced Multimedia Network

Level I: Basic Internet Access for School Computer Labs

This is an initial stage for network connectivity, which can scale into a larger, more powerful network. This type of computer network forms a local area network, or LAN, that connects together the computers in your computer lab. It also connects these computers to a shared server and out to the Internet via a data line to an Internet service provider, or ISP. Throughout this workbook, at all four levels, we assume that the data line to the ISP may employ any of today's popular wide area network (WAN) technologies, including ISDN, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), T1/Frame Relay or cable modem service.

Equipment needed:

Router. This device operates between the LAN and the external data line. The type of router you choose depends on the type of data line. Your ISP may support one or many types of data lines, so you should check on the technological capabilities of your ISP. Firewall/Web site filter. This device shields the computer lab from outside intrusion. This device may also have a Web site filter, available as a regularly updated software subscription, that prevents lab computer users from accessing inappropriate Web content. Ethernet switches. These devices serve as the main connection points for the network. Each PC will have a separate data cable (Ethernet typically uses Category 5 UTP with RJ-45 connectors) running from PC to switch. Each PC cable connects into one port on the switch. Today's switches generally support two different Ethernet speeds:10 Mbps or 100 Mbps (also known as Fast Ethernet) The switch provides 23 Ethernet 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps ports for the client PCs and the router and one 100 Mbps port for the server. For computer labs with more than 24 PCs, schools may interconnect multiple switches. The same switch may also be used to coordinate networking for the district office servers. For large networks, there are switches that support 1000 Mbps or Fast Ethernet. Network interface cards (NICs) for each of the PCs and the server. These connect the PC cable into the PC or server. Our recommendation is to install 10/100 Mbps NICs whenever possible. This provides easy upgrades from Ethernet to Fast Ethernet to accommodate growth in network traffic. Other Products (Covered by E-Rate) to Complete Your Network:

Network server. This is the PC that acts as central storage for the network and the connection to the printer. Data service. This is the link to your Internet service provider (ISP). Choose a local ISP based on service level, speed, capacity, and cost. Alternatively, you should consult with your local telephone company to determine the best level of service that meets your needs. Wide-area data service options include ISDN, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), T1/Frame Relay or cable modem service. The ISP or service provider can assist you in selecting a compatible 3Com router for their service. 3Com Product Ordering Information

Router Options (choices depend on what technologies your ISP supports) 3C438000 OfficeConnect® 810 ADSL Router 3CP4144 OfficeConnect 812 ADSL Router 3C840 OfficeConnect 840 SDSL Router 3CR400U97 SuperStack® II Router 400, ISDN BRI-U, 128-Bit Encryption

Modem Options Suitable for Level I only: 3C892A-US OfficeConnect ISDN LAN Modem (up to 24 users) 3C892-IDSL OfficeConnect IDSL LAN Modem (up to 24 users)

Firewalls/Web site Filters 3C16770-US OfficeConnect Firewall 25 (up to 25 users) 3C16771-US OfficeConnect Firewall DMZ (up to 100 users) 3C16772 OfficeConnect Firewall Web site Filter (1-year subscription service)

Ethernet Switches 3C16985B-US SuperStack 3 Switch 3300XM 24-Port 10/100 Switch

Network Interface Cards 3C905C-TX-M Fast EtherLink 10/100 PCI Network Interface Card for Lab PCs 3C980C-TXM Fast EtherLink 10/100 PCI Server Network Interface Card for Server

Level II: Extending Basic Internet Access to Classrooms

As your network grows, you can add to rather than replace equipment in your Level 1 network: the central point of your network now moves to a wiring closet or some other location more central to all classrooms. Here, incoming data lines connect the school to the wide-area network and/or to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). In the wiring closet, you may stack multiple Ethernet switches together, then connect those to individual switches in the classrooms. Also, you may add to administrative simplicity and network economy by installing newer technologies, such as network-based telephones or wireless Ethernet access points, in select locations.

The main changes to the network are:

A larger number of PC nodes on the network, including more PCs, NICs, and switches. Permanent data cables to connect the classrooms to the wiring closet. The recommendation for data cables is Category 5 UTP wiring for all cable runs that are less than 100 meters. This applies to all cabling within a building and cabling between buildings where the cable is accessible but protected from weather and tampering. For runs longer than 100 meters and cabling that runs in underground conduits, multimode fiber is generally the best option. Greater network traffic. This usually requires larger, faster data lines. Expanding the switch located in the wiring closet, and placing smaller switches in individual classrooms helps to fully segment the traffic on the network and avoid congestion during busy periods. Additional equipment needed for Level II connections:

Central wiring closet. This is where the cables from each of the classrooms terminate. As a termination device, multiple SuperStack 3 Switch 3300s may be stacked together. The 3 Switch 3300XM is a 10/100 Mbps switch that can provide 100 Mbps ports for the computer lab, servers, or any classrooms that require high network bandwidth. The wiring closet is also a good place to put one or more network servers. This gives everyone on the network equal access to the servers and allows for easier maintenance and security. Servers should operate on 100/1000 Mbps links. This allows the servers to share more power among multiple users. Ethernet switches. With the network now extending into the classroom, smaller switches are needed in each of the classrooms where PCs are located. These are less expensive since they typically provide only 4, 8 or 16 connections. Chassis switch. A high-performance switch may be required at district headquarters to support the greater network traffic of a Level II installation. Network telephony system. A system of network telephones-also frequently called "Ethernet phones" or VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) phones-can cut costs and reduce the complexities of managing separate networks for voice and data. With network telephony, the phones connect directly to Ethernet switches and "speak" in Ethernet packets, so they don't require conventional phone wiring. Wireless Ethernet connectors. To save further on cabling costs and administrative overhead, you can install wireless devices-network cards in PCs, which transmit to nearby access points-based on a new industry standard for 11 Mbps Ethernet. These make it easy for students or teachers to move their PCs or laptops to different locations that are within the range of the access points. Additional 3Com Product Ordering Information

Switches for Classrooms: 3C16773A-US OfficeConnect Dual Speed Switch 4 (4 RJ-45 connections), or 3C16734B-US OfficeConnect Dual Speed Switch 8 (8 RJ-45 connections), or 3C16735B-US OfficeConnect Dual Speed Switch 16 (16 RJ-45 connections)

Central Wiring Closet Switch: 3C16985B-US SuperStack 3 Switch 3300XM 24-Port 10/100 Switch 3C16988A SuperStack 3 SwitchMM 24-Port 10/100 Switch with Three Matrix Ports

District Headquarters Switch: 3C16815 Switch 4007 Fast Ethernet Layer 3 Copper Starter Kit with 48-Ports. 7-slot Switch 4007 chassis with 18 Gbps switch fabric with three GBIC slots for uplinks, single management module, and power supply 48 10/100BASE-TX and 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports: One 12-port Fast Ethernet MultiLayer Switch module (RJ-45) One 36-port Fast Ethernet module (RJ-45) Three GBIC slots on the switch fabric for Gigabit Ethernet ports Four empty payload slots, expandable to 192 Fast Ethernet ports Network Telephony System: 3C10111 NBX Chassis APX30M/4 3C10110 NBX Call Processor Card (10BASE-T uplink, software) 3C10116 NBX Digital Line Card (24 outside T1 or PRI phone lines-PRI is required for E911) 3C10114 NBX Analog Line Card (4 outside analog telephone lines) 3C10121 NBX Business Telephone

Wireless System: 3CRWE343A AirConnect 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Starter Pack (1 AP, 3 PC Cards) 3CRWE747A AirConnect 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point 3CRWE737A AirConnect 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card for Laptop Computers 3CRWE777A AirConnect 11 Mbps Wireless PCI Card for Desktop Computers

Level III: Networking the School District/Adding Gigabit to the Larger Schools

There are economic advantages to having the district office act as the central network point for all the schools in the district. Here, the network links the schools over one large WAN. Also, the district office can maintain a high-speed DSL, cable, T1, or Frame Relay connection to the Internet and share the bandwidth and costs across several schools. By centralizing this connection, a school district may require fewer network management staff.

Main changes to the network are:

The number of PC nodes on the network grows proportionately. This means there are more NICs and switches. Some schools may now maintain data lines to the district office rather than directly to the ISP. The district office and/or a large school can operate a high-density router connected to the ISP. Such a connection permits district officials or teachers to boost data privacy over the public Internet by employing virtual private networks (VPNs) that create secure tunnels through the public Internet. Additional equipment needed for Level III connections:

At the district office: This is where a high-density router may be located. It has a connection for a data line from each of the schools in the district, and it has a high-speed line for connection to an ISP. The district office will likely have an administrative network operating within the building. This requires a higher-capacity chassis switch, to handle the greater volume of traffic between the district servers and the various schools. Also, to expand bandwidth of the server network, you may install network interface cards in the chassis switch to permit load balancing, or to support connections for Gigabit Ethernet over Category 5 cable or SX fiber. The district office will likely have an administrative network operating within the building. This requires a local connection from the router to a hub and then to the individual PCs. In the large school: This school, probably the high school, also needs a chassis switch for its considerable internal demands. In addition, to meet demands for high-volume, secure data transmission, you might want to install a high-density router that is capable of setting up and terminating VPNs. 3Com Product Ordering Information

District Headquarters Switch 3C16816-US Switch 4007 Fiber Gigabit Layer 3 Starter Kit: 7-slot Switch 4007 chassis with 48 Gbps switch fabric, management module, and power supply 13 Gigabit Ports: One 4-port Gigabit Ethernet Multilayer Switch module (GBIC) One 9-port Gigabit Ethernet module (1000BASE-SX) 4 empty payload slots, expandable to 49 gigabit ports Large School Switches 3C17700 Switch 4900 12-Port 1000Base-T Switch 3C17702 Switch 4900 12-Port 1000Base-SX Switch 3C17710 Switch 4900 4-Port 1000Base-SX Module for Switch 4900 3C16987A SuperStack 3 Switch 3300, 24-Port 10/100 Switch with One 1000Base-SX Fiber Port to Connect to 4900SX Switch, or 4900 1000Base-SX Module. (for edge classrooms/labs, etc.)

Router for VPNs 3CR400U97 SuperStack II Router 400, ISDN BRI-U, 128-Bit Encryption

Network Interface Cards 3CR400U97 SuperStack II Router 400, ISDN BRI-U, 128-Bit Encryption 3C980C-TXM EtherLink Server 10/100 PCI Network Interface Card 3C995-T EtherLink Server Network Interface Card for Gigabit Ethernet over Cat 5 3C995-SX EtherLink Server Network Interface Card for Gigabit Ethernet over SX Fiber

Level IV: Advanced Multimedia Network

This is a high-bandwidth network designed for heavy traffic loads consisting of large graphics files, full-motion video, and voice traffic to deliver multimedia curriculum to the classroom. In networks where only a portion of the users have requirements for the additional bandwidth, specified segments of the network can be upgraded without affecting other parts of the network. In larger school districts, however, it may be prudent to consider upgrading to a system for storing, organizing, and delivering rich media such as the new Media Ease Learning Solution from 3Com and march FIRST. The Media Ease solution consists of hardware and software bundles for individual schools, known as Media Ease relay points, as well as larger, called Media Ease central service points, for installation in district offices. The Media Ease solutions perform content manipulation, storage management, previewing, scheduling, distribution, and any other tasks required to give students high-quality multimedia content, and teachers the greatest degree of teaching flexibility possible.

Main changes to the networks include:

Local Ethernet switches should be upgraded to Fast Ethernet. Current devices can be moved from the network core to the edge. The school backbone should be upgraded from Fast Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet. The district office will need higher-performance data services. Local PCs and servers should be upgraded to 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet NICs. Media Ease central service points and relay points may be introduced, and will be fully compatible with existing equipment. 3Com Product Ordering Information

Media Ease Central Service Point 1 Includes 3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 4900, 3Com SuperStack II Router 400, plus other equipment ranging from SQL content database, Web and application servers, to file servers, tape backup units, switches, cables and monitors.

Media Ease Central Service Point 2 Includes redundant 3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 4900s, 3Com SuperStack II Router 400, plus load-balanced application servers, and redundant installations of equipment used in the central service point 1, including SQL content database, Web and application servers, to file servers, tape backup units, switches, cables, and monitors.

Media Ease Relay Point These systems come in three performance levels to suit the multimedia needs of different types and sizes of schools. All Media Ease relay points contain a 3Com SuperStack II Router 400; depending on the performance level, Media Ease relay points may also include a 3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 4900, Web servers, RAID5 (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disk) storage, uninterruptible power supplies, and other, related products.