Dimension Data has implemented a sophisticated network at KwaZulu-Natal`s Hilton College as part of the private school`s strategy to provide learners with leading-edge technologies.
"The overall vision of the school is not technology for the sake of technology, but how it can facilitate educational needs," says Peter de Lisle, head of IT at Hilton College. "This year we have installed the critical network infrastructure and next year we will focus on skills training for teaching staff."
Dimension Data Networking Services KZN won the R700 000 contract, which includes implementing the network, laying the cabling infrastructure in an environmentally friendly fashion and commissioning the system.
Hilton College`s one-gigabit fibre-optic backbone currently links three buildings on the campus - the learning block which comprises 41 classrooms, the library and media centre and the administrative block - while a fourth technology centre will come on line shortly.
De Lisle points out that while some classes already use technology extensively, others have yet to include computers in the learning process. Teachers have to be comfortable with the technology before they are prepared to use it in their curricula.
Colin Wall, account manager at Dimension Data Network Services KZN, says the network is more than capable of supporting the 500 learners, teachers and administrative staff at Hilton College.
"Unlike in a corporate environment where users access the network sporadically, at school it`s more than likely that all users come on line at the same time. The Cisco solution we have installed accommodates this sudden influx of users without any degradation in network performance.
"Additionally, it has the flexibility and scalability built in to introduce new technologies such as video conferencing and distance learning without impacting on the initial investment," says Wall.
The network, which utilises switching products from Cisco, meets the college`s investment protection policy whereby the networking equipment has built in scalability allowing it to continue supporting and introducing new technologies without replacing the core system.
From a central location housing a Cisco Catalyst 6500 switch, the cabling connects to various switches located in each of the three campus blocks. Cisco Catalyst 3500 and 1500 switches have been installed to connect desktop and laptop users at a rate of 100mb per second.
As the computers are currently connected via category 5 UTP cabling, the solution will allow for other technologies such as wireless to be implemented.
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Dimension Data
Dimension Data is a leading global network services and i-Commerce solutions provider, focused on enabling enterprises, telecommunication service providers and new economy companies to communicate and transact effectively in an e-enabled environment.
Dimension Data listed on the London Stock Exchange in July 2000 and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. The Group has over 11,000 employees and operates in over 30 countries on six continents. It has achieved a compound annual growth rate in US dollars of 57 per cent in revenue and 36 per cent in earnings per share over the past two years.