Akofang Balebetse from BotswanaAkofang Balebetse from Botswana

BEng Computers and Networks BEng Computers and Networks University of Essex, UKUniversity of Essex, UK

Ministry of Communication, Science and TechnologyMinistry of Communication, Science and TechnologyDepartment of information TechnologyDepartment of information TechnologyNetwork SectionNetwork Section

About BotswanaAbout Botswana

- landlocked country in Southern Africalandlocked country in Southern Africa- has population of 1.7million people- has population of 1.7million people- jewel of Africa – with unspoilt delta and - jewel of Africa – with unspoilt delta and wildlife.wildlife.

Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Communication, Science and TechnologyScience and Technology

- Comprises of 4 departmentsComprises of 4 departments1.1. Information and TechnologyInformation and Technology

2.2. BtvBtv

3.3. Information ServicesInformation Services

4.4. Government Printers and PublishersGovernment Printers and Publishers

Provide connection and support of all Provide connection and support of all government services/applications to all government services/applications to all government ministries/departments.government ministries/departments.

Management; administration; maintenance Management; administration; maintenance of all government data network devices.of all government data network devices.

Advice on all ICT related matters Advice on all ICT related matters /standards – e.g. naming, cabling /standards – e.g. naming, cabling standards, etc.standards, etc.

What I do……..What I do……..

Broadband Backbone – high speed Broadband Backbone – high speed network provided by BTC.network provided by BTC.

8 nodes: 2Mbps connection between most 8 nodes: 2Mbps connection between most nodes and 256kbps on other sites.nodes and 256kbps on other sites.

Regional connection – less expensive: Regional connection – less expensive: BTC’s frame relay and ATM protocols.BTC’s frame relay and ATM protocols.

Most services are in Gaborone; star/ring Most services are in Gaborone; star/ring topology; redundancy and resiliency.topology; redundancy and resiliency.

Our Network……..Our Network……..

Leased line connection – 64kbps as Leased line connection – 64kbps as default; up to 2Mbps.default; up to 2Mbps.

Dial-up services; RAS (Remote Access Dial-up services; RAS (Remote Access Servers).Servers).

Successful ProjectsSuccessful Projects

1. Campus LAN:1. Campus LAN:- Core: Extreme switches - Core: Extreme switches

(Black Diamond/Alpine/Summit)(Black Diamond/Alpine/Summit)

;support Layers2/3;support Layers2/3

- BTC’s ring fibre- BTC’s ring fibre

- BD/Alpine: Gigabit- BD/Alpine: Gigabit

- Other Cisco switches and- Other Cisco switches and

Routers.Routers.

- Currently: upgrade on to run- Currently: upgrade on to run

at Gigabit: tender evaluationat Gigabit: tender evaluation

stagestage

2. WMAN2. WMAN- Only in Gaborone at the - Only in Gaborone at the

moment.moment.

- For special sites: interactive- For special sites: interactive

applications that require moreapplications that require more

than 2Mbps supplied by BTC.than 2Mbps supplied by BTC.

- Cisco Aero net 350 series- Cisco Aero net 350 series

- Thinking VSAT for sites where - Thinking VSAT for sites where

BTC cannot provide.BTC cannot provide.

- BW is up to 11Mbps- BW is up to 11Mbps

Successful projects cont….Successful projects cont….

3. Video Streaming3. Video Streaming- 1- 1stst country in Africa to have country in Africa to haveinstalled this.installed this.- for schools/colleges: to run- for schools/colleges: to runeducational programs + interneteducational programs + internetaccess.access.- via Btv Transponder - via Btv Transponder - Bonus: Government officers are- Bonus: Government officers areable to watch tv in their officesable to watch tv in their officesusing their PCs/Laptops.using their PCs/Laptops.- 4 pilot schools currently- 4 pilot schools currently

4. Police Microwave4. Police Microwave- Police use this for their car - Police use this for their car radios or walkie/talkie; radios or walkie/talkie; - We use it for data; even connect- We use it for data; even connectsites nearby mostly by fibre.sites nearby mostly by fibre.

Successful projects cont….Successful projects cont….

5. Internet Access5. Internet Access- ISP – to governmentISP – to government- via Btv Transponder; 1Mbps via Btv Transponder; 1Mbps

upload and 4Mbps downloadupload and 4Mbps download- Service provider - Norwegian Service provider - Norwegian

company company - 100Mbps Laser link between 100Mbps Laser link between

core and Btv; problem – no core and Btv; problem – no access when foggy or rainy.access when foggy or rainy.

- Ministries/department access Ministries/department access at no cost – cost recovery on at no cost – cost recovery on planning process.planning process.

coming……..coming……..

WITFOR (World Information Technology WITFOR (World Information Technology Forum) – Conference in Aug 31Forum) – Conference in Aug 31stst to Sept to Sept 22ndnd 2005 2005

- Botswana will be hosting thisBotswana will be hosting this- 800 delegates/participants expected.800 delegates/participants expected.- Preparations are onPreparations are on- Sponsorship from companies world wideSponsorship from companies world wide- If successful: Botswana will be marked as If successful: Botswana will be marked as

“Africa’s ICT hub”.“Africa’s ICT hub”.

Problems…….Problems…….

HIV/AIDS scourgeHIV/AIDS scourge

Questions?Questions?

Thank you !Thank you !