Our Data Network…A challenge and an opportunity for improvement!

Background Information

• Growth, growth and more growth!– Steady increase in student population– More schools, more staff and more technology

• The focus on 21st Century learning has created a demand for ever increasing bandwidth for multimedia resources.

• The district’s current network design is based on Cable modems – “Shares” bandwidth with other companies or

residents in the local geographic area

• We’ve outgrown our network!

• Slow downs, time outs & network issues

• Email, web pages, food services data, student information system, finance and payroll, and others are barely working.

• Outside users (parents, community, etc.) are frustrated with the time it takes to access District resources.

• District served by Comcast and Mediacom

• Powerschool is struggling to function

What’s the Problem?

How Big of a Problem is It?

• From a site within the district, it took longer than 5 minutes to load:– District Web Site– High School Web Page

• From outside the district, it can take as long as 15 minutes to load (during the school day)

Start of the school day

End of the school day

Start of the school day

End of the school day

WednesdayMay 5th

ThursdayMay 6th

Show Me Some Data!

Finding Solutions• Multiple solutions were

researched :– Build a fiber network to all schools– Upgrade existing cable modem network– Purchase circuits such as T1 lines– Point to point wireless

• Selection criteria included:– Cost of implementation/installation– Monthly/recurring costs– Timeliness of implementation– Scalability– Meet needs now and in the future

Recommended Solutions• 1.) Upgrade the main internet

connection for all outgoing and incoming network traffic.– Current: 2 Megabit up and 20 Megabit down on

a cable modem connection– Proposed: 50 Megabit up and 50 Megabit down

on a fiber network connection (Mediacom)

• 2.) Upgrade the connections between each site to handle network traffic.– Current: 2 Megabit up and 20 Megabit down on

a cable modem connection– Proposed: 125-300 Megabit up and 125-300

Megabit down on point to point wireless system

• DMS or DVMS to serve as the “hub” for point to point wireless connections

• Connection speeds of 125-300 mbs• Currently, we have 2mbs between schools

DMS Rooftop

DVMS Tower

200 Ft.

Location of Wireless Antennae

Estimated 30-40 feet higher than roof of DMS

Fiber Optics• Install fiber

between DHS and DGS

• 1 gigabit connection

• Basically the same cost as installing wireless

Fiber Connections

Estimated Cost

• One time cost for equipment and installation= $143,000

• Additional monthly costs for increased internet bandwidth= $1350 month

Questions and Next Steps

•Need consensus from the board to move forward (not an action item)•If we can act now, we can implement the solution by mid-July