Micro-Studies on Telecommunications Infrastructure

Distance Education Consulting

Micro-Studies on Telecommunications Infrastructure - 1997.

Executive Summary
by Dr. Barry Ellis, Educational Technology Specialist

This investigation has been structured to enable a thorough understanding of the telecommunications requirements in three different, but related areas:

Wide Area Network Infrastructure Alternatives: Study One
Local Area Network Access Connectivity: Study Two
Local Telephone Access (across the Division): Study Three:

On April 23, 1997, a DETAC consultant attended a meeting with the BTRD Technology Committee. In this workshop/meeting, ideas were discussed and input sought from the key technology players in the Division. Also present were: Terry Pearson, Superintendent; Stan Gerber, Director of Technology; and Jen Byrgesen, Secretary Treasurer.

Study One: WAN Infrastructure

Each school is expected to have a LAN within it's building that will connect together computers, workstations, printers, servers, routers and related devices, e.g. CD-ROM drive, modem, etc. This network is an Intranet that serves the teaching, study and communications needs within the school environment. External systems will interface with this LAN through a server or router to enable access to the Internet, external databases, communications to/from other systems and connection to WANs.

Purposes of the WAN

Typical Educational Uses for a WAN in a Regional School Division

Educational Delivery	Educational Support	Administrative Support or Management of Information Systems (MIS)
virtual schools e-mail support for ADLC materials simultaneous curriculum delivery courses on the Internet tutorial group audio-graphic support for teleconferencing	WWW searching library information inter-library searching inter-library loans on-line databases computer conferencing e-mail communications on-line AV materials multi-media content support of live teaching counseling course management	equipment and assets inventory facility data bussing, scheduling fund raising financial records system marks and attendance systems payroll human resources management information administrative e-mail

Evaluation of the TELUS Proposal

It is the opinion of the consulting team that the TELUS system would be obsolete before it is installed.

Evaluation of the SAT-TEL Proposal

The Consulting team recommends rejecting this proposal as it does not offer the WAN services that are required by the BTRD since the proposal speaks only to Internet services.

Identification of Alternative Strategies

1. TELMARK wireless data transfer from Alberta Power Ltd,
2. Modification of the TELUS proposal for requoting,
3. Local connectivity through local town LANs,
4. Data compression through unserviced copper POTS lines, and
5. Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) using POTS.

These items have been dealt with in the Micro-Studies Report.

Study Two: LAN Access Connectivity

Town by Town Analysis

In Wainwright, the Board Office is approximately 1,000 feet from the Elementary school and the High School is about 3,000 feet west of the Elementary School. Division owned cable could connect these units together.

In the case of Kitscoty, the two schools are actually on the same property, next door to one another with a distance of less than 1,000 feet. It would be logical to have these units working as one.

In Vermilion, the Vermilion Elementary School and the J.R. Robson School are actually connected by a 12 strand fiber link which was buried last year. The existence of this 10BaseT network, with it's high speed data flow capable of 5-10Mbps, will influence the architecture of the future BTRD WAN.

Benefits

Over time this flexibility will save the Board and Division many thousands of dollars in operating costs, capital upgrading and maintenance contracts with TELUS, who proposed connecting each unit individually.

Study Three: Local Telephone Access

Rational

One of the serious challenges facing the board is the fact that long distance charges apply to a great deal of the calling within the Division. Study Three analyzed the local and long distance dialing. The revenue from this savings could be applied to supporting the WAN infrastructure. It would be unrealistic to contend that all long distance costs could be eliminated, however, internal long distance could be significantly reduced using parallel technology to the WAN.

While the reduction of long distance charges is principally a financial move, it also has implications for the functional operation of the Division. This approach would help in the objective of making the Division feel like a unit and removing the perception of "them" and "us" that exists in many rural towns. It will also help the North/South pull within the Division.

Internet Interface

The view of the design team for the BTRD WAN includes access to the Internet because it is considered an essential communications component.

Assumptions and Issues

Multiple access to Internet in schools is highly desirable
Security has to be addressed with the Internet
Speed of Internet access is important to it's usability
Capacity of the Internet channel is important

We believe TELUSPlanet would be the most suitable, easiest to establish and most accessible ISP in this application. The service should be delivered to the WAN network hub. It should also be funded separately from the WAN development and use the TELUS World Learning Fund to support it.

E-mail

An E-mail system like First Class can run secured intranet e-mail behind a firewall.

Conclusions

Cost Issues and WAN Estimates

We recommend the network be built in sections using a phased approach.

Costs Calculations:

Local Connectivity Options, including TELUS Centrex, Fiber Optic (FO), Unserviced Copper
Rural Connectivity Options, including TELUS Centrex versus POTS Data Compression
Long Distance reductions including current, bridges and back-bone.

Recommendations

** Rest of executive summary omitted -- end of sample.