Essex Curriculum ICT Technical Support Partnership

Essex Schools, Children and Families Service working with Support Companies   Updating or extending network cabling The computer workstations in your school are connected to the server and hence to the internet by cables or wireless technology. The cables are the backbone of your network and would normally connect the server to each of the fixed workstations and those linked to whiteboards. Cables are always going to provide a much faster connection than wireless (often at least 10 times faster). The flow of data through the cables is controlled by switches (very old ones were called hubs) and these need to work together to provide an effective network. The speed of transfer over the cable has increased from 10Mbps to 100Mbps and now 1Gbps (1000Mbps)  assuming that each of the components along the line can handle the speed.  We currently expect newly installed servers to communicate with switches and storage devices using 1Gbs. Although newer workstations can run at 1Gbps  there may be little advantage in replacing cables to them in the next year or so but it  may be worth paying a little extra when adding new cables runs or new switches which can operate at the higher speed. Consider the use of fast fibre optic or laser based solutions between buildings or sites. Your cabling support partner can check your network and provide updated switches and cabling to make the network run efficiently. ICT Team Support Partner School Research ‘What works well’ in schools and links with Becta and the main providers to ensure that advice is up-to-date. Disseminate information through websites, the Helpline and Support partner meetings. The e-gfl purchasing portal lists a number of workstations, switches and other devices that are appropriate for school use. They will have been chosen for their appropriateness for the school environment as well as their warranty and preinstalled software Be aware of the special requirements of schools especially in terms of login speeds and the need for multimedia traffic on the network. Give sound and cost effective advice when upgrading or extending cabling taking into account realistic usage scenarios. Schedule work to minimize interruption to normal school working. Ensure that all cabling and trunking is carefully installed and suited to the nature of the building. Ensure that all health and safety requirements are met. Seek advice from the ICT helpline before obtaining quotes from companies. Choose companies from the list of support partners that can provide cabling. Ensure that key workstations such as those connected to whiteboards have fast access to the server and internet. Weigh up the speed advantage of cabled systems to wireless systems when planning changes to the network. Ensure that cabling, particularly long or difficult runs, are capable of higher speeds to save having to replace them later. Main menu