In recent years, campus networks have been established in a number of higher educational institutes and high schools in China. Many of these now need urgent upgrading with the rapid increase in student population and adoption of computer-assisted teaching. The successful installation of a new campus network in Dongzhimen Middle School in Beijing by ProCurve Networking will set an example for other schools aiming to upgrade in future.
The Dongzhimen Middle School was an early adopter of IT solutions, including multimedia and networking, but its old campus network urgently needed upgrading due to a dramatic growth in new applications and a greater emphasis on computer-aided teaching.
The school's experience with its previous network enabled it to see very clearly what an upgrade should deliver, and top of the wish-list was a highspeed network which was easy to maintain and expand as requirements evolved.
In 2006, the school started planning its new campus network, aiming to develop a highly functional, reliable, advanced, open and expandable system. For the school's internal operations, the chief aim was sharing of campus resources as well as the improvement of the school's day-to-day administration. In addition, the school wanted to use the IT network to enhance communications between teachers, parents and students through a new website, teachers' and students' homepage, email and a bulletin board.
Five years ago, ProCurve Networking launched Adaptive EDGE Architecture (AEA), and the Dongzhimen Middle School was able to observe the application of the technology in commercial environments before deciding to use it on campus.
The design of the new campus network is based on a three-layer infrastructure, including the core layer, convergence layer and access layer. The ProCurve Switch 9315 10G is used in the core layer to provide high-performance throughput and stability. This includes 15 module slots for future expansion. The ProCurve Switch 406zl with six module slots is used in the convergence layer, again allowing for expansion to meet future needs. In the access layer, a ProCurve Switch 2800 series is deployed. This increases the speed of the 100MB switch by a factor of 10, effectively providing bandwidth of up to 1Gb to the desktop. The 1Gb fiber from the core layer to the convergence layer can be upgraded to 10Gb, to increase data processing ability and protect the capital investment.
The network is divided into four subnets:The data centre network handles LAN data and control data from classrooms equipped with multimedia computers as well as from the administration building. A ProCurve Switch 2824 (with 24 1Gb Ethernet ports) and a ProCurve Switch 2848 (with 48 1Gb Ethernet ports) are used at the access layer, providing 1Gb connectivity to desktops. The network also has a ProCurve Switch 2626 which can provide 24 10/100M Ethernet ports and two 1000M uplink fiber ports. Data received from the classrooms, administration building, sports building, canteen and library, as well as data from the central control network are channeled to three HP ProCurve Switch 5406zl switches. The ProCurve Switch 5406zl convergent switch is connected with the ProCurve Switch 9315 core switch via 1Gb fiber optics.
The control network handles video data from three control systems for the school, including security control, inspection of the university entrance examinations, and the principal evaluation system. A ProCurve Switch 3400cl-24G switch is used as the access device, providing up to 88Gbps backplane bandwidth and 64Mbps throughput capacity. The control systems are integrated using a ProCurve 5406zl convergent switch, connected to a ProCurve 9315 core switch via 1Gb fiber optics.
The school server room network is separately managed by an IT administrator and is secured with higher access privileges. The school's three server rooms are each equipped with a ProCurve Switch 2650, and these are integrated using a ProCurve Switch 3400cl-24G switch.
The wireless network is built around the ProCurve Wireless Port 230, which can support 802.11a and 802.11b/g. With POE technology, the wireless AP devices are connected to a ProCurve Switch 2626 PWR which supplies power to the devices directly. For central management of the wireless AP devices and encryption certification of wireless ports, the school has deployed an activity directory +IAS+PCM+IDM based on an identity-driven user authentication solution, and a ProCurve module with wireless edge service connected to a ProCurve Switch 5308.
Network management is handled using ProCurve Manager Plus. The administrator can centrally configure, update and monitor all ProCurve devices, carry out troubleshooting and apply measurements on various network issues from all sites. The software can either function on its own or be integrated with HP OpenView Network Node Manager. The network manager can also monitor the status of several manufacturers' equipment at the same time. In addition, the use of plug-in modules such as Identity Driven Manager, can increase the PCM+ functions and provide additional mobility, security and integration features.
The "four networks in one" solution implemented by the Dongzhimen Middle School has received widespread praise. "The network infrastructure is well-designed," said Mr Shang Jinhua, the principal. "We have a very advanced network that is secure, easy to maintain and multi-functional, including data, wireless, video, control and management functions."
According to Mr Shang, another advantage is that the network can now be centrally controlled, using AEA to ensure security at the edge of the network.
"The new network is also cost-efficient. Many of the switches have lifetime warranty, supported by ProCurve's after-sales service, including next-day replacement plus free telephone and email support, as well as free software upgrades," said Mr Shang, adding that after-sales service was a critical factor in choosing the ProCurve solution.
