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

2. 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!

3. What’s the Problem?
• 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

4. Show Me Some Data!
Thursday
May 6th
Wednesday
May 5th
End of the
Start of the
school day
school day
End of the
school day
Start of the
school day

5. 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

6. 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

7. • DMS to serve as the “hub” for point to point
wireless connections
• 50-100 foot tower placed on the roof of DMS
• Connection speeds of 125-300 mbs
• Currently, we have 2mbs between schools

8. Fiber Connections