[CAnet - news] Customer owned fiber for schools enables new applications and services

For more information on this item please visit the CANARIE CA*net 4 Optical
Internet program web site at http://www.canarie.ca/canet4/library/list.html
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[The Pembina Trails School district customer owned dark fiber network is a
great example of how such networks enable schools to deploy new broadband
services at very low cost. The ObjectWorld unified messaging systems is a
great example where low cost soft phones can be deployed in every class
room. Thanks to Don Reece for this pointer--BSA]

Pembina Trails School Division Unleashes Fastest Fibre-Optic School Division
Network in Canada


On Wednesday, October 18th, Winnipeg's Pembina Trails School Division
officially 'lights the cable' of the fastest, most powerful fibre-optic
educational network in Canada. (http://www.pembinatrails.ca)


The new 'dark fibre' network consists of 44 kms of fibre optic cable
providing virtually unlimited band-width.  Students will have access to
information at a speed 850 times faster than at home high-speed, and the
potential to link with other fibre-optic networks at libraries and
universities the world over. Robust security features are integrated and the
entire network is maintained in-house by School Division staff.

"There is no limit to what this system can provide," says Don Reece,
Director of Information Technology for Pembina Trails. "With fibre linking
us to global information portals like the Manitoba Research Network and
CANet3 we will be truly virtual, providing our students and staff with ultra
fast pathways to educational resources second to none in the world."

While exploring the boundaries of the technological universe might seem
expensive, taking the lead in an IT revolution has its advantages. A number
of vendors and manufacturers have joined forces with Pembina Trails to
create a model for change that makes good business sense.

"We have partnerships with Microsoft, Dell, Sun Microsystems, ObjectWorld,
MERLIN, Xerox and Acer," says Don. "They want to push the boundaries and
showcase what the technology can do.

And it can do plenty. In the classroom, where the rubber hits the road, the
virtually unlimited Internet bandwidth Pembina Trails receives through its 1
gigabit connection to M.E.R.L.I.N., (Manitoba Education Research & Learning
Information Network) allows our students to browse through a connection
second to none in Canada, making waiting for data a thing of the past.

When schools in Pembina Trails need software updated or added to computers
they simply contact their IT Department and network technicians "push" the
programs onto the computers in seconds through the fast, reliable fiber
optic network.  Students are not disturbed by intrusive visits to labs for
maintenance or updates and repairs are accomplished remotely, using the
network.

Feature-rich activities like video, audio and real-time collaboration are
all possible when bandwidth is limitless and technology is seamlessly
integrated into classrooms and programs.  Pembina Trails is an award-winning
leader in utilizing technology to support innovative teachers and students
while they maximize opportunities to create their future.

Not only can Pembina Trails IT staff support and maintain the network
themselves, reaching through their fibre connection to repair and problem
solve from their desks at the Pembina Trails administrative offices, the
introduction of Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, has the potential to
provide savings of some $200,000 per year.

"Dark fibre is an investment in the future that delivers in the present",
says Pembina Trails Superintendent Paul Moreau. "The business case for this
advancement is solid. We've spent considerable time evaluating our options
and believe our system delivers significant value to our staff and students
while ensuring a significant return on investment."

The official launch takes place at the Pembina Trails Division office, 181
Henlow Bay on Wednesday, October 18th, at 1:00 p.m. Division staff and
students will be on hand to demonstrate the dark fibre system's capability
and answer questions.


Partners Information:

Sun Microsystems - Thin Client Project

PTSD has partnered with Sun Microsystems on two occasions working to develop
a project where central servers transmit programs and data to remote
terminals in public areas in schools like libraries, student lounges,
meeting areas and study halls.  These terminals would have the ability to
browse the internet, word process, print and save to home directories.  The
terminals require login authentication that then brings up a specific
desktop and file structure depending on the user who logs in.  The terminals
are virtually indestructible and have no value if not connected to a special
server on the network. The terminals have no moving parts like hard drives
and can be easily replaced by any staff member if they aren't working
properly.  The lifecycle of these terminals is 7-8 years and only the
servers have to be updated as software applications change.  The speed of
the fiber optic network is the foundation that allows this architecture to
be spread to any school in the division.  This allows centralization of
servers without duplication of resources or decrease in performance.

Xerox - Divisional Digital Scanning and Printing

PTSD has partnered with Xerox to create an environment that allows teachers
to print or scan to any printing device in the division from any computer or
copier in the division.  Teachers can use Xerox multifunction devices to
scan to email, scan to fax, scan to a pdf that goes to their home directory
or scan to print any printing device in the division.  Teachers can print
from their desktop computers to the print shop, to copiers in any school, to
any printer in any school, to color copiers or printers.  The print shop
offers sophisticated finishing like coil binding, signature booklets, saddle
stitching and color printing.  All printing is tracked with accounting
software and teachers use their existing Active Directory credentials to
give them access to divisional resources with a single login.  All the
copiers, printers and print shop tools are configured, maintained and
monitored remotely so technicians do not have to disturb users and clients
don't have to accommodate travel time.  The one gigabit fiber optic network
has made the moving of these large graphic files and central storage
possible without delays or diminished performance. 

ObjectWorld - Voice Over IP and Unified Messaging

PTSD has partnered with ObjectWorld to develop a proof of concept for the
first educational rollout of VOIP supporting true unified messaging that
fully integrates Active Directory.  This means PTSD leverages all of the
work, skills and profiles already in use in the wide area network to support
the added opportunities offered by unified messaging.  Unified messaging
means the division will supply its own telephone exchange to leverage the
existing teacher profiles to give them phone, fax, email, messaging to their
desktops.  Teachers can view their phone messages on their computer or
listen to their email on their phone.  The ObjectWorld structure of VOIP
allows the division to use the new VOIP phone system to broadcast messages
as a Public Address system, to broadcast audio and video to all or portions
of the division's classrooms and buildings at one time, to connect phones in
the division, in the city and province and internationally at a dramatic
cost savings.  Technicians do not need to learn new complex skills, but
rather utilize the current skill set they use supporting the existing Active
Directory.  Telephone and computer hardware can be supplied by any vendor
and changes like additions, number changes, support and maintenance will be
completed by the current IT Staff at no additional cost to the division.
The fiber optic network provides the bandwidth, security and reliability to
support this view into the future of messaging.

M.E.R.L.I.N., (Manitoba Education Research & Learning Information Network) -
Central Network Management

PTSD has partnered with MERLIN to acquire licenses to use Central Network
Management software like Microsoft Systems Management Software and Microsoft
Windows Server 2003 to support the Active Directory structure of the wide
area network in Pembina Trails School Division.  MERLIN has been a trusted
technical advisor helping to ensure the fiber optic network build conformed
to standards and that the configuration and maintenance of the network
follows best practice.  MERLIN supports the filtering of web content to
schools, controls SPAM in email before it reaches clients and supplies every
student with a safe email environment through the Provincial Cyberschools
Portal.  PTSD and MERLIN are connected through a 1 gigabit fiber link and
MERLIN offers virtually unlimited levels of Internet access as part of the
partnership with PTSD.  The division has the ability to leverage all of
these complex services from MERLIN through the high capacity, robust fiber
optic network connecting all schools to the IT Department.

Dell - Network hardware and software

PTSD has partnered with Dell Canada to power its fiber optic network with
high performance, low cost dependable network hardware and software.
Pembina Trails has a central Storage Area Network that combines terabytes of
storage with gigahertz of processor power to create virtual servers on
demand that support any need that might arise.  PTSD uses VMWare supplied by
Dell to maintain and modify these virtual servers. Dell Canada provided all
of the switches that power the 44 kms or 48 strand fiber optic cable that
connects all of the buildings that make up the Pembina Trails School
Division at a significant discount.  The network runs at 1 gigabit but has
limitless potential with the switching of low cost electronics at the Dell
switches.  Dell hardware has proven to be reliable and effective in its
roles as the catalyst to carry the data throughout the division. 

Manitoba Education Citizenship and Youth - BizTalk

PTSD has partnered with MECY to work with Microsoft to build a BizTalk
server to support the provincial EIS data exchange application.  PTSD has
experience using a centralized student administrative application, (MAYET)
and has talented SQL programmers who currently write filters to massage
school data to accommodate the MECY format.  MECY and Microsoft working with
PTSD technicians wish to utilize the robust fiber optic network and high
bandwidth between the division and MERLIN to build a BizTalk server proof of
concept capable of supporting the provinces EIS needs.  Pembina Trails'
network experience with both MAYET and remote maintenance and support
through the fiber optic network make this partnership attractive for all
stakeholders.

Dragonfly Software - Universal Access Web Based Learning Software

PTSD has partnered with Dragonfly Software to host a proof of concept for
universal-access games to teach children at all developmental levels.  The
Province of Manitoba has recognized Dragonfly with a Manitoba SmartPartner
Award in 2006 for its innovative and educational software.  The Pembina
Trails bandwidth and reliable network configuration offered an attractive
platform to test this web based, universal access software.  Since PTSD
follows a model of best practice and recognizes the future of universal
access and web based applications this partnership offers true synergy for
both stakeholders to leverage Manitoba software through a world class
network architecture.

Microsoft Canada - Sharepoint, SMS and Active Directory

PTSD has enjoyed a long standing partnership with Microsoft Canada.  From
the inception of the divisional Active Directory structure in its Wide Area
Network to the current use of the Sharepoint Portal Microsoft has been there
to support PTSD with training, software and a place to share the vision.
Microsoft has pointed PTSD staff in the direction of best practice through
attendance at the Microsoft Connected Learning Communities forum.  Visits
from Sharon Hart and Mike Parkhill have inspired teaching staff to push the
IT Department to create a robust network capable of supporting the
technology available from Microsoft to allow students to meet their
potential.  In many ways the fiber optic network is a result of the
potential invited by the power of Microsoft Enterprise software coupled with
the strong support for education wrapped in the vision provided by Microsoft
staff.



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These news items and comments are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect
those  of the CANARIE board or management.



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