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Wireless infrastructure for schools from IBM
Executive summary Business view Technical details
The issues
Fast, cost-efficient access to technology
Limited resources, outdated technology and historic building architecture can make it difficult to effectively integrate new technology. The IBM wireless infrastructure for schools solution is designed to leverage existing hardware to expand your school’s architecture without expensive, invasive construction for fast, efficient wireless implementation.

The benchmark
IBM: An innovator in wireless technology
The IBM wireless infrastructure for schools solution combines innovative technology, extensive industry expertise and long-term technical support to help provide your school district with a flexible, scalable, end-to-end wireless solution. We offer:
  • Domain expertise -- IBM was an early leader in developing wireless LAN and Bluetooth technology for short-range wireless connectivity
  • Security-rich functionality -- we developed one of the first automated security auditing tools to monitor 802.11 wireless networks and collect security-related information
  • Systems integration and strategic outsourcing services to help procure, install, integrate and deploy products from multiple vendors for a best-in-class wireless implementation
  • A single point of contact for ongoing technical support

The components
Bringing schools into the 21st century
Network quickly from virtually anywhere on campus. Promote enhanced collaboration and data sharing between students and teachers. The wireless infrastructure for schools solution from IBM delivers a flexible, robust, end-to-end product and service portfolio to help:
  • Provide fast, reliable network connectivity with 2, 5, 11 and 24 Mbps speed wireless LANs
  • Deliver Internet access to hard-to-reach areas with bridging solutions that beam radio frequency (RF) signals from main buildings to trailers and mobile classrooms
  • Enhance infrastructure security through the added encryption of radio frequency signals
  • Bring the lab to students with the ThinkPad a la Carte program from IBM, a mobile cart that provides wireless network access to IBM ThinkPad notebook computers
  • Augment existing technology with PC cards that transform older laptops into wireless modems
  • Increase productivity and streamline IT processes -- one wireless workstation is significantly easier to manage and maintain than 10, 20 or 30 wired ports

The implementation
Seamless integration with IBM
Educators for one U.S. city wanted more than a million students to have fast access to Internet tools and data. IBM designed an implementation program to provide connectivity to more than 1,000 district schools within one year. First, category 5e drops were installed in each class, along with four-strand fiber to each high-density room and twelve-strand fiber between intermediate closets and the main telecommunications closet. Next, network cabling was run for building-to-building connectivity. Finally, switches for the Ethernet backbone were installed and a Frame Relay Hub and wide area network were built.

The cost of ownership
Wireless: the cost-effective alternative
The IBM wireless infrastructure for schools solution can help you integrate wireless technology with existing infrastructure to reduce your overall cost of ownership with:
  • Quick, cost-effective installation without the time-consuming construction required by wired systems
  • Less labor and time-intensive maintenance than wired systems
  • Reduced costs by eliminating the need for expensive hard wiring construction and asbestos removal in older schools


*ThinkPad notebooks, ThinkCentre desktops and other PC products are now products of Lenovo. Links notated by an asterisk (*) will take you to Lenovo's Web site. Learn more.



Hardware
IBM Wireless Solutions*