Stratford’s NetworkStratford’s Network

A Virtual Trip Through the Inner Workings of a Public A Virtual Trip Through the Inner Workings of a Public High School Computer NetworkHigh School Computer Network

Jessica MossJessica Moss4 February 20084 February 2008

EdTech 575EdTech 575

IntroductionIntroductionAs a public school teacher, I use the school network on a daily basis. It streamlines tasks like taking attendance or recording grades, and allows me to access the Internet for resources. I’d be lost without the communication it provides.

A network is simply a group of computers communicating with one another. But how does the network actually work? I took a tour with one of our district technicians to find out…

School BackgroundSchool BackgroundStratford High SchoolStratford High School• Grades 9-12Grades 9-12• ~3000 students~3000 students• ~600 computers~600 computers• Each classroom and office has at Each classroom and office has at

least 1 networked computerleast 1 networked computer

WAN OverviewWAN OverviewAll network activity for the Berkeley All network activity for the Berkeley

County School District is managed County School District is managed through the district office. It uses a through the district office. It uses a metro ethernet line to connect to every metro ethernet line to connect to every school in the district. This is referred to school in the district. This is referred to as the wide area network, or WAN. On as the wide area network, or WAN. On the illustration in the next slide, Stratford the illustration in the next slide, Stratford High is “SHS,” located in the Bellsouth High is “SHS,” located in the Bellsouth cluster. cluster.

LAN OverviewLAN OverviewWithin Stratford itself we Within Stratford itself we

find a smaller network. find a smaller network. This local area network This local area network (LAN) connects the (LAN) connects the individual computers of individual computers of the school to the main the school to the main server, where they access server, where they access local programs and files. local programs and files. It also connects the school It also connects the school to the WAN, accessing to the WAN, accessing district-wide resources like district-wide resources like email and the Internet.email and the Internet.

LAN OverviewLAN Overview

OverviewOverviewAs seen on the previous slide, the basic As seen on the previous slide, the basic network setup includes the following:network setup includes the following:

1.1. District Office (WAN)District Office (WAN)2.2. Main Data Feed (Core Switch)Main Data Feed (Core Switch)3.3. Independent Data Feeds (IDF)Independent Data Feeds (IDF)4.4. Server(s)Server(s)5.5. Independent WorkstationsIndependent Workstations

District OfficeDistrict OfficeThe district office houses The district office houses the hub of all network the hub of all network activity for the various activity for the various schools. In addition to schools. In addition to being the seat of being the seat of technical operations, it technical operations, it manages:manages:

Email (Groupwise)Email (Groupwise)SecuritySecurityIntranet (“Distoffice”)Intranet (“Distoffice”)Berkeley County School District Home Pa

ge

IntranetIntranetAs opposed to the Internet which can be As opposed to the Internet which can be

accessed by almost anyone, the local accessed by almost anyone, the local intranet (ours is called “Distoffice”) is intranet (ours is called “Distoffice”) is accessible only to computers within its accessible only to computers within its network. It maintains information not network. It maintains information not given to the general public, including given to the general public, including personnel forms, employee benefits, and personnel forms, employee benefits, and policy manuals.policy manuals.

Main Data FeedMain Data FeedThe district connects to The district connects to

Stratford High through the Stratford High through the main data feed (MDF), or main data feed (MDF), or core switch. This basically core switch. This basically controls the entire network controls the entire network at the school level, using at the school level, using fiber optic lines to connect fiber optic lines to connect to independent data feeds. to independent data feeds. Should power go out, it has Should power go out, it has a battery backup for 30 a battery backup for 30 crucial minutes. It is also crucial minutes. It is also located in a very located in a very unassuming upstairs closet.unassuming upstairs closet.

Independent Data FeedsIndependent Data FeedsIn several other In several other

unassuming closets unassuming closets throughout the throughout the school, we find school, we find independent data independent data feeds (IDFs). These feeds (IDFs). These connect the individual connect the individual computers to the computers to the main data feed, and main data feed, and thus to the entire thus to the entire network. network.

ServerServerOn the side of the LAN overview chart is a On the side of the LAN overview chart is a

lone computer called labeled “Server.” lone computer called labeled “Server.” Servers act like a main hard drive, storing Servers act like a main hard drive, storing and maintaining information across the and maintaining information across the network. They give teachers access to network. They give teachers access to common programs and provide them with common programs and provide them with space to store important files. They send space to store important files. They send information to individual computers information to individual computers (clients) through the MDF and IDFs.(clients) through the MDF and IDFs.

ServerServerThis is the root (“Media”) This is the root (“Media”)

server for most of the server for most of the computers in the school. It computers in the school. It manages a LOT of programs. manages a LOT of programs. Some, like Integrade Pro, Some, like Integrade Pro, are used by all teachers are used by all teachers while others are subject-while others are subject-specific. Other servers specific. Other servers exist, including “Admin” and exist, including “Admin” and “Guidance,” with separate “Guidance,” with separate functions. The discs on top functions. The discs on top are the daily backups.are the daily backups.

SoftwareSoftwareStratford’s network uses Novell Stratford’s network uses Novell

Network Software, Network Software, McAfee McAfee NetshieldNetshield, , and and LightspeedLightspeed security. Other security. Other programs are used via the network programs are used via the network including:including:

GroupwiseGroupwise Email Email IntegradeIntegrade Pro Pro ClassXPClassXP/SASI /SASI

WorkstationWorkstationWhat that means for me, as an individual teacher, is What that means for me, as an individual teacher, is

that all I have to do is plug my computer into a that all I have to do is plug my computer into a handy outlet, and I have complete access.handy outlet, and I have complete access.

LayoutLayoutThe following map shows the layout of The following map shows the layout of

one floor of the school, indicating the one floor of the school, indicating the placement of the MDF, some IDFs, placement of the MDF, some IDFs, and two servers (Media and and two servers (Media and Guidance). It is not to scale, but Guidance). It is not to scale, but gives a good picture of how the gives a good picture of how the network is spread out in the actual network is spread out in the actual building.building.

For More Info…For More Info…Berkeley County Office of TechnologyBerkeley County Office of Technology

Webopedia:Webopedia: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/n/network.htmlhttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/n/network.html

Techsoup: Techsoup: http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/networks/page477http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/networks/page4774.cfm4.cfm

Network Tutorials: Network Tutorials: http://www.networktutorials.info/http://www.networktutorials.info/