UCM WAN NETWORK UPGRADE PROPOSAL

PREPARED BYWisdom Machacha(IT Coordinator FGTI - Beira)

OBJECTIVES

Identify the connectivity needs of all UCM campuses. Assessment of the existing connectivity solutions at UCM. Propose connectivity solutions for UCM. Produce a WAN topology design which can support ARIS, UIS,

SUGIK and other university wide e-learning initiatives. Specify termination equipment required for all campuses. Propose relevant ICT staff training to support the network. Propose a budget and implementation phases and time frames.

WHY UPGRADE?

To support:– An increase in staff and students PCs.– The blended FGTI Masters in IT degree– The blended SUGIK, GIS Masters program– Effective UIS (ARIS, Primavera)– Effective communication (mail, web, chats, VoIP)

The CED distance education programs will have to go online.

The proposed university-wide e-learning initiative.

Benefits of E-Learning

Convenience and Portability Cost and Selection Flexibility Higher Retention Greater Collaboration Global Opportunities

Source: http://www.worldwidelearn.com/elearning-essentials/elearning-benefits.htm

CURRENT CONNECTIVITY STATUS

Faculty 

Bandwidth

Cost (Mts) 

Type 

Reliability 

Service Provider Down Up

FEG 2mbps  512kbps 5,400.00 ADSL (shared)  unacceptable TDM

FEG Chimoio  128kbps  64kbps  899.00 ADSL (shared) unacceptable

TDM

FEG Tete

 unacceptable

FMed 2mbps  512kbps 5,400.00 ADSL (shared)  unacceptable TDM

FGTI  1mbps 128kbps  19,750.00 V-Sat (shared) unacceptable

Geolink 

FEC

 unacceptable

FDir 1mbps 512kbps 15,026.67 V-Sat (shared)  unacceptable Bentley Walker

FAgric  128kbps 64kbps  1,500.00 ADSL (shared) unacceptable

Teledata 

CED  512kbps 256kbps 2,564.00 ADSL (shared) unacceptable

TDM

Available Connectivity Options

Dial-up acces using TDM voice grade lines, ADSL using TDM telephone lines, Wimax technology provided by Teledata GPRS/EDGE technology used by cellular

companies VSAT based satellite communication. Fibre optic connection through TDM network.

PROPOSED SOLUTION

TDM Fibre optic solution (Jan 2009)– TDM fibre back-borne covers 98% of country– This is the most technically viable solution at the

moment. MoRENet (Jan 2010)

– This is the future– Wireless links in the cities– Will however still depend on TDM on inter-city

links

PROJECT PHASES

Phase 1 (January 2009)– upgrading the current connection of FMED– A fixed IP, a leased data line and router/firewall will need to be

purchased. Phase 2 (February 2009)

– Connecting FEG to FMED– Connect CED to the FMED– This will be done through leased data circuits from TDM– Purchase of firewall to install at FMED

Phase 3 (August 2009)– Connect the rest of the campuses to the FMED in Beira.– purchase of routers and leased data circuits

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST$$$

Cost done for each phase– Equipment costs– Monthly fixed charges

Phase 1 Equipment

FIXED INITIAL COSTS PHASE 1 (Purchasing Equipment Locally through TDM)

FMED Description of Item Unit Cost

Quantity Total Cost

Cabling 3,668.001 3,668.00

Router 58,154.001 58,154.00

Network Module 78,084.001 78,084.00

Labour 18,000.001 18,000.00

Consultancy Fees 25,000.001 25,000.00

Total Cost (MTN)182,906.00

Total Cost (USD) @24.57465.56

Phase 1 Bandwidth Costs

Ongoing Costs Bandwidth Costs Cost

FMED 1Mbps 109,850.00

Cost (USD) 4,483.67

Cost (USD) /annum 53,804.04

Phase 2 Equipment

FIXED INITIAL COSTS PHASE 2 (Purchasing Equipment Locally through TDM)

CED Description of Item Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

Cabling (Cisco V35 cable male) 3,668.00 1 3,668.00

Router (Cisco 1841) 34,650.00 1 34,650.00

Interface WIC-1T Serial Card 8,804.00 1 8,804.00

Labour 18,000.00 1 18,000.00

Consultancy Fees 25,000.00 1 25,000.00

Total Cost (MTN) 90,122.00

Total Cost (USD) @24.5 3,678.45

FEG Description of Item Unit Cost Quantity Total Cost

Cabling (Cisco V35 cable male) 3,668.00 1 3,668.00

Router (Cisco 1841) 34,650.00 1 34,650.00

Interface WIC-1T Serial Card 8,804.00 1 8,804.00

Labour 18,000.00 1 18,000.00

Consultancy Fees 25,000.00 1 25,000.00

Total Cost (MTN) 90,122.00

Total Cost (USD) @24.5 3,678.45

Phase 2 Bandwidth

Ongoing Costs Bandwidth Costs Cost per month

FMED 1Mbps 109,850.00

CED 1Mbps 27,500.00

FEG 1Mbps 27,500.00

Total (MTN) 164,850.00

Total (USD) 6,728.57

Total (USD) /annum 80,742.84

Electrical Power

Stable and reliable power supply– The servers have to be connected to a UPS– Power cuts interrupt accessibility– Computer and data are sensitive to unreliable

power supplies– Standby generators in case of power outages– Failure to access due to power failures derails

user confidence

Skills and Skills development

Need to put resources and mechanisms for continious skills development

– Support staff training Attendance to conferences New technologies training Certified staff (CCNA, MSCSE, RHCE, etc)

– Content development training for lecturers– Student and lecturer training on proper use of e-learning platform

KEWL Moodle WebCT etc

Conclusion

The success of E-learning in Higher education hinges on:– Proper ICT infrastructure– Enabling policy framework– Adequate resources– Competent support staff– Continious and effective user training