Wiring+Recommendations

//__**Network Infrastructure - Wiring**__//

Washington Elementary's network infrastructure is designed to meet the current and future needs of our district's 21st century learners. Many considerations have been addressed regarding the influx of high bandwidth applications which are readily available through PAIUnet, Discovery Streaming, Safari Montage and the Internet in general. This, combined with the proliferation of mobile devices, requires the construction of a robust network capable of meeting the current and future needs of the school.

Washington's infrastructure backbone begins with its primary Wide Area Network/Local Area Network/Internet connection. The primary Wide Area Network/Local Area Network/Internet connection will be provided through Level3 Communications. This 20MB, dedicated fiber optic connection will ensure the availability of network resources provided by the district as well as internet connectivity at all times. Level3's edge device will be provided and installed by Level3 in Washington's MDF. Once the installation has been completed, RASD's Information Technology Services will complete the physical fiber connections from the edge device to Washington's router. RASD's network engineer will complete the logical configuration to integrate Washington's network on to the RASD Wide Area Network (WAN) once physical installation is completed.

The backbone continues with fiber optic connections from the Cisco Catalyst 4900M switch in the 1st floor MDF to the Cisco Catalyst 4948 switches in each IDF located throughout the building. Since Washington is approximately 800ft. wide, fiber optic cable was the chosen media to interconnect these networking closets due to its ability to be installed over long distances with little performance degredation. We anticipate the total amount of fiber optic cable needed to complete the backbone to be approximately 800 ft. Since each closet will have a minimum of two 4948 switches, fiber optic cable will be used as to interconnect these network closets to ensure the largest amount of bandwidth is available to all users of the network at all times. The backbone is completed when all switches are online and able to communicate with the district's networking monitoring software.

Connections to the network devices such as IP Phones, computer, printers, etc. will be constructed of Cat6 Ethernet cable installed from the closest networking closet. Each classroom will have eight physical Ethernet wall jacks. Both computer labs will have thirty physical Ethernet wall jacks. The library/media center will have twenty physical Ethernet wall jacks. All rooms will have access to the wireless network. Wireless access points will have a single Cat6 cable installed connecting them to the nearest networking closet. While we currently plan on installing two wireless access points in each wing/floor, a total of five separate Cat6 Ethernet cables will be equally spaced and installed on each wing/floor to allow for upgrades to accommodate more wireless devices in the future.

Physical installation and testing of wiring will be installed by Dauphin Datacom. Cat6 Ethernet cable, wall plates, wall jacks and fiber couplers will be provided by the District.