Revitalise education with a modern campus network

Greg Kovich

March 18, 2024

A modern, campus-wide network upgrade aligns capabilities with academic, research and business priorities today and tomorrow. 

In the 1970s memory-programmable controls and computers first appeared. That made interconnected devices possible, and by the early 2000s we had the internet in the palms of our hands. Today, Generation Z – those born between 1996 and 2010 –has never known a world without data sharing.

Doesn’t that mean it’s time to revitalise the way we teach?

A modern campus network makes it possible for academic institutions to unleash a raft of engaging and personalised teaching options that leverage digital age technologies. Large numbers of users, data, devices, applications and systems can be supported end-to-end across wired and wireless networks, including off-campus locations. With fast access to the high-capacity bandwidth, applications and services that transform the learning environment are readily available.

Before an educational institution modernises its campus network, here are a few points to guide decision-making.

1. Build for flexibility

The first thing to consider is the fast-changing nature of technology. That means no educational institution can be certain of its long-term requirements. These uncertainties make it even more important to choose network approaches and solutions that will continue to make sense and pay off in the long term.

Five factors give educational institutions the flexibility to manage network expenses and evolution in a way that will maximise network benefits and return on investment.

• Flexible deployment models with the ability to move to the cloud at your pace

• Flexible financial models, including a more predictable Network-as-a-Service model that minimises upfront investment and accelerates network upgrades

• Built-in features and functions with no extra fees or deployment effort for a faster, easier approach to advancing network capabilities

• Comprehensive network solutions that ease adoption of advanced tools, technologies, applications and services without compatibility issues

• Environmentally friendly solutions that reduce power and cooling requirements to lower energy consumption and achieve sustainability goals

2. Defend against cyberthreats

Cyberthreats are real – and even more so with online teaching.

Educational institutions should adopt a Zero trust network access (ZTNA) security strategy. With ZTNA, no user, device, or application has implicit trust – no matter where it is located – which is the most effective way to reduce internal and external risks and manage the ever evolving cyberthreat landscape.

There is no specific technology or solution set that makes a network zero trust. Instead, every network solution must support mechanisms that contribute to the zero trust paradigm. These mechanisms include:

• End-to-end encryption of every hardware and software element in the network to protect communications and information from origin to destination

• Unified network access control so that IT teams can consistently define which users, devices and applications can access different types of functionality

• Consistent application of security policies across hardware and software elements from the same product family reduces the risk that different policies or policy versions will introduce vulnerabilities in the network

• Integration of network solutions with existing or best-of-breed cybersecurity solutions, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, leads to a consistent and context-aware approach to cyberthreat mitigation

3. Streamline for efficiency

Education leaders should look for network solutions that make it faster and easier for IT teams to deploy new applications and services and keep the network running at peak performance. This will save time and money and also reduce the burden on IT teams, allowing them to focus on strategic priorities rather than routine and mundane tasks.

Simplicity starts with a single network infrastructure, a single, unified operating system and a single-pane-of-glass network management platform. Solutions must be straightforward and intuitive to increase operational efficiency and reduce the need for staff training. Software-defined solutions and the ability to automate workflows will minimise the need to perform manual tasks to further streamline network operations.

Network solutions that are based on open standards are designed to easily interoperate with other systems and technologies. As a result, IT teams can avoid the hassles and additional points of failure and vulnerability that are introduced when adapters, converters and workarounds are required to overcome incompatibilities.

Finally, network solutions must come with simplified, hassle-free licensing, strong warranties and technical support services. These elements are essential to eliminate unexpected, hidden fees as new or different requirements emerge and to ensure every network element provides maximum value over its lifespan.

Partner for modernisation

Upgrading to a modern, campus-wide network is a significant undertaking, and the technology partner’s approach to network infrastructure and technologies is critical. A converged network that aligns network capabilities with academic, research and business priorities today and tomorrow is the optimal approach from operational and financial perspectives.

Academic institutions should work with a network partner that provides deep experience, technical expertise and a flexible, cost-effective approach.