School IT Network Reliability Review – Critical Issues

Each Principal and IT Manager knows the risks that the school faces if the network goes down.  e-Learning Projects and Virtual Learning Environments will mean even greater risks due to the openness of the portals and the potential risk of experiencing data storage issues.  Every school needs to review the risks in their network infrastructure.  These might include:

• Secure Authentication of staff, students, parents and Alumni student.
• Deploying new servers – Virtualisation and specification of current and future servers.
• IP Telephony Support – now part of the network to be supported.
• Efficient loading of new software and updating current SOE profile.
• Data File Storage for teachers and students and IT school operation.
• Wireless – extensive use.
• Imaging Services – no longer just print server.
• Virus Protection and Filtering.
• Data Storage Capacity, back up and data retrieval.

Server Virtualisation – Yes or no?

Regardless of what vendor’s virtualisation software is used, virtualisation must also be considered to allow for expansion and the more efficient use of the servers within the school.

Data Storage

Each school must plan for data storage for all users, especially as schools develop Virtual Learning Environment Portals where staff, students, parents and Alumni members can interact. There are four key questions to ask:

• How much space do we allocate?
• How secure is this access?
• Where is it backed up to?
• How fast can staff and students retrieve their data?

Security - Authentication Security

Do students and staff have secure access and easy administration for the school internal networks and internet portals and school communities? Secure wireless connectivity access is essential for all students, staff and visitors.

Managing and Assigning IP Addresses and Settings

Have you considered the implication of IPv6 on your school? Are you aware the Federal Government has deemed that all Government networks must be IPv6 compliant by Dec 2012?

Network Maintenance and Support

Is there a need for an audit?

• Do you have / need 4 hour on-site Server warranty or maintenance? Other options including remote monitoring and management.
• Deployment of Windows updates.
• Is Virus Protection updated in the school and at home for staff and students?
• Is it easy to deliver new Windows updates, patches and new software?
• Need additional external IT support for non-maintenance strategic projects such as IP Telephony and Video Conferencing?

Power and Back up in Server Room

Review your vulnerable areas including:

• Lack of redundancy for UPS
• Cables – poorly organised / managed
• Hot spots
• Inefficient air-conditioning
• Disorganised Rack Layout
• Check of Batteries
• Current UPS almost full capacity
• No UPS Maintenance performed
• No load or temperature monitoring in place

It is necessary to perform an audit in your Server or Data Centre Room to determine what risks can be circumvented ahead of a power and back up (critical) issue.

Network Review Stages

• Review the current infrastructure – maybe an external reviewer is needed to offer advice.
• Legacy services – what must continue to be supported and for how long?
• Plan the Disaster Recovery (DR) infrastructure needed by reviewing current needs and plan for expansion in the next five years. This may mean upgrading certain parts of the network.
• Perform the upgrades before commencing DR infrastructure work. Virtualise servers only after this base platform has been upgraded.

Disaster Recovery Solution

Each school must have a Disaster Recovery (DR) Solution. This solution must:

• Be simple to administer and manage
• Have one single easy to manage interface
• Have secure staff access according to school staff roles
• Be automated so IT staff only spend time on strategic work

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