A Fieldtrip through the LADSE network

Your Guide: Carrie Morfoot

Introduction

• LADSE is a Special Education cooperative• The building’s featured in this tour are the

main administration building and my off-site transition center

• Jonathan Adamczewski, the IT professional that services LADSE, provided the tour and explanation of LADSE’s network

(Dell, 2005)

Network DefinitionsBroadband Router: A device that provides access to the Internet for multiple computers. "Wireless" broadband routers include an 802.11g access point.

Definitions: (PCMAG.COM, 2010)

File Server: A high-speed computer in a network that stores the programs and data files shared by users. It acts like a remote disk drive.

Notebook: A laptop computer that weighs in a range from five to seven pounds.

Desktop: A single-user computer. It typically refers to a PC or Mac, but may also refer to Linux PC.

LAN Switch: A network device that cross-connects clients, servers and network devices. Also known as a "frame switch," stand-alone LAN switches are common in all Ethernet networks.

Ethernet: The standard local area network (LAN) access method. Ethernet is used to connect computers in a company or home network as well as to connect a single computer to a cable modem or DSL modem for Internet access.

Internet: The global network of networks, composed of hundreds of millions of computers in more than 100 countries.

Storage: The permanent holding place for digital data, until purposely erased.

Where it all began...

• The control room is where the network begins. The phone box in this picture is the original phone system, this is where all of the old phone lines used to enter the building and route out to throughout the building. This box now serves as the entry point for both the phone and internet connections.

Where the “new” begins..

• From the entry panel, the phone line is run to the T1 connection which then runs out to the phone gateway. From this point, both the phone system and the internet are connected to the building through a series of switches.

Switches, Switches, Switches…

• The series of switches and Ethernet cables are used to hardwire the building. The LAN consists of computers, printers and the phone system.

“The switches are like the tree. Everything branches off of it”

Jonathan Adamczewski

Servers

• The servers housed inside the server cabinet store all shared applications as well as storage for employee drives and information. The phone system also stores all voice mail accounts within the servers.

Wireless Access (WAN)

• To provide internet service throughout the building, there are 5 wireless access points used to cover the entire building. These access points are placed to ensure that no dead spots exist. The illustration below shows how wireless coverage should overlap to ensure complete coverage of a building.

(Dell, 2005)

Office Network

• At the center where I work, there is a small network consisting of computers, printers and a video phone.

• The network begins with a wireless router which serves as an access point, router and 4 port switch. It is used to connect the entire network within the center.

Connection Map

Wireless Router/Modem

Computers SwitchVideo Phone

Printer and ComputerLaptop Each yellow arrow represents a hardwire connection

using an Ethernet cable

I learned…

• That networks, no matter how big or small, play a vital role in how the school system connects its technology.

• All networks consist of the same basic parts with varying capabilities and numbers of components.

• Even if it looks like a giant mess, it is all put together in an intricate matter to make the network work to its optimal capacity.

References

Dell. (Photographer). (2005). Wireless technology. [Web]. Retrieved from http://vietnamemorial.com/certs/certifications/dwireless/Wireless_T/printer.htm

Bustan, A. (Photographer). Networking. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.albustancomputers.co.cc/

PCMAG.COM, . (2010). Definitions. Pc magazine encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/