KPSN Broadband Partnerships (Clusters) A Guide for Schools

Transcription

1 KPSN Broadband Partnerships (Clusters) A Guide for Schools V1.3 May 2011

2 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT GLOSSARY THE KENT PUBLIC SERVICE NETWORK WHAT IS THE KPSN... 3 KPSN BROADBAND PARTNERSHIPS (CLUSTERS) CLUSTER SOLUTION OUTLINE THE SOLUTION BENEFITS EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE PLANNING REQUIREMENTS MANAGEMENT FUNDING SUPPORT POWER SAFETY & SECURITY EXPLANATORY NOTES... 6 Page 2 Schools Broadband

3 1 Introduction 1.1 Purpose of Document KPSN as a service will provide high speed, high quality services to connected organisations. To widen access to these services and to minimise costs there are opportunities for organisations to share primary connections. This document explains the concept and benefits of clustering and sets out the responsibilities placed upon the host organisation (Clustered Service Host). 1.2 Glossary Primary Connection A high speed link into the KPSN backbone, in most cases a BT supplied fibre optic circuit. Cluster Two or more sites (either co-located or on separate premises) which share one KPSN primary connection. Clustered Service Host The provider of a cluster connection, the host will terminate the primary connection and all equipment necessary for hosting the connection of other sites within the cluster. Child Site The recipient (s) of a cluster connection, connected to the primary connection via wireless, copper or fibre. CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) The equipment installed at each site to provide connection to the KPSN network and demarcation from other sites networks. In the case of clustering each clustered site will have two CPE`s, the link CPE in the form of a Wireless Access Point or fibre media convertor and the KPSN CPE, a Cisco router which performs the functionality of routing between the site and KPSN. 2 The Kent Public Service Network 2.1 What is the KPSN Built on the existing schools broadband network, the KPSN is a county wide high speed fibre optic network, designed to provide public sector organisations such as schools, KCC offices, District Council offices and libraries with a safe, reliable network for collaboration and high availability access to online materials. The design of the KPSN allows for multiple organisations to use one physical network with logical separation to keep data secure. Schools already connected to the existing KCN are automatically transferred to the KPSN and make an obvious choice for Clustered Service Hosts. KPSN Broadband Partnerships (Clusters) 2.2 Cluster Solution Outline The provision of 10Mb fibre circuits to primary schools and 100Mb fibre circuits to secondary schools compared to the DCSF specified connection speeds of 2Mb and 8Mb respectively means that there is often unused bandwidth available on each connection, even taking into account the growing bandwidth requirements over time of the host school. For example, a typical primary school with a KPSN supplied 10Mb fibre, supplied with the DCFS standard 2Mb bandwidth could easily accommodate a library and a museum each with 2Mb connections with 4Mb bandwidth still available for expansion. Page 3 Schools Broadband

4 When a cluster`s required bandwidth exceeds the available connection speed, the host circuit will be upgraded at no cost to the host school. Clustered services can be deployed in a variety of situations, from same site locations; contact centres inside libraries, junior and infant schools; community safety offices in other Partner offices; secondary schools and youth clubs. Most clustered locations will be on the same site or within a few streets and will be within line of sight of each other. Some locations may use advanced non line of sight wireless technology over several kilometres. The links can use copper or fibre, or low-power point to point wireless links. Advantages: Issues: Higher bandwidth at same cost. A community solution to shared ICT challenges. More robust Internet access. The Host site needs to be aware of its responsibility to other sites in the cluster. Clustering requires good design and sound technical support. In rare cases out of term access may be required (with prior arrangement and recompense) to the host site in order to support the needs of child sites with longer opening hours, e.g. libraries. 3 The Solution 3.1 Benefits The direct benefit to a school acting as a cluster host is that increased bandwidth can be provided without the usual charge. Broadband Partnerships enable the best use of public funds across the public sector, for example schools core costs are met by Kent and Government grants, which have to cover schools in difficult locations, Child sites often benefit from a higher quality connection, for instance wireless or fibre, where otherwise a lower-cost solution might be selected. In a community, schools, libraries and museums already work together and a Broadband Partnership extends this collaboration. We hope that, over time, ICT access will become relatively uniform for pupils, including e-safety issues, wherever they require it. 3.2 Equipment Installation Each child site is connected to the host site by means of low power, point-to-point wireless links, copper UTP or local fibre (dug or aerial suspended) as deemed appropriate by the cabling subcontractors survey. There is a power requirement of 1x13amp socket per connected child site. The host site KPSN CPE is configured to separate the data of the host site and each child site so that each sites network data remains completely secure. In addition each child site is presented with their own KPSN CPE to provide security and routing to the KPSN backbone. KPSN wireless links are always installed using the de minimus principle in order to fall within the Town and Country Permitted Development Act and as such do not need planning permission. Where possible the installation is within the height of the roof line in order to remain as discrete as possible. Page 4 Schools Broadband

5 Motorola Canopy Line of Sight Width 300mm Height 500mm Depth 12mm Motorola PTP300 Non Line of Sight Width 370mm Height 370mm Depth 95mm The only device installed on the roof is the actual aerial; power and data are fed by a single Cat 5 UTP network cable. This cable connects to a power injector located in the school network cabinet. 3.3 Installation and Maintenance Installation and Maintenance of the wireless device is carried out by NCS on behalf of KPSN. The device is low maintenance and managed remotely via the network connection, in the event of equipment failure; KPSN/NCS would require site access, usually within office hours and with prior arrangement. 3.4 Planning Requirements The type of equipment used for KPSN wireless clusters falls within the specification as laid out in Part 25 of the Town & County Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 and as such does not require planning permission. If retrospective planning permission should be deemed as required, this will be undertaken by KPSN with no cost or liability to the host school. 3.5 Management Each organisation within a cluster retains individual KPSN membership and its benefits. Organisations in a cluster take on certain responsibilities. All organisations using clustered services will be a KPSN member. Note 1 Organisations using clustered services will take into consideration the requirements of other organisations when performing any action that may affect the delivery of KPSN Services. Note 2 An organisation designated as the Clustered Service Host must ensure that all other connected organisations are fully aware and have agreed to any action that the host organisation takes that will affect the delivery of KPSN Services. Note 2 Each organisation within the cluster signs the security policy and the host agrees to the responsibilities set out in the Clustered Services Host Agreement form. 3.6 Funding All project setup costs and ongoing maintenance costs are covered by the KPSN project, no costs need be incurred by the host site. In consideration for hosting the connection, the cost of Page 5 Schools Broadband

6 the EiS Schools Broadband service to the host school is reduced by 800 per annum. Additionally, if required, a larger communications cabinet and a UPS will be supplied (see below). The main fibre link will be upgraded if/when this becomes necessary. 3.7 Support With the exception of allowing pre-agreed access to KPSN/NCS engineers, the host site is not expected to provide any technical support to the child sites. Schools will continue to be supported by the schools broadband service desk at EiS ( ). 3.8 Power Where the host school mains power is subject to problems, KPSN will install a battery device known as a UPS (Un-interruptible Power Supply), this device sits in line between the power supply and network devices such as routers and senses deviations in the incoming power supply. If a spike or interruption to the power supply is sensed, the UPS takes over and powers the attached equipment from its internal battery. 3.9 Safety & Security A wireless cluster utilises low power point to point wireless links to allow two schools to share one, relatively expensive KPSN connection. The wireless links are point to point which means the signal is directed through a relatively narrow beam between the two devices. Since the devices are configured to only talk to each other and the height at which the signal is transmitted, generally at roof height, the connection is inherently secure. The host sites network does not use the wireless connection and as such there is no security risk to the host site and in any case the data is encrypted. Where, for instance, a library, school and KCC site form a broadband partnership, each has a separate VLAN to keep their traffic private. Access control lists restrict communication between VLANs and as standard this is configured to protect all sites in a cluster from one another, for instance to protect against virus and worm propagation. In addition each sites traffic is invisible from one another and hence problems at one site do not affect the other. 4 Explanatory Notes 1. In all cases users of Cluster Services will be a member of KPSN, usually via their representative organisation. For example schools are represented by the Children Families and Education Directorate at KCC. 2. The schools broadband team will help the Clustered Service Host to set up a communications process with other connected organisations. For example to notify them in advance of action that could cause disruption. These actions could be caused by planned maintenance requested by KPSN service, any electrical work within the Partner s location that could cause disruption to the KPSN Service or any similar action that may cause a loss of KPSN Service to connected Partners. Page 6 Schools Broadband