Allot and Southwest Telecommunications Cooperative Support Distance Learning with High Quality Broadband Network Services.

Allot NetEnforcer AC-402 broadband management device helps school districts evaluate network usage and spending

MINNEAPOLIS -- Allot Communications, a leader in IP service optimization solutions based on deep packet inspection (DPI), today announced that Southwest Telecommunications Cooperative (SWTC) is using the NetEnforcer AC-402 to monitor and manage network traffic for 36 school districts across southwestern Minnesota.

As a collaborative organization, SWTC provides Internet access, wide area networking (WAN) and distance learning classes through interactive television to more than 18,000 students. Each member school district is connected to the WAN which provides access to inter-district records, regional records, finance, payroll and Internet.

The SWTC decided to implement a broadband management device to ensure that all districts and students had high quality broadband network services, without requiring the purchase of more bandwidth.

"With so many districts and students, it was critical for us to be able to view the traffic on the network and manage it to ensure quality broadband services for everyone," said Forrest Fosheim, network coordinator, SWTC. "With Allot, we can allocate bandwidth based on usage at individual districts or locations."

The NetEnforcer AC-402 gives SWTC visibility into its network to determine usage levels and speed. The DPI capability of the AC-402 device inspects, identifies and analyzes hundreds of applications and protocols to determine what type of traffic is traveling across the network. Based on traffic types, SWTC can allocate more or less bandwidth to specific applications or groups. It also provides control of high bandwidth applications, such as streaming video, monitors for unwanted traffic and filters content not appropriate for the network.

With 10,000 square miles of networks to manage, operational costs are always a concern. But, Fosheim saved money by not having to purchase additional bandwidth.

"Managing the network appropriately is a huge cost-savings. We no longer have to buy additional bandwidth - we are able to re-allocate the bandwidth we already have to the places it's needed, and we can re-allocate in real-time so productivity stays high."

"SWTC needed a system that could manage network traffic on a comprehensive level, but also provide reporting to multiple districts and schools on a very granular level," said Rami Hadar, president and CEO, Allot Communications. "By understanding their individual usage levels, districts can modify network management practices and usage policies so they don't overspend or over promise on their broadband services. This all contributes to delivering a superior customer service experience."

About Allot Communications

Allot Communications (www.allot.com) is a leading provider of intelligent IP service optimization solutions. Designed for carriers, service providers and enterprises, Allot solutions apply deep packet inspection (DPI) technology to transform broadband pipes into smart networks. This creates the visibility and control vital to manage applications and services, guarantee quality of service (QoS), contain operating costs and maximize revenue. Allot believes in listening to customers and provides them access to its visionaries, innovators and support engineers.