California School District Bolsters Security and Learning Using Converged 3Com Network.Business/Technology Editors SANTA CLARA Santa Clara, city, Cuba Santa Clara (sän`tä klä`rä), city (1994 est. pop. 217,000), capital of Villa Clara prov., central Cuba. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2002 Cupertino Union School District Deploys 840 Classroom Phones and Gives Students Faster Network Access At Significant Savings Communicating an emergency to or from a classroom is a serious matter at Cupertino Union School District in Silicon Valley, Calif. So when the district realized it could better protect its 15,600 K-8 students by deploying a phone in every classroom, accelerate its academic applications, improve communications between schools and homes, and save substantially over other solutions by using a converged network The integration of the telephone system with IP-based data networks. See softswitch. (networking) converged network - A single network that can carry voice, video and data. from 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS COMS 3Com Corporation (stock symbol) COMS Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist COMS Continuous Opacity Monitoring Systems COMS City of Manchester Stadium (UK) ), its decision was elementary. By implementing a voice and data solution based on the 3Com(R) SuperStack(R) 3 NBX (Network Branch EXchange) A family of IP-based telephony systems from 3Com. The name was derived from "PBX," the traditional name for an enterprise telephone switch. (R) Networked Telephony Solution and Switch 4005 Gigabit Ethernet An Ethernet standard that transmits at 1 Gbps. Used mostly to connect high-end workstations and servers as well as for network backbones, Gigabit Ethernet transmits full duplex from point to point using switches and half duplex in a shared environment (CSMA/CD) using a hub. switch, Cupertino is poised to cope with any crisis while greatly improving its computer-based learning. "With 3Com's solution we can provide students and faculty with the security they deserve," said Bill Bragg, Cupertino's superintendent of schools. "Thanks to our high-speed network, we'll give students unimpeded unimpeded Adjective not stopped or disrupted by anything Adj. 1. unimpeded - not slowed or prevented; "a time of unimpeded growth"; "an unimpeded sweep of meadows and hills afforded a peaceful setting" access to cutting-edge academic applications, better preparing them to succeed in higher education higher education Study beyond the level of secondary education. Institutions of higher education include not only colleges and universities but also professional schools in such fields as law, theology, medicine, business, music, and art. ." Previously, Cupertino used expensive Nortel PBX (Private Branch eXchange) An inhouse telephone switching system that interconnects telephone extensions to each other as well as to the outside telephone network (PSTN). systems that lacked advanced features, slowed communications and kept the district from being able to install phones in every classroom. Instead, teachers relied on intercoms in the event of an emergency. Expanding from 24 to 25 elementary and middle schools, the district sought a scalable voice solution that would integrate with its data network for the easy deployment of phones. In addition, Cupertino wanted to replace its legacy 3Com Fast Ethernet An earlier name for 100Mbps Ethernet. See 100Base-T. (networking) Fast Ethernet - A version of Ethernet developed in the 1990s(?) which can carry 100 Mbps compared with standard Ethernet's 10 Mbps. It requires upgraded network cards and hubs. network with a higher-speed LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. to drive its technology-based education programs. Using the 3Com system, Cupertino is bolstering classroom safety while expediting district-wide communications. For example, the NBX platform's e911 feature, which enables the identification of the precise origin of an emergency call, ensures Cupertino of swift responses from authorities. The NBX system's voice mail captures critical calls, and its built-in unified messaging Having access to e-mail, voice mail and faxes via a common computer application or by telephone. For example, unified messaging may send faxes and digitized voice mail to a mail server that turns them into e-mail attachments. enables staff to quickly retrieve voice messages and emails from Microsoft Outlook Express. In addition, staff use the system's phone conferencing to consult with each other and the caller ID support feature to prioritize the handling of phone calls. The NBX platform's call hunt groups connect parents to appropriate staff as quickly as possible. The system's dial plans also enable convenient five-digit dialing and call transfer between schools, as well as three-digit dialing internally. The call detail reporting (CDR (1) See CD-R and extension. (2) (Call Detail Reporting) See call accounting. (3) (Common Data Rate) A standard sampling rate for digital video for 480i and 576i systems. The rate is 13.5 MHz. See ITU-R BT. ) feature lets staff easily manage phone usage, saving the district money with easy-to-use monitoring of phone activity. Psychologists and nurses traveling between schools can leverage the platform's pcXset softphone feature and operate a "virtual phone" right from their laptops so their phone travels with them. Moreover, rather than hiring a new phone technician for $65,000 a year, Cupertino's existing IT staff members use the Web-based NBX NetSet(TM) administration tool to manage adds, moves and changes. The 3Com data network provides fast access to a myriad of PC and Web-based educational programs that sharpen students' analytical skills. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade develop research skills using online encyclopedic en·cy·clo·pe·dic adj. 1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of an encyclopedia. 2. Embracing many subjects; comprehensive: "an ignorance almost as encyclopedic as his erudition" software and creatively solve problems via Inspiration's interactive mind-mapping software. Second through eighth grade students use multimedia applications to create graphical, video and Web-based components to enhance research projects. Powerful, Converged Communications Installed over the same wire infrastructure by value-added reseller Monterey Information Technologies, the district office hosts both a SuperStack 3 NBX and NBX 100 chassis, one Switch 4005 and 20 SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 switches that prioritize voice over data traffic. The network is distributed to 24 schools via T1 links. Soon, each school will have an NBX 100 chassis, Switch 4005 and several SuperStack 3 Switch 4400 switches. Cupertino is also installing 400 10/100 and 800 Ethernet NBX business telephones. A similar network will be deployed at the district's new school. "3Com's service team was an extremely supportive partner in assuring that our aggressive timeline was met and that the process was an enjoyable and positive experience," said Bragg. "And above all, we're now able to protect our students and give them the best academic edge possible." About 3Com 3Com is a tier-one provider of innovative, practical and high-value networking products for enterprise customers. 3Com is also a leader in Internet protocol (IP) service platforms and access infrastructure for the network service provider market. For further information, please visit www.3com.com, or the press site www.3com.com/pressbox. 3Com, the 3Com logo, SuperStack and NBX are registered trademarks and NBX NetSet is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. |
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