Extreme Networks Case Study: University of Brighton

Extreme Networks Delivers Virtual Learning Environment for University of Brighton

Leading UK University Turns to Extreme Networks for Reliability, Manageability and Flexibility
With five UK campuses (in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings) spanning 60 buildings and serving a community of over 21,000 students and 2,600 staff members, the University of Brighton is recognised as a leading institution of higher education. With over 500 courses to choose from, the University of Brighton is a modern, innovative institution on one of the liveliest sections of the UK coast. Since university designation in 1992, the University has grown steadily and students graduate in a range of subjects as diverse as automotive engine design, law with accountancy, midwifery, three-dimensional design, architecture and pharmacy.

Challenge
The University of Brighton needed a network that would support the delivery of lecturers notes and lessons through real-time video applications. Its original network was built on a hodgepodge of products that was unmanageable.

Solution

Extreme Networks provided a comprehensive solution from core to edge based on BlackDiamond and Summit switches.

Benefits
The network supports all of the applications the University requires to provide students with a more flexible approach to studying. Extreme Networks provides 24/7 availability. The solution is easy to manage with ExtremeXOS, a consistent architecture across all products.

Growing Network Needs

The Universitys network plays an integral role and is business critical for staff, lecturers and students, providing 24/7 access to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and business applications. The original infrastructure was hybrid, home grown system, installed and maintained by the IT department. The core network and applications included a number of different vendors products, and no common management platform. Although this was suitable at the time, the growing number of students, and consequently the growing pressure on the network and IT staff, meant a more resilient, reliable and cost efficient system was required. The University eventually chose Extreme Networks to deliver a more robust and secure network, with Extreme Networks BlackDiamond 8800 switches in the core and two new data centres based on the Summit X650 and X460 switches. The resulting infrastructure supports the delivery of lecturers notes and lessons through real-time video applications, which provides students with a more flexible approach to studying. As a university our main priority is providing the best education possible to our students, said David Rickhard, Network Services Manager at the University of Brighton. This relies heavily on the ICT infrastructure being able to deliver a high-performance service, as well as a resilient and reliable learning environment. We have worked with Extreme Networks for over a decade and the decision to continue working with them was an easy one to make. Not only did they have proven experience in the education sector and within the University itself, but their proposals enabled us to meet all our business objectives within a strict, designated budget.

Make Your Network Mobile

Extreme Networks Case Study: University of Brighton

High Availability and Performance for Virtual Learning

The University of Brighton prides itself on keeping current with developments in education technology and lecturers rely heavily on the network to deliver lessons and distribute notes and grades via the VLE. Lecturers regularly film lectures, which can be stored on the network and later streamed or downloaded by students, so it is vital that network downtime is avoided. Our ICT infrastructure is the backbone of the University and has become an integral part of every students day-to-day life, said Rickhard. Extreme Networks cost-effective and versatile network has enabled us to deliver a state-of-the-art virtual learning environment which provides a space where teachers can deliver lectures in real-time or as videos for streaming and download. Thanks to the robust and secure solution provided by Extreme Networks, we are able to continue to meet the highest standards of education at our award winning facilities and meet student demand for increased flexibility. Extreme Networks BlackDiamond 8800 switch provides the University with a specialised network solution that delivers high density Power over Ethernet (PoE), 10 Gigabit Ethernet wherever its needed, and a high performance enterprise core, which eliminates bottlenecks between edge and core and reduces data traffic. The BlackDiamond 8800 switch has been complemented with the ExtremeXOS modular operating system, common across all Extreme Networks switches. The Extreme Networks solution has enabled the University to simplify network operations, despite the increased number of users and pressure on the system. The ExtremeXOS modular operating system and Summit switches have been invaluable to us, said Rickhard. Managing a network of this size requires a large amount of manpower and can take up a huge amount of time, but the central management system and automatic failover mechanism offered by the BlackDiamond 8800 means that if one switch fails the second automatically takes over. As a result, the staff and students that rely on the network dont suffer if problems do arise. Extreme Networks provides high availability and simplicity and delivers a consistent and hardened network infrastructure that reduces management overhead, operational complexity and capital expenditures for the University. It also delivers flawless operations, as well as a secure and robust learning environment for the distribution of voice, video and data to a highly mobile user community through a proliferation of network enabled devices.

The customer support has been impeccable, not only in terms of continued support offered by the technical staff, who are an asset to the company, but also in terms of training and seminars to bring staff up-to-date with the system and technology, said Rickhard. This is something weve noticed to be unique to Extreme Networks. Youre not just an account number, youre a customer, and even those at high levels within the organisation are approachable and know you by name.

Excellent Return on Investment and Value for Money

Virtually every educational institution is subject to strict budgetary constraints, and must find the absolute best value for money and ROI available. These factors usually make or break a deal. One of the deciding factors in staying with Extreme Networks during the system upgrade was the return on investment we have seen over the years weve been working with them. The network has worked seamlessly for over 11 years with minimal disruption. If the requirements of the network had not changed it would still be sufficient. When working within the tight budgets seen in the education sector, this is a huge deciding factor, said Rickhard. The bottom line is that the University sees no other network partner in its future. Since we started working with Extreme Networks, theyve been quick to understand our requirements and implement solutions that not only support out needs now but also our plans for the future, explained Rickhard. The flexibility offered by Extreme Networks solutions is vital in a dynamic and continually changing environment like the education sector. The account management team keeps us up-to-date with new applications and ways to improve the learning environment. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Extreme Networks and would recommend the company to anyone looking to upgrade their ICT infrastructure.

Thanks to the robust and secure solution provided by Extreme Networks we are able to continue to meet the highest standards of education at our award winning facilities and meet student demand for increased flexibility. - David Rickhard, Network Services Manager at the University of Brighton Since we started working with Extreme Networks, theyve been quick to understand our requirements and implement solutions that not only support out needs now but also our plans for the future. - David Rickhard, Network Services Manager at the University of Brighton

Customer service
The University appreciates the pride Extreme Networks takes in its customer service and support. Prior to installation, the Universitys ICT infrastructure team was given full access to the demonstration centre at the UK headquarters, enabling them to see first-hand the capabilities and benefits offered by Extreme Networks products.

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