NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
Due to the envisaged increase in number of staff and student population as well as the increase in the number of satellite campuses, there is the urgent need to deploy a uniform efficient and reliable network infrastructure that would support the academic, research and administrative work of the University at all campuses.
AIMS OF THE PROJECT
» To establish interconnectivity between UHAS satellite campuses
» To centralize UHAS Network Resources
» To ensure data integrity on UHAS network
» To ensure efficient utilization of network bandwidth and to reduce packet losses on the Network.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this project is to;
» Boost productivity
» Share hardware resource
» Increase internal and external communication and thereby improve the visibility of the University to the outside world
» Reduce long term operational cost
» Centralize IT infrastructure and
» Improve data security on UHAS enterprise network.
NATURE OF THE PROJECT
The project involves the installation and configuration of sophisticated hardware devices that Support Enterprise Network implementation such as Routers, Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switches as well as telecommunication carrier network (packet switching network), the deployment of Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN’s) and documentation of the network.
IMPLEMENTATION
Due to financial constraints, the project is divided into three phases. However, all phases could be implemented simultaneously if adequate funding is obtained since the University now has the required manpower with technical abilities to do so.
PHASE 1
Phase one involves the implementation of a Wide Area Network to link the various campuses. After implementation of the first phase, remote offices will be able to have connectivity to the core network at the Main Campus for data communication. Communication between the University and other external entities would equally improve. However, the local network conditions at various campuses would remain the same with some degree of challenges.
PHASE 2
The Second Phase involves the extension of the Campus networks and to improve communication between various offices at the same campus.
PHASE 3
Implementation of the third phases of the project will eliminate broadcast Domains on Local Area Networks thereby improving bandwidth utilization and control Packet loss on the network. Staff and students will at this point begin to experience a smooth network connectivity for academic and administrative use.
The network topology and required hardware for the various phased have been provided below.
Although CISCO devices were used in developing the document, equivalent equipment from other vendors would be considered if they have the same level of performance as devices recommended.
WIRELESS DEVICE REQUIRED FOR EACH CAMPUS.
PERMANENT CAMPUS
» Twenty-three (23) Indoor 3600 wireless Access Points
» One (1) Cisco 5500 Controller AIR-CT5520-K9 Wireless Controller as shown below
TRAFALGAR CAMPUS
» Eight (8) Indoor 3600 wireless Access Points
» One (1) Outdoor 3600 wireless Access Points
DAVE CAMPUS
» Six (6) Indoor 3600 wireless Access Points
» Two (2) Outdoor 3600 wireless Access Points
E-LEARNING PLATFORM
The aim of the e-learning platform is to provide a technology driven tuition option to students and faculty of UHAS. While the aim is not to eliminate normal face-to-face contact between students and lecturers, the system is expected to supplement normal lectures by providing an avenue where students could readily access lectures at their leisure. It has been observed that for a number of reasons, students become distracted during normal lectures. Since lectures take place within specific periods, some students would have little opportunity to review what was taught if the lectures are not recorded and made available. UHAS was established with the intention of using technology to enhance teaching and learning. The use of the e-learning platform would therefore fulfil that strategic objective of the University through structured delivery of lectures, high quality video recordings of lectures, provision of adequate data storage, and deployment of a communication system that would allow both students and lecturers, irrespective of their location in the country, to have uninterrupted access to information available on the platform.
OBJECTIVES
Based on the above aim, the immediate objectives of Phase 1 of the e-learning platform are to:
1. Produce high quality video recordings of lectures, starting with First Year and Physician Assistant courses designed with the assistance of Universities outside the country.
2. Provide a platform where:
- Instruction materials such as notes and videos will be made available to students electronically
- Students and lecturers can collaborate and have meaningful discussions online
- Lecturers will be able to assess students electronically
3. Make the system accessible to lecturers and students located at the University's campuses initially but upon successful testing of the system, extend access to the whole nation and then onto the Internet.
4. Provide video conferencing facilities that will allow interactive delivery of lectures from one campus to another, and from other parts of the country and outside the country to UHAS
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
The MOODLE e-learning software, an Open source product has been installed and configured for this purpose.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
- VPN and APN HIGH-CAPACITY SERVERS that can be configured to enable full-scale deployment of the e-Learning platform
- LAPTOPS, TABLETS, ETC. using links to facilitate communication between the e-learning server and client devices