University of Warwick case study: IT networks

The University had decided that a Cisco-based infrastructure should be deployed and that it should offer both fixed and secure wireless access for students, staff and visitors.

The network needed to be resilient and future-proofed to meet the increasing needs of users. It also needed to support the growth of video, predicted to comprise 90% of student-driven internet traffic in 5 years.

A procurement project was initiated to identify and select potential suppliers and provide ongoing strategic input. BT was able to demonstrate a proven track record of similar successful network deployments as well as being the preferred UK partner of Cisco.

BT‘s skill set most closely matched the University’s demanding requirements, including its ability to work in partnership with the Cisco Advanced Services team.

The Cisco-based network provided by BT features the latest “high-end” Cisco Nexus switches at the core. It extends to 35,000 access points and includes Wireless access to students, staff and visitors.

The solution was implemented over 14 weeks in the summer – an exceptionally swift deployment for a public sector organisation. It provides a high capacity, highly available and resilient network pre-enabled with an array of advanced applications and Unified Communications such as Video Conferencing, Surveillance, Smart Places and Cisco TelePresence.

The new network from BT will save Warwick an estimated £15 million over 11 years due to its future proofed capability.

Mike explains: “This project is viewed as a tremendous success. In addition to a very impressive implementation and an improvement in core network performance, we are now beginning to see benefits from advanced applications.

Video and large data set capabilities have improved significantly and network performance speeds are now 8 times faster. We are also seeing non-technical benefits through our evolving strategic relationships with BT and Cisco.”

Access points are located in all student campus accommodations, throughout the University in lecture theatres, reading areas and touchdown study points. The WLAN provides secure authenticated access for staff, students and visitors with a VPN capability enabling remote off-site access to the network.

The new network is now ready for the stringent demands of postgraduate research students. University staff can hold global video conferences with overseas students and potential employees, aiding online induction programmes and recruitment. They’ve also been able to increase the online courses and associated content they offer.

The solution deployed wouldn’t be out of place in a Blue Chip organisation, and the network will support the University’s objective to build partnerships with Industry - there’s already a Cisco TelePresence solution that’s been developed with Birmingham Science Park, which has forged relationships extending to Silicon Valley.