Bushey Hall School has been a customer of Lynx Networks since 1993. The network has grown to over 350 users and over the past two years Lynx Networks has been upgrading the network infrastructure to maximise speed and reliability within the confines of a tight school budget.

The core of the network was replaced with a modular HP ProCurve switch with gigabit capable devices connected back to this core from other buildings and locations on the site. Four main blocks were linked back using fibre gigabit connections, with other locations connected using copper gigabit links. The speed performance gave the servers plenty of bandwidth when students all log on at the same time. Managed HP ProCurve switches were installed at within the main blocks ready for a VLAN implementation at a later stage.

Cisco wireless access points have also been deployed to maximise signal strength and security. Our wireless team fully surveyed the site before recommending a solution. Once the survey had been completed, we were able to highlight the best locations for each wireless access point to maximise coverage. Using a specialised external antenna, we have even been able to extend network coverage to allow pupil registration on the playing field. Being a school, security is obviously an issue; the Cisco solution has a strong security protocol to protect data.

Currently Bushey Hall School are looking to complete the network upgrade by replacing all unmanaged switches with managed devices. This will allow Lynx Networks engineers to implement a VLAN structure that will help further with security and speed. Lynx Networks also continue to provide network support via our Helpdesk.

Before the upgrade, the school library database would take around a minute to load. A simple change to the network design and upgrading one link to gigabit Ethernet reduced this time to three seconds!