In our last blog, we explored how the hospitality industry is undergoing a technological transformation, with both guests and staff requiring more networking infrastructure than ever before; needing to support everything from guest devices to the check-in desk, a reliable, secure and high-speed network is no longer optional for businesses keeping up with the demands of the modern world.
These days, however, the education sector faces many of the same challenges. A classroom is rarely without an array of bandwidth-hungry devices offering enhanced, interactive learning, such as smart-touch whiteboards, interactive tablets, and even laptops issued to both the students and the staff. An education network needs to offer complete WiFi coverage throughout the entire school, high bandwidth for HD streaming and virtual meetings or classrooms, bullet-proof security for external bad actors, support for IoT devices, and sophisticated content censoring for students on the network. And that’s without factoring in the vast array of security devices required for a school like security cameras, IP phones, intercoms and access control systems; all these devices need dependable power delivery and robust, high-speed network connectivity, with minimal maintenance and zero downtime.
HPE Networking Instant On can offer a solution, however; with a huge range of networking devices from high-bandwidth access points with full Smart-Mesh capabilities to eradicate any WiFi dead zones, to powerful network switches with generous PoE budgets and non-blocking switching architecture, an Instant On installation can simplify learning, support interactive devices, and keep the premises and network safe.
Enhancing Interactive Learning
The way that students learn is changing. Now more than ever, schools are offering a rich and varied environment, with teachers creating dynamic and personalised learning experiences; online platforms and educational apps provide a gateway to a huge wealth of resources, from virtual labs, to interactive textbooks, to educational games, and this information can be presented in a creative and interactive way through the use of smart whiteboards or projectors.
While this is great news all-round for pupils and staff, it also inevitably leads to a greater reliance on a reliable, structurally-sound network, and relying more on the network brings two main challenges: schools need to make sure they have enough bandwidth for all devices to connect smoothly, while also keeping the system robust enough to avoid downtime as much as possible.
HPE Networking Instant On’s access points prioritise providing high network throughput across multiple WiFi bands to wirelessly connected devices, while at the same time maximising the number of clients connected; access points such as the AP25 can handle over one hundred connections simultaneously with a 4x4 MIMO antenna setup, pushing dual-band high-speed WiFi 6 connectivity with aggregate throughputs of over 5Gbps. For outdoor learning, an outdoor access point such as the AP27 is robust enough to be installed outside, with an IP67 rating to protect against any weather conditions and providing WiFi 6 for up to 75 connected devices. Best of all, these access points are all Smart-Mesh compatible, meaning they can tesselate their signal areas to eradicate any WiFi dead zones and provide uninterrupted WiFi throughout any size of space. Say goodbye to awkward signal black-spots, and hello to seamless connectivity!
 |
 |
| AP25 | AP27 |
|
|
Instant On access points can be underpinned by HPE’s powerful range of network switches, spanning the portfolio from simple unmanaged network switches like the 1430 range to the high-spec, stackable 1960 range. With options for both PoE and non-PoE, these switches can supply dependable network connectivity and power delivery to any connected devices; while they’re perfect for maintaining a robust network of access points, they’re also great for powering third-party devices like cameras, access control systems for classrooms, and even smart whiteboards.
However, there’s another important function to which both access points and network switches contribute heavily; network security.
Safeguarding your school's digital environment
Keeping a network secure, especially when it’s a network for an educational environment, can pose a real challenge; many schools lack the budget for a dedicated IT team, which means that it can be tricky to keep a network safe - both from external bad actors looking to breach the network’s security, and from tech-savvy students. It’s also crucial to keep staff and student networks separate, with clear visibility over both branches of the network.
HPE’s educational solutions address these challenges comprehensively and safely, with an intuitive single-pane-of-glass interface through which the entire network can be provisioned, monitored and managed. The Instant On portfolio of secure gateways, switches and access points come equipped with built-in firewalls and WPA2/WPA3/OWE authentication, incorporating a strong bulwark against external hackers and threats into your network without you having to lift a finger.
Instant On’s networking equipment also features a full suite of content filtering tools, allowing DNS routing and creating specific content filtering policies. Blocking certain categories of websites, preventing known malware hosts from entering the network, and reducing bandwidth consumption is both efficient and straightforward, helping to keep your school’s network safe and running smoothly.
HPE Networking Instant On has always placed a strong emphasis on usability, even to non-IT professionals; it’s never been easier to enhance a network with professional-grade security measures with the easy-to-use Instant On app, providing detailed oversight across the entire deployment without sacrificing either speed or efficiency. With Instant On, not only can your network supply optimal performance to connected devices, but can also integrate the level of security that previously would have required a dedicated IT team.
Supporting Hybrid Learning
Post-lockdown, there’s a greater emphasis than ever before on making remote learning as fluid as possible; students can need to study from home for all kinds of reasons, and while of course it’s not possible to issue every student an enterprise-grade WiFi 6 access point, Instant On’s networking devices provide all sorts of ways to ease the traffic and keep connectivity flowing smoothly.
The Instant On app’s content filtering, for example, isn’t just good for restricting access to prohibited content; it can also identify and restrict bandwidth-hogging applications, smoothing out network traffic for everyone connected; alternatively, HPE offer possibilities for SD-WAN (Software Defined WAN) solutions, helping to securely connect remote campuses or students learning from home.
HPE’s smart switches can also supply up to 176 Gbps switching capacity to connected devices, meaning that multiple HD video streams can be run simultaneously; perfect for video conferencing with remote learners, or streaming educational content.
Conclusion
HPE Networking Instant On is dedicated to delivering exceptional solutions tailored for educational environments, ensuring that meaningful connections between educators and students are maintained, regardless of where these interactions occur. In today’s educational landscape, seamless connectivity is crucial, whether it’s within the classroom, in remote learning setups, or a combination of both.
Instant On stands out by offering powerful, intuitive, and adaptable networking solutions that do not require IT experts for setup and management. With user-friendly interfaces and comprehensive support, deploying and maintaining an educational network is as straightforward as possible. HPE’s solutions are designed to evolve with the changing needs of interactive learning, combining robust security with high-speed data and a simple setup process to ensure continuous support for both students and staff.
