New network to provide backbone for integrated voice, video and data applications
CANBERRA, Australia - June 6, 2002 - Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, has been selected as the technology source by the Australian National University to upgrade its Integrated Communications Network (ICN) with Gigabit Ethernet technology, providing infrastructure to support unprecedented data, voice and video services over Internet Protocol (IP).
The upgrade from Cisco and leading systems integrator, Hewlett-Packard Services, will allow the University to provide information services and support to a large number of autonomous research schools, centres and faculties which require high bandwidth information interchange and networked computing services.
The ICN will also allow the University to support its network of 10,000 phone ports and almost 9,000 desktops and will provide the capacity to grow the network to support more than 25,000 users by 2007.
Mr John McGee, Communications Manager, Division of Information at the ANU, said the University's existing data network had reached the limit of its capacity and the voice infrastructure had come to the end of its life cycle.
"To future proof our network, the University decided on a converged solution and moved to a Gigabit Ethernet backbone capability with an IP-based infrastructure for voice and data services," Mr McGee said.
"The ICN will allow the University to provide a broadband service for national and international access to research and educational facilities through gigabit (1 billion bits per second) connectivity to the Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet)," Mr McGee said.
The network is also designed to interface with the GrangeNet (GRid and Next GEneration Network) project, a $14 million initiative by the Federal Government to develop and operate a very high-speed backbone network linking universities and other public and private research facilities in Australia and overseas.
The network upgrade is based on Cisco AVVID (Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data) and is supported by seven Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series switches, (the 6509 and the 6513), located at the main campus in Canberra as well as a research centre at Mount Stromlo, in the Australian Capital Territory.
The Catalyst 6500 Series Switches will address the University's increased requirements for gigabit scalability, high-availability, rich services, and multilayer switching.
Cisco's established presence in Canberra also provides the University with access to a local support network.
"The ANU has the flexibility to incorporate other services at a future date without having to put in another appliance. The University clearly understands the value of high speed networks and the value they create," said Mr Terry Walsh, Managing Director, Cisco Australia & New Zealand.
Cisco's Gold Reseller on the project Compaq, now part of the new Hewlett-Packard, is responsible for project management, integration services, and acceptance testing and training.
"Through our industry leading alliances with companies like Cisco, HP is able to tap into the industry's widest range of technology and business leaders, to enhance customer solutions and deliver on the business promise," said Jan Rosi, manager ACT, HP Australia.
About the Australian National University
As the specially chartered national university, the ANU undertakes research at the highest levels of international ranking in all its Research Schools, Faculties and Centres and offers a unique research-led education to undergraduate and postgraduate students. See www.anu.edu.au.About Hewlett-Packard
HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. HP merged with Compaq Computer Corp. on May 3, 2002. The merged company had combined revenue of approximately $81.7 billion in fiscal 2001 and operations in more than 160 countries. More information about HP is available at www.hp.com.About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at www.cisco.com.
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