SYDNEY, Australia - July 27, 2005 - The Catholic Education Office, Parramatta, is deploying a high-speed wireless network from Cisco Systems® to its 75 schools in the western Sydney region to help improve work flexibility for teachers and reduce operating expenses. The 42,000 students and 3,500 staff will benefit from wireless access to Internet and intranet resources, with industry-leading network security.
One of the primary benefits of the wireless network is improved flexibility and mobility generated by a highly secure technological infrastructure for the schools. For instance, network features such as security parameters can be managed centrally so any changes to network configurations are automatically populated to all remote points throughout the network.
By using the Cisco Wireless local area networking (LAN) Solutions Engine (WLSE) and Structured Wireless Aware Network (SWAN), the Catholic Education Office will be able to manage access points centrally and remotely, generating operational cost savings and higher productivity.
Dr Anne Benjamin, executive director of Schools in the Parramatta Diocese, said; "With this wireless solution, we will be able to provide greater student and teacher access to information and resources, and enhance ways of teaching and learning while maximising the use of resources across our school network."
The network is based on the deployment of more than 80 Cisco® Aironet® 1200 Series access points and other Cisco hardware and software. The Aironet Family of wireless devices is designed to be fully compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g standards for wireless networking.
Andrew Cooper, head of the Learning and Information Technology Division, Catholic Education Office, Parramatta, said the Diocese selected Cisco wireless technology because it allowed the Diocese to build a centrally managed network-centric information technology (IT) infrastructure and to deploy a common wireless platform to all of its schools.
"This has allowed us to establish appropriate management and security of the wireless network at the outset and extend that network with confidence. Our schools really appreciate that they have the benefit of state-of-the-art technology without acquiring local management overhead. Schools are able to extend their wireless access immediately, depending on their individual priorities and requirements," Mr Cooper said.
The wireless network, deployed by Cisco reseller Efficient Data Communications, extends the existing wired network that reaches into every learning space in the Diocese. Cisco networking technology already deployed across the network includes Cisco switches, routers and software.
Ross Fowler, managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Cisco Systems, said; "The Catholic Education Office has always had an innovative approach to how technology can enhance the experience of students and staff and the administration of their schools. The deployment of a Cisco wireless network will further extend the benefits of networked connectivity."
About Catholic Education Office
The Catholic Education Office operates and provides administrative and professional support to its 75 Catholic schools (54 primary and 21 secondary) in the Parramatta Diocese.
The Parramatta Diocese is located in one of the fastest-growing areas of New South Wales. West of Sydney, the diocese reaches from Dundas Valley, west to Katoomba, south to Luddenham, and north to Richmond.
