Excluding end-user computers, video monitors and telephone hardware
but INCLUDING computer network adapter cards, workgroup and HUB switches,
and associated switch fabric management hardware and software, WAN single-mode
fiber cabling and LAN multi-mode fiber and CAT-5 cabling, application file
servers (4) and video servers (1), video compression and teleconferencing
hardware, Internet gateway firewall, WEB, mail, news servers and dial-up
terminal servers, this high bandwidth information infrastructure was deployed
at a cost of less than $1,000 per drop (2,000) location (1996 costs) with
additional drops costing less than $500 per location (1996 costs).
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) allows for the high speed cell switching which enables scaleable speeds, reservation and management of bandwidth necessary to integrate high bandwidth applications including voice, video and data along a single network. Thus is eliminated the duplicative cost of parallel networks heretofore used for voice, video and data distribution and provides for the cost-effective implementation to the classroom of centralized file server applications, digital video and telephone access. Scalability is achieved with the wave division multiplexing of the fiber in addition to the transmission at both specified wave lengths. Combined, low-cost growth potential is achieved for ever increasing bandwidth applications without having to compromise existing infrastructure investments.
| Category | Pros | Cons |
| Cost | used as an integrated network: fixed line and intra-district calling service charges can be cut in half while permitting the addition of full-service options and the extension of service to all staff; video distribution can be achieved at 1/6th the cost of a parallel analog network; and, all the above can be achieved while permitting superior data transmission speeds. | it is not cost-justifiable as a data-only network medium |
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category-5 UTP copper cabling combined with ATM will permit the segregation
of an existing drop into multiple separate drops reducing the likelihood
of having to pull additional cabling unlike ethernet and token-ring, ATM bandwidth is not degraded with the addition of users or higher bandwidth applications as it is fully switched |
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scaleability of the fiber network through wave division multiplexing
provides, relatively speaking, unlimited bandwidth growth to support ever
increasing numbers of users and higher bandwidth applications providing
both growth capability and investment protection ATM provides a current migration path of from 25Mbs to 155 Mbs adapter cards. 622 Mbs will be available in the near future. |
Costs are a function of the demand for higher bandwidths and the need to supply for the same |
| Security | In contrast to ethernet, each workstation has a virtual connection
to the destination and all traffic flows on that point-to-point connection
and as a result no other stations can see that traffic
Encruption, while not necessary, is an available option |
Costs are a function of the demand to utilize a single network for both secure instructional and administative data; district and community usage |
| Other | Centralization of resources--both human and capital--thus providing
for their optimal use
Inherent superiority of ATM for robust multi-media support and switched networks for error detection, correction and recovery |
it requires strong leadership to envision tomorrow's applications and invest accordingly when the lure of quick fix, inexpensive technology is so prevalent |