RGO College in Middelharnis, located on the Goeree-Overflakkee island, has implemented a robust Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise network infrastructure to enhance connectivity for its students and staff.
This comprehensive secondary education institution, catering to around 1,000 students, offers various educational levels, including gymnasium, atheneum, HAVO, and MAVO1.
The college is committed to delivering a modern and future-focused learning environment that emphasizes inspiring education and personal development, aiming to prepare students thoroughly for higher education.
Addressing Connectivity Challenges
The decision to upgrade the network infrastructure was prompted by connectivity issues resulting from outdated LAN/WLAN systems, affecting both educators and students. RGO College selected the Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch® 6360 switches and over 100 Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess® Stellar AP1321 and AP1351 Access Points (APs) for deployment.
This enhancement is managed through cloud-based Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista® Cirrus network management, incorporating Network Access Control (NAC) for an additional security layer.
Network Access Control (NAC) Implementation
NAC implementation segments devices, students, and staff, assigning roles, profiles, and permissions to eachAligned with the Dutch IBP (Information Security & Privacy) standards framework, the network configuration ensures comprehensive security. The implementation of Network Access Control (NAC) allows the network to segment devices, students, and staff, assigning specific roles, profiles, and permissions to each.
Additionally, digital whiteboards in classrooms are securely connected via Private Pre-Shared Keys (PPSK), further fortifying the network's privacy and security.
Expert Insights
Demi Jansen, RGO College's System Administrator, remarked, "We don’t have to do any more network maintenance because we haven’t encountered any problems since the network was upgraded. That saves us a lot of time."
Esli Coenraad, a Data Presales Engineer at Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, highlighted the successful collaboration with RGO College and partners, reflecting on the importance of adhering to IBP Standards Framework: "This is of great importance within the Dutch education sector, as it ensures digital security for both staff and students, and we are incredibly proud of that."
Future-Ready Network Infrastructure
With the implementation of a secure, stable, cloud-managed network, RGO College has achieved reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and minimal maintenance requirements.
This positions the college to effectively provide a high-quality educational experience, aligning with the expectations of a forward-thinking educational institution.
