[Note: This is a reply to Mr. G.'s thread in USEP-IC forum - Assignment 6: If you were hired by the university president as an IT consultant, what would you suggest (technology, infrastructure, innovations, steps, processes, etc) in order for the internet connectivity be improved?]
Well, well, well… Here we go again. As much as I want take this easy and straight, I have to make this long enough (just enough to satisfy the needed number of words) and so I guess, I’m sorry to say this but I must streeeetch this quite loooong… hahaha.
Consider this question for our topic now – if you were hired by the university president as an IT consultant (wow, big deal!), what would you suggest (technology, infrastructure, innovations, steps, processes, etc) in order for the internet connectivity be improved?? Uh-huh… So this is quite a serious matter to talk about. Being hired as a consultant is really a bit serious but there is more for the institution that I belong to. So let me first talk about some things which are essential for this issue.
Internet and technology – what are they and what can they do?
Briefly, let us take some backward steps to some definitions of the terminologies. Internet, as what most computer savvy people would say, is a global network of networks. With its universal technology platform, any computer can communicate with any other computer. And through its World Wide Web applications and websites, the internet has gained popularity over millions of thousands people from all parts of the globe. As they say, “Internet is where you can find anything under the sun!”
Communication nowadays has been transformed into another form and ways – I have noticed it. And I suppose all grounds were broken from one foundation – the discovery of the chip that developed into the age of computers and eventually into applications of the technology that we are using today including the Internet connectivity.
So much about that I guess I am blabbing all my way out here about how the world transformed from the history when technology is in its lower level. Hahaha. Actually I was just imagining the time of my life when I was first introduced to the Internet. I did not know the ability of Internet connectivity at that time. But truly, I just can simply recall how technology is changing the way we acquire and share information in the present. In the past, we make great efforts to find every book in the library we could just to find a single topic. Now, we just face the computer, have a few clicks, and get connected to the online resource provider where we could get any information anytime, anywhere.
What can you do on the internet? One can communicate and collaborate through online connection to people and other areas – locally and across seas and mountains. I could still remember my professor who once told us about Thomas Freedman’s statement that “the world is flat.” By just moving a computer’s mouse and a few clicks, one can travel the globe in an hour! Internet lets us access information even from another computer miles away by networking. We can participate in discussions here and there through connecting to conferences and forums and blogs and still more groups online. Moreover, one can find entertainment brought by gaming, chatting, surfing, social networking and the like; exchange business transactions and moving through electronic commerce by enabling the digital market. File-sharing, downloading, instant messaging, and electronic mailing (e-mail) are also done through internet. That is the power brought by the technology we have in the world today.
Internet access in a computer is provided by what we call Internet Service Providers or ISP. ISPs offer internet access to customers usually on a monthly fee. The customers uses the ISP’s network to access the Internet. Actually, there are several kinds of internet connection depending on the type of access. The three (3) broad categories described by MS Encarta are: dedicated, dial-up, and wireless. With dedicated access, a subscriber’s computer remains directly connected to the Internet at all times through a permanent, physical connection. Most large businesses have high-capacity dedicated connections; small businesses or individuals that desire dedicated access choose technologies such as digital subscriber line (DSL) or cable modems, which both use existing wiring to lower cost. A DSL sends data across the same wires that telephone service uses, and cable modems use the same wiring that cable television uses. In each case, the electronic devices that are used to send data over the wires employ separate frequencies or channels that do not interfere with other signals on the wires. Thus, a DSL Internet connection can send data over a pair of wires at the same time the wires are being used for a telephone call, and cable modems can send data over a cable at the same time the cable is being used to receive television signals.
Another, less-popular option is satellite Internet access, in which a computer grabs an Internet signal from orbiting satellites via an outdoor satellite dish. The user usually pays a fixed monthly fee for a dedicated connection. In exchange, the company providing the connection agrees to relay data between the user’s computer and the Internet. I think this is what we commonly call as “wireless fidelity” of WiFi.
Dial-up is the least expensive access technology, but it is also the least convenient. To use dial-up access, a subscriber must have a telephone modem, a device that connects a computer to the telephone system and is capable of converting data into sounds and sounds back into data. The user’s ISP provides software that controls the modem. To access the Internet, the user opens the software application, which causes the dial-up modem to place a telephone call to the ISP. A modem at the ISP answers the call, and the two modems use audible tones to send data in both directions. When one of the modems is given data to send, the modem converts the data from the digital values used by computers—numbers stored as a sequence of 1s and 0s—into tones. The receiving side converts the tones back into digital values. Unlike dedicated access technologies, a dial-up modem does not use separate frequencies, so the telephone line cannot be used for regular telephone calls at the same time a dial-up modem is sending data. (Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.)
Benefits to Organizations and Universities
As soon as we are connected to the global link, we are part of the Internet. We can access and share information hence organizations can rely on it to be linked with their resources of data, business partners, and others to communicate. Those who are in the business sector know very well the advantages of network linkages (which are very useful for promotion of their businesses). Those who are in the service division and government gain benefits in the communication and collaboration to other agencies. And those in learning institutions (e.g. schools, universities, and colleges) need it in the classrooms, in the office, in the laboratory, and even in home and outside the campus.
Basically, the university members (faculty, students, and staff) and the university itself rely on the Internet to carry out the vital functions necessary to support the university’s teachings, research and outreach missions. In educational purposes alone, the Internet has a big role in helping the students and teachers alike to acquire, share, and gather facts and all kinds of information. As we have observed now, our libraries, resource centers, research areas, study halls and other places where we visit to see some archived information have Internet connections. Still others which have no direct Internet connectivity though, have networked link from one computer to the other.
I, for instance, am a living (and breathing!) example of how Internet technology can be a big help to students. Ever since I knew Internet (my idea about it is that, it is something where I could research for my assignments. That is why most of my allowance would go to the internet cafés because I prefer to use computers than spend time browsing the pages of old and torn books in the library.), my study and research habits changed. Because of the wide (and still going wider!) availability and accessibility of the Internet to all users, students would prefer going to the internet shops after class (or even between classes!) to surf for some answers in the net. Of course, where I could find any resource else where I can have numerous results to my questions that fast? From simple archives of little answers by people to online posted questions to research papers, eBooks, forum discussions, online tutors and chatters willing to give opinions, I will not be surprised that someday, books in the libraries will no longer be used (or worse, exist!) instead all its contents will be posted in the net and accessed by students and teachers alike.
In my university, students log on to the internet to find information and entertainment. Still others while browsing for educational sites would open another window or tab to log in to their favorite networking site and chat with some friends. We do assignments online too, as we are also sharing course notes and lecture slides to our electronic groups and mails. Apart from that students are also requested to make, design, or maintain web sites blogs. And relating to our course, we do programs in the computers and sometimes connect to programming sites to find sample codes. In short, we do a LOT of things on the Internet.
Status of the University
As we all know, university employees, (whether faculty, staff or students) can make significant contributions to university business and its mission inside and outside normal hours and from in or off-campus locations. These tasks are dependent on reliable and high-speed Internet access.
But like any other institutions that have network links, issues about Internet connectivity and speed will never be left unnoticed. Users who spend more time using the Internet at school laboratories would definitely be the ones who could observe the variance in speed and ease of use of university computers and its programs / applications including the Internet. Having knowledge about the hardware and software (and people ware, too!) components of information systems, I guess, is a big help to understand it. And being able to understand the cycle of an information system could perhaps one major factor to help eliminate glitches by improving it.
Technically speaking, we do not have high-speed Internet connectivity in our university. Just a few years back, we wait for minutes just for a site to load. Thereby, decreasing our time and productivity to do some assignments and research. We pay enough for our laboratory fee (or Internet usage), yet we can not use it efficiently. (How sad.) True enough the primary problems that arise relating to internet connectivity are speed, or bandwidth, and telecommunications infrastructure needs.
As I have observed when we are using the computer laboratory at the Nodal Center (IC Lab 2), congestion occurs especially if most users access the internet. Internet traffic is increasing and thus speed is at stake. In the present the network administrators have found ways to improve it so now users can access the internet more quickly than before because the pages take lesser time to load. The problem that still needs to consider now is the traffic congestion that occurs when most computer units used are accessing through the internet at the same time. During selective times of the day, I notice that when most students are surfing all at once, the internet pages are also taking more time to load. And as the number of users is increasing so as the increasing traffic especially if the pages opened contain greater amounts of data (e.g. video, audio, photos, etc.).
I guess the administration shall find more ways to further improve the internet connectivity in the university. Not only will it help ease the use of the internet for educational purposes but it will also save much costs.
Some suggestions to improve the internet connectivity
I do not actually have much knowledge about the technicalities of the internet connection status in the university. But I have confidence that the system and network administrators working for it (proud to mention our co-college faculties and maintenance operators!) know the better ways to further develop the internet connectivity in the campus. That is, if the university would also be willing to cooperate and support what is best for it. Since the critical mass of IT resources is necessary to support the integration of information technology in the programs of study, the university shall uncover necessary resources to maximize the potential of IT so to transform higher education. Let me try some tips I have surfed through the net:
Planning. Any and all kinds of things would not work out successfully without having a ground plan from which all factors affecting the function of a certain object are being discussed carefully. This is actually where an organization begins towards project implementations. In the university case, I am sure that the ‘big people’ are on organizing ideas for a good scheme regarding the case. For this matter, the administration should know the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities and analyze them to come up with a set of strategies. Needs and problems should be targeted and assessing the current status shall be assessed to achieve the vision of the university. I also suggest simulation to have actual testing, and students and faculties who are the most common users could participate into it. This shall also include determining the availability of internet service, the kind(s) of technology to be applied, the type(s) of infrastructure to put together, the manner of innovations to be used, and several steps and processes to be done.
In terms of bandwidth (the amount of data that a computer network can transfer in a certain amount of time, and is measured in kbps or mbps), I guess the university should tap an ISP which can provide a tolerable amount of bandwidth for the campus. (We should also check if the ISP is really committed in providing the exact amount of speed.) Of course we have come up with an assessment of the needs of the campus and pointed out the essential factors such as what type of usage do most internet users on the campus are doing. Are they surfing in the net for file-sharing only? Are they using much bandwidth for networking from one college or office to another? Does the research works of students and faculties focus more on plain texts and documents, or do we also have processes that involves greater amount of data such as audio-video streaming? By how much and how often? During what times of day do these tasks take place the most? Evaluating these with the help of operators and maintenance operators (since they know much about tracing the logs) could pinpoint the heaviest and ‘in-demand’ computer tasks that happens in the laboratories and offices and during which periods of the day will the network administrators shall control the amount of bandwidth supplied in the computer laboratories accessing the internet. Having oriented with the types of connection, we could also decide whether the ideal internet connection for the campus is DSL or Broadband, or shall we consider WiFi in some areas only or all throughout the campus. This is also to help maximize the use of internet and cut cost, that is, we all know the university is on tight budget. Since the access of net in various offices can be controlled, then we could apply some tweaks in the network connection so to optimize the network speed. There are some software programs available online that could boost internet connection speed.
I also liked the idea presented by some computer science experts at the University of Illinois about their so-called PERM (Practical End-host collaborative Residential Multihoming) which is a software framework allowing neighbors to pool their internet access and improve both performance and resilience. Although this idea is made for residential areas, I hope we could develop not necessarily the same framework but the same concept. For more about it, pls click this link http://news.illinois.edu/NEWS/06/0427internet.html
I could also imagine of applying the same thought to connecting the offices inside the campus or even other campuses or branches of the university.
Well, solving the inadequate supply of bandwidth is not enough if appropriate systems are not put in place to deal with issues of bandwidth optimization and management. Let us also take a look with the hardware and software infrastructure of the university. Are our computer systems in the campus robust enough to hold and process large amounts of data necessary for use? Because sometimes we have tendencies of getting the best and the fastest connection we could get while ignoring some matters regarding the right specifications of the computer units we have.
Do we have fault-tolerant computer systems which contain hardware, software, and power supply components to provide continuous service? Do we have high-availability computing or tools and technologies enabling system to recover quickly from crash? Why did I include disaster recovery plans of computer systems where in fact our main focus is internet connectivity? I think so because these system crash and failures that may happen could further affect the internet usage in the university, not only in terms of usage but also of financial matters. So in events of computer outage, we can run the university business. We have to improve our intranet structure in the campus, make it more reliable and robust, and support adequate services manned by faculties who can work at home checking the internet connection of the university from time to time so to keep an eye on it.
Firewalls could also help prevent unauthorized users from accessing the network. Having an Intrusion Detection System would aid in monitoring vulnerable points in network to detect and deter unauthorized users. I admit that there are various WiFi connections available in the campus offices. Some are security-enabled and few are open for access. Still we can find other private connections from other organizations outside the university. I must admit that restricting the use of these connections is good in the sense that whoever tries to connect to it will be asked for a password to be able to use it so to control internet traffic. There were times when we experience being connected but somehow after a few minutes somebody blocks the unit we are using so we could no longer share the same wireless connection. I guess this is being detected and done so to manage the amount of bandwidth. But what made us feel not good is that, there were also times when all of the available WiFi connections are not accessible by students who are using laptops hoping to catch some ‘leaks’ in the campus because all are secured. Our school being a center of education should also grant opportunities for students to use these kinds of technology. And if the university is just trying to control the internet traffic in the connection of the campus, I guess they do not have to prevent the students’ access because it is also our right to connect to the internet. I know other schools have campus-wide internet connection for every student, faculty, and staff to use. I guess we should start doing the same too.
I have also searched and found some tips in increasing broadband internet speed. Among these are: network latency can be reduced by increasing the request buffer size, altering the network task scheduler, and increasing the network transfer rate.
In general, the results of these tips would be best gained if there are also balanced planning, funding, and support not only by the people who man the systems but the university as a whole. Applying these concepts of better technology, infrastructure, and innovations does not necessarily mean we have to spend our budget for the newer resources. We just have to weigh and evaluate our needs and think some options that would match to our priorities.
References:
Encarta 2007
Encarta Dictionaries
Wikipedia
Laudon & Laudon Management Information Systems Chapter 1 Managing the Digital Firm Chapter 14 Information Systems Security and Control
Software allows neighbors to improve Internet access at no extra cost
http://news.illinois.edu/NEWS/06/0427internet.html
Quick guide to Internet connectivity issues in African universities
http://www.infodev.org/en/Publication.324.html
Best Ways to Improve Internet Speed
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Best-Ways-to-Improve-Internet-Speed/942150
Network Speed Tweaks - Connection Speed
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/speedtweaks/Network_Speed_Tweaks_Connection_Speed.htm
How to Improve Your Broadband Connection over a LAN line
http://www.broadbandinfo.com/high-speed-internet/tweaks/how-to-improve-your-broadband-connection-over-a-lan-line.html
VicMan Software Best improve internet connection software
http://www.vicman.net/download/7841/
Making Connections
http://asumag.com/mag/university_making_connections_2/
Planning for Internet Connectivity: A Resource for Communities
http://www.communitydevelopment.uiuc.edu/toolbox/interCon.html
Information Technology Policy and Services
http://cio.osu.edu/policies/homeuse.html
Advantages Of Broadband Connection Washington
http://articles.directorym.com/Advantages_Of_Broadband_Connection_Washington-r974806-Washington.html
Transforming Higher Education Using Information Technology: First Steps
http://technologysource.org/article/transforming_higher_education_using_information_technology/
Global University System with Globally Collaborative Innovation Network
http://www.friends-partners.org/utsumi/Peace%20Gaming/Paper%20for%20TOJDE,%20Vol%206,%20No.%203%20copy/GUS+GCIN_D2_Abridged%20by%20Linda%20Israel_03-10-06%20copy/GUS+GCIN_D2_Abridged%20by%20L.I._v5.pdf
Well, well, well… Here we go again. As much as I want take this easy and straight, I have to make this long enough (just enough to satisfy the needed number of words) and so I guess, I’m sorry to say this but I must streeeetch this quite loooong… hahaha.
Consider this question for our topic now – if you were hired by the university president as an IT consultant (wow, big deal!), what would you suggest (technology, infrastructure, innovations, steps, processes, etc) in order for the internet connectivity be improved?? Uh-huh… So this is quite a serious matter to talk about. Being hired as a consultant is really a bit serious but there is more for the institution that I belong to. So let me first talk about some things which are essential for this issue.
Internet and technology – what are they and what can they do?
Briefly, let us take some backward steps to some definitions of the terminologies. Internet, as what most computer savvy people would say, is a global network of networks. With its universal technology platform, any computer can communicate with any other computer. And through its World Wide Web applications and websites, the internet has gained popularity over millions of thousands people from all parts of the globe. As they say, “Internet is where you can find anything under the sun!”
Communication nowadays has been transformed into another form and ways – I have noticed it. And I suppose all grounds were broken from one foundation – the discovery of the chip that developed into the age of computers and eventually into applications of the technology that we are using today including the Internet connectivity.
So much about that I guess I am blabbing all my way out here about how the world transformed from the history when technology is in its lower level. Hahaha. Actually I was just imagining the time of my life when I was first introduced to the Internet. I did not know the ability of Internet connectivity at that time. But truly, I just can simply recall how technology is changing the way we acquire and share information in the present. In the past, we make great efforts to find every book in the library we could just to find a single topic. Now, we just face the computer, have a few clicks, and get connected to the online resource provider where we could get any information anytime, anywhere.
What can you do on the internet? One can communicate and collaborate through online connection to people and other areas – locally and across seas and mountains. I could still remember my professor who once told us about Thomas Freedman’s statement that “the world is flat.” By just moving a computer’s mouse and a few clicks, one can travel the globe in an hour! Internet lets us access information even from another computer miles away by networking. We can participate in discussions here and there through connecting to conferences and forums and blogs and still more groups online. Moreover, one can find entertainment brought by gaming, chatting, surfing, social networking and the like; exchange business transactions and moving through electronic commerce by enabling the digital market. File-sharing, downloading, instant messaging, and electronic mailing (e-mail) are also done through internet. That is the power brought by the technology we have in the world today.
Internet access in a computer is provided by what we call Internet Service Providers or ISP. ISPs offer internet access to customers usually on a monthly fee. The customers uses the ISP’s network to access the Internet. Actually, there are several kinds of internet connection depending on the type of access. The three (3) broad categories described by MS Encarta are: dedicated, dial-up, and wireless. With dedicated access, a subscriber’s computer remains directly connected to the Internet at all times through a permanent, physical connection. Most large businesses have high-capacity dedicated connections; small businesses or individuals that desire dedicated access choose technologies such as digital subscriber line (DSL) or cable modems, which both use existing wiring to lower cost. A DSL sends data across the same wires that telephone service uses, and cable modems use the same wiring that cable television uses. In each case, the electronic devices that are used to send data over the wires employ separate frequencies or channels that do not interfere with other signals on the wires. Thus, a DSL Internet connection can send data over a pair of wires at the same time the wires are being used for a telephone call, and cable modems can send data over a cable at the same time the cable is being used to receive television signals.
Another, less-popular option is satellite Internet access, in which a computer grabs an Internet signal from orbiting satellites via an outdoor satellite dish. The user usually pays a fixed monthly fee for a dedicated connection. In exchange, the company providing the connection agrees to relay data between the user’s computer and the Internet. I think this is what we commonly call as “wireless fidelity” of WiFi.
Dial-up is the least expensive access technology, but it is also the least convenient. To use dial-up access, a subscriber must have a telephone modem, a device that connects a computer to the telephone system and is capable of converting data into sounds and sounds back into data. The user’s ISP provides software that controls the modem. To access the Internet, the user opens the software application, which causes the dial-up modem to place a telephone call to the ISP. A modem at the ISP answers the call, and the two modems use audible tones to send data in both directions. When one of the modems is given data to send, the modem converts the data from the digital values used by computers—numbers stored as a sequence of 1s and 0s—into tones. The receiving side converts the tones back into digital values. Unlike dedicated access technologies, a dial-up modem does not use separate frequencies, so the telephone line cannot be used for regular telephone calls at the same time a dial-up modem is sending data. (Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.)
Benefits to Organizations and Universities
As soon as we are connected to the global link, we are part of the Internet. We can access and share information hence organizations can rely on it to be linked with their resources of data, business partners, and others to communicate. Those who are in the business sector know very well the advantages of network linkages (which are very useful for promotion of their businesses). Those who are in the service division and government gain benefits in the communication and collaboration to other agencies. And those in learning institutions (e.g. schools, universities, and colleges) need it in the classrooms, in the office, in the laboratory, and even in home and outside the campus.
Basically, the university members (faculty, students, and staff) and the university itself rely on the Internet to carry out the vital functions necessary to support the university’s teachings, research and outreach missions. In educational purposes alone, the Internet has a big role in helping the students and teachers alike to acquire, share, and gather facts and all kinds of information. As we have observed now, our libraries, resource centers, research areas, study halls and other places where we visit to see some archived information have Internet connections. Still others which have no direct Internet connectivity though, have networked link from one computer to the other.
I, for instance, am a living (and breathing!) example of how Internet technology can be a big help to students. Ever since I knew Internet (my idea about it is that, it is something where I could research for my assignments. That is why most of my allowance would go to the internet cafés because I prefer to use computers than spend time browsing the pages of old and torn books in the library.), my study and research habits changed. Because of the wide (and still going wider!) availability and accessibility of the Internet to all users, students would prefer going to the internet shops after class (or even between classes!) to surf for some answers in the net. Of course, where I could find any resource else where I can have numerous results to my questions that fast? From simple archives of little answers by people to online posted questions to research papers, eBooks, forum discussions, online tutors and chatters willing to give opinions, I will not be surprised that someday, books in the libraries will no longer be used (or worse, exist!) instead all its contents will be posted in the net and accessed by students and teachers alike.
In my university, students log on to the internet to find information and entertainment. Still others while browsing for educational sites would open another window or tab to log in to their favorite networking site and chat with some friends. We do assignments online too, as we are also sharing course notes and lecture slides to our electronic groups and mails. Apart from that students are also requested to make, design, or maintain web sites blogs. And relating to our course, we do programs in the computers and sometimes connect to programming sites to find sample codes. In short, we do a LOT of things on the Internet.
Status of the University
As we all know, university employees, (whether faculty, staff or students) can make significant contributions to university business and its mission inside and outside normal hours and from in or off-campus locations. These tasks are dependent on reliable and high-speed Internet access.
But like any other institutions that have network links, issues about Internet connectivity and speed will never be left unnoticed. Users who spend more time using the Internet at school laboratories would definitely be the ones who could observe the variance in speed and ease of use of university computers and its programs / applications including the Internet. Having knowledge about the hardware and software (and people ware, too!) components of information systems, I guess, is a big help to understand it. And being able to understand the cycle of an information system could perhaps one major factor to help eliminate glitches by improving it.
Technically speaking, we do not have high-speed Internet connectivity in our university. Just a few years back, we wait for minutes just for a site to load. Thereby, decreasing our time and productivity to do some assignments and research. We pay enough for our laboratory fee (or Internet usage), yet we can not use it efficiently. (How sad.) True enough the primary problems that arise relating to internet connectivity are speed, or bandwidth, and telecommunications infrastructure needs.
As I have observed when we are using the computer laboratory at the Nodal Center (IC Lab 2), congestion occurs especially if most users access the internet. Internet traffic is increasing and thus speed is at stake. In the present the network administrators have found ways to improve it so now users can access the internet more quickly than before because the pages take lesser time to load. The problem that still needs to consider now is the traffic congestion that occurs when most computer units used are accessing through the internet at the same time. During selective times of the day, I notice that when most students are surfing all at once, the internet pages are also taking more time to load. And as the number of users is increasing so as the increasing traffic especially if the pages opened contain greater amounts of data (e.g. video, audio, photos, etc.).
I guess the administration shall find more ways to further improve the internet connectivity in the university. Not only will it help ease the use of the internet for educational purposes but it will also save much costs.
Some suggestions to improve the internet connectivity
I do not actually have much knowledge about the technicalities of the internet connection status in the university. But I have confidence that the system and network administrators working for it (proud to mention our co-college faculties and maintenance operators!) know the better ways to further develop the internet connectivity in the campus. That is, if the university would also be willing to cooperate and support what is best for it. Since the critical mass of IT resources is necessary to support the integration of information technology in the programs of study, the university shall uncover necessary resources to maximize the potential of IT so to transform higher education. Let me try some tips I have surfed through the net:
Planning. Any and all kinds of things would not work out successfully without having a ground plan from which all factors affecting the function of a certain object are being discussed carefully. This is actually where an organization begins towards project implementations. In the university case, I am sure that the ‘big people’ are on organizing ideas for a good scheme regarding the case. For this matter, the administration should know the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities and analyze them to come up with a set of strategies. Needs and problems should be targeted and assessing the current status shall be assessed to achieve the vision of the university. I also suggest simulation to have actual testing, and students and faculties who are the most common users could participate into it. This shall also include determining the availability of internet service, the kind(s) of technology to be applied, the type(s) of infrastructure to put together, the manner of innovations to be used, and several steps and processes to be done.
In terms of bandwidth (the amount of data that a computer network can transfer in a certain amount of time, and is measured in kbps or mbps), I guess the university should tap an ISP which can provide a tolerable amount of bandwidth for the campus. (We should also check if the ISP is really committed in providing the exact amount of speed.) Of course we have come up with an assessment of the needs of the campus and pointed out the essential factors such as what type of usage do most internet users on the campus are doing. Are they surfing in the net for file-sharing only? Are they using much bandwidth for networking from one college or office to another? Does the research works of students and faculties focus more on plain texts and documents, or do we also have processes that involves greater amount of data such as audio-video streaming? By how much and how often? During what times of day do these tasks take place the most? Evaluating these with the help of operators and maintenance operators (since they know much about tracing the logs) could pinpoint the heaviest and ‘in-demand’ computer tasks that happens in the laboratories and offices and during which periods of the day will the network administrators shall control the amount of bandwidth supplied in the computer laboratories accessing the internet. Having oriented with the types of connection, we could also decide whether the ideal internet connection for the campus is DSL or Broadband, or shall we consider WiFi in some areas only or all throughout the campus. This is also to help maximize the use of internet and cut cost, that is, we all know the university is on tight budget. Since the access of net in various offices can be controlled, then we could apply some tweaks in the network connection so to optimize the network speed. There are some software programs available online that could boost internet connection speed.
I also liked the idea presented by some computer science experts at the University of Illinois about their so-called PERM (Practical End-host collaborative Residential Multihoming) which is a software framework allowing neighbors to pool their internet access and improve both performance and resilience. Although this idea is made for residential areas, I hope we could develop not necessarily the same framework but the same concept. For more about it, pls click this link http://news.illinois.edu/NEWS/06/0427internet.html
I could also imagine of applying the same thought to connecting the offices inside the campus or even other campuses or branches of the university.
Well, solving the inadequate supply of bandwidth is not enough if appropriate systems are not put in place to deal with issues of bandwidth optimization and management. Let us also take a look with the hardware and software infrastructure of the university. Are our computer systems in the campus robust enough to hold and process large amounts of data necessary for use? Because sometimes we have tendencies of getting the best and the fastest connection we could get while ignoring some matters regarding the right specifications of the computer units we have.
Do we have fault-tolerant computer systems which contain hardware, software, and power supply components to provide continuous service? Do we have high-availability computing or tools and technologies enabling system to recover quickly from crash? Why did I include disaster recovery plans of computer systems where in fact our main focus is internet connectivity? I think so because these system crash and failures that may happen could further affect the internet usage in the university, not only in terms of usage but also of financial matters. So in events of computer outage, we can run the university business. We have to improve our intranet structure in the campus, make it more reliable and robust, and support adequate services manned by faculties who can work at home checking the internet connection of the university from time to time so to keep an eye on it.
Firewalls could also help prevent unauthorized users from accessing the network. Having an Intrusion Detection System would aid in monitoring vulnerable points in network to detect and deter unauthorized users. I admit that there are various WiFi connections available in the campus offices. Some are security-enabled and few are open for access. Still we can find other private connections from other organizations outside the university. I must admit that restricting the use of these connections is good in the sense that whoever tries to connect to it will be asked for a password to be able to use it so to control internet traffic. There were times when we experience being connected but somehow after a few minutes somebody blocks the unit we are using so we could no longer share the same wireless connection. I guess this is being detected and done so to manage the amount of bandwidth. But what made us feel not good is that, there were also times when all of the available WiFi connections are not accessible by students who are using laptops hoping to catch some ‘leaks’ in the campus because all are secured. Our school being a center of education should also grant opportunities for students to use these kinds of technology. And if the university is just trying to control the internet traffic in the connection of the campus, I guess they do not have to prevent the students’ access because it is also our right to connect to the internet. I know other schools have campus-wide internet connection for every student, faculty, and staff to use. I guess we should start doing the same too.
I have also searched and found some tips in increasing broadband internet speed. Among these are: network latency can be reduced by increasing the request buffer size, altering the network task scheduler, and increasing the network transfer rate.
In general, the results of these tips would be best gained if there are also balanced planning, funding, and support not only by the people who man the systems but the university as a whole. Applying these concepts of better technology, infrastructure, and innovations does not necessarily mean we have to spend our budget for the newer resources. We just have to weigh and evaluate our needs and think some options that would match to our priorities.
References:
Encarta 2007
Encarta Dictionaries
Wikipedia
Laudon & Laudon Management Information Systems Chapter 1 Managing the Digital Firm Chapter 14 Information Systems Security and Control
Software allows neighbors to improve Internet access at no extra cost
http://news.illinois.edu/NEWS/06/0427internet.html
Quick guide to Internet connectivity issues in African universities
http://www.infodev.org/en/Publication.324.html
Best Ways to Improve Internet Speed
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Best-Ways-to-Improve-Internet-Speed/942150
Network Speed Tweaks - Connection Speed
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/speedtweaks/Network_Speed_Tweaks_Connection_Speed.htm
How to Improve Your Broadband Connection over a LAN line
http://www.broadbandinfo.com/high-speed-internet/tweaks/how-to-improve-your-broadband-connection-over-a-lan-line.html
VicMan Software Best improve internet connection software
http://www.vicman.net/download/7841/
Making Connections
http://asumag.com/mag/university_making_connections_2/
Planning for Internet Connectivity: A Resource for Communities
http://www.communitydevelopment.uiuc.edu/toolbox/interCon.html
Information Technology Policy and Services
http://cio.osu.edu/policies/homeuse.html
Advantages Of Broadband Connection Washington
http://articles.directorym.com/Advantages_Of_Broadband_Connection_Washington-r974806-Washington.html
Transforming Higher Education Using Information Technology: First Steps
http://technologysource.org/article/transforming_higher_education_using_information_technology/
Global University System with Globally Collaborative Innovation Network
http://www.friends-partners.org/utsumi/Peace%20Gaming/Paper%20for%20TOJDE,%20Vol%206,%20No.%203%20copy/GUS+GCIN_D2_Abridged%20by%20Linda%20Israel_03-10-06%20copy/GUS+GCIN_D2_Abridged%20by%20L.I._v5.pdf
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