10 Gigabit Ring Connecting 61 District Buildings Enables New Technology and Learning Tools
Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) is connecting its 61 sites with a new fiber optic broadband infrastructure. The new network allows PPS to increase the availability of technology and other computer devices for student use without concern for bandwidth constraints.
The new network will consist of an Ethernet 10 Gigabit network from Fibertech Networks connecting 61 schools terminating at the PPS Data Center. It also includes a 10 Gigabit Ring delivering 1 Gigabit of Dedicated Internet Access to their data center.
“We were seeking to increase the speed of our data network between all of our sites, while reducing costs,” said Scott Gutowski, Chief of Information and Technology for PPS. “The network will allow us to efficiently and effectively serve the IT and communications requirements of our administration, faculty and students between our facilities.”
The new PPS network will be supplied by Fibertech Networks, which will leverage its existing 480-mile fiber optic network in Pittsburgh while building laterals into each PPS site. Fibertech will utilize Ciena’s converged packet optical and packet networking solutions to build connectivity into each site. The upgraded network will be able to deliver the required connectivity needs, while also ensuring the highest levels of reliability and security.
For PPS, the need for increased bandwidth to each school came from all students having iPads. According to Gutowski, every time the district ran their batch file downloads at the end of the school day, each school is pushing 3-4 Gigabit back to the data center. The district is going from splitting 1 Gigabit between 10 schools to having a full 10 Gigabit fiber network with no oversubscription to each school.
“We are very pleased to support PPS and supply the district with the business-critical broadband connectivity necessary to help enable and enhance learning,” said Mike Hurley, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Fibertech. “It’s quite gratifying to help the district maximize its IT environment while exceeding important administrative and student requirements to support their technology initiatives.”
Added Gutowski, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Fibertech, a growing company that not only brings a very compelling architecture to the table, but also a clear hunger to expand their capabilities and growing reputation.”
About Fibertech Networks
Headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., Fibertech Networks is a leader in providing fiber-optic based network services throughout mid-size cities in the Eastern and Central regions of the United States. Fibertech was founded in May of 2000, has built metro-area fiber networks in 30 mid-size markets in the Eastern U.S., and is led by Court Square Capital Partners of New York, N.Y. The company announced on April 27 that is has entered into an agreement to merge with Lightower Fiber Networks. Further information about the company can be found atwww.fibertech.com.
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