Federal E-Rate LAN/WLAN Implementation for Nation's Third Largest Urban School System

Project Description

SD·I provided over 600 schools with networking services to provide Internet access under the Federal E-Rate Program. Over 8,000 pieces of equipment were installed, tested, and certified over a four year period. SD·I’s team of LAN and WLAN experts were required to comprehensively design, install and test each school as requested by the school system. SD·I was called upon to create the wireless security standards to govern the wireless communication within the schools.

Project Goals

SD·I has coordinated the inventory and network connectivity projects over schools' geographic area. Both school project executives and prime contractor used SD·I as the lead technical consulting group for technical questions regarding this program. SD·I conducted technical training for support staff. SD·I helped provide technical guidance on any components that fell outside the normal range of the project and supported other technical vendors with their issues. School project leaders called SD·I on many occasions when there was an issue with any school that was a part of the E-Rate program and that had a technical problem related to the program.

SD·I Services

• Overall technical advisement during the LAN Design process
• Set security standards for wireless communications
• Complete functionality testing and certification
• LAN/WLAN equipment installation and testing
• LAN/WLAN troubleshooting and problem resolution
• Configuration, testing, and integration of over 8,000 pieces of networking equipment(switches, access points)
• Supported school personnel, school IT coordinators, and contractors through training and documentation
• Performed Quality Assurance inspections on contractors’ work
• Compiled and audited project technical documentation for the Federal E-Rate program
• Technical review and recommendations in the areas of Change Management, Equipment Programming specifications, Product Specifications, and Equipment inventory ordering quantities

Project Results

Due to SD·I’s technical expertise, the E-Rate project proceeded on schedule. School executives implemented SD·I’s recommendations for all of the configured equipment to be placed during the program.