April 2003 — Applications
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Disadvantaged Kentucky and Tennessee Schools Graduate to High-Speed Cabling
"Where it was viable, we would design and implement a CAT 6 system for above the standard bandwidth and speed, says Gomer. This was true at not only the Wayne County High School, but Allen also retrofitted a NetClearGT3 channel solution, the highest performing premium CAT 6 structured cabling system at the Cooper-Whiteside Elementary School in Paducah, Tenn., and at East End Elementary School in Humboldt, Tenn. He also retrofitted a NetClear GT2, beyond the standard CAT 6 solution, at the new Muhlenberg North Middle School in Greenville, Ky.
In each classroom, there are six computer network connections - one for the teacher and five for the students - and one printer connection. Ortronics Series II or Clarity6 TracJack outlets were utilized because of their modularity to fit into any design or opening. Series II faceplates were installed at all the Wayne County buildings. There are also video connections through enhanced CAT 6 cables in each classroom and library, allowing higher frequencies and longer distances to be realized, and 120 channels of video to be transmitted versus 70 over CAT 5e.
Unique Configurations
The most unique design was at Muhlenberg North Middle School. "We had to keep the old system running while we were building the new one," says Larry Bender, technology director for the Muhlenberg County School District. "Because of this, we have redundant coax and CAT 6 for our video system." The telecom closets were not in rooms and the equipment racks were installed above the HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) system on the concrete mezzanine that runs the length of the building between the ceilings and roof. Plenum cables were then pulled down to the classrooms and other workstation outlets.
When retrofitting the cable at the Cooper-Whiteside Elementary School, the CAT 5 in the raceway, which had been placed in 1992, was replaced with a CAT 6 solution. The data/voice MC was placed behind the stage in an existing auditorium/gym. The IC and the video MC were located in a separate closet in the new wing of the library. "We wanted a premium beyond the standard Cat 6, because it gave us a chance to leapfrog technology and get the highest-rated system with available funding," says Jeff Nelson, technology director for the Paducah Independent School District.
East End Elementary in Humboldt, Tenn., was also able to have enhanced Cat 6 installed. "We are building a new wing for this school and are excited to have the latest and greatest technology available for our students," says Garnett "Butch" Twyman, superintendent of Humboldt City Schools.
"With six drops to every classroom, we can add more computers later," adds Albert Simmons, director of technology, who was instrumental in getting the funding approved for this school, making it the first in their district to have high-speed Internet access.
In many classrooms, teachers and students are already researching over the Internet, as well as using national educational software. "The computers have revolutionized the way the staff and students learn," says Linda Jones, director of public relations for the Wayne County Schools. Together the infrastructure allows leading-edge technology to give these students resources to better prepare for their future endeavors."
- Carol Everett Oliver and Arlene Franchini
Contact Information
Ortronics Inc.New London, CT
(800) 934-5432
www.ortronics.com
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