Worthington SD Deploys Fiber Network

Worthington School District in Ohio has implemented a fiber network to connect all 21 district sites.

The district upgraded its network in preparation for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments, which are online math and English language arts assessments in line with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). When the district made the decision to upgrade its network for online assessments, it also wanted to ensure the technology could scale with future growth.

The district partnered with Fibertech Networks to build a scalable network consisting of 10 gigabit point-to-point circuits for 18 district sites and feeding into a 100 gigabit ring that connects the district's three hub sites. According to Fibertech, the company used Ciena's converged packet optical and packet networking solutions to build direct fiber optic connectivity into each site through its existing 350-mile network in Columbus.

Since implementing the fiber optic network, students and teachers no longer have to contend with connection or latency issues when using online video and communications such as Skype or Adobe Connect, and students can now make full use of Web-based instructional software.

"The network also allows us to provide virtual desktop infrastructure for district users, centralizing support and maintenance of desktop applications," said Keith Schlarb, director of information technology at Worthington SD, in a prepared statement. "We are confident that whatever online instruction or technology tools the district decides to implement in the future the bandwidth is available. We have no real restrictions on our bandwidth and that will mean better prepared students for life after high school."

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

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