Networking & Wireless

Eaton SD Adopts Fiber to Grow Digital Learning Initiatives

• By Leila Meyer
• 08/24/16

Eaton School District in northern Colorado has begun the process of upgrading to a 10 gigabit (Gb) private fiber optic wide area network (WAN) between its three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

The district selected WANRack as its service provider for the new network based on its "cost effective solution" and "expertise and proven track record in our region," said Ken Reynolds, director of technology for the school district, in a news release. Several other school districts in the region have already implemented fiber networks from WANRack.

According to information from the company, WANRack "specializes in providing private fiber optic WAN solutions for K-12 school districts nationwide." The company offers both lit and dark fiber networks. With a lit fiber lease, the service provider maintains and operates the equipment required for a fiber network to pass traffic. With a dark fiber lease, the customer is responsible for the equipment maintenance and operation. Eaton School District is installing a lit fiber WAN, according to a report in FierceTelecom.

The school district is taking advantage of recent changes to E-Rate funding rules, which now allow school districts to defray special construction costs associated with network installations. The engineering and permitting processes are currently underway, and the WAN should be ready to use the fall.

The new WAN will help the district "increase organizational efficiency and grow digital learning initiatives," according to a news release, and Reynolds said he expects the network to satisfy the district's bandwidth requirements well into the future.