1. <add school name here> School
Equipment Upgrade and Cabling Project Template <date>
The following provides an outline for IT infrastructure and network modernization project planning. The goal is to identify the project scope, complexity, cost elements and other project readiness factors.
Completion due date for 2017 Fulcrum Funding (Wave 1): 1/15/17
Return to Tom O’Callahan
For questions, contact:
Tom O’Callahan
A) Package
The template is intended to be completed by the school technology planner and incorporate IT and education technology plans.
Prepared for <principal> by <IT Staff/Leader>
2017 School Network Project Template

2. Introduction and Technical Goals
This is a template to prepare a network modernization project for E-Rate and Fulcrum Foundation grants. This data is required to identify the network equipment and apply for funding. The goal is to plan and build a network to meets the 5-8 year requirements for performance, robust/reliability, ease of operation.
The school’s IT staff and OCS/ITAG staff will team to complete the school’s plan templates to document to project:
Requirements section confirms the school’s 2017 readiness.
Detailed system/network design templates document the integration other IT infrastructure components into the wireless modernization project. This is a system engineering review of both education technology and IT initiatives. Typically, there are other IT project requirements that are incorporated during wireless modernization.
2017 School Network Project Template

3. 2017 School Network Project Template
Planning the Project
Understanding the technology assets is key to technology integration and operation
The school will need to inventory the following:
Network Electronics
Internet
Router
Firewall
Content Filter
Switches
Physical Infrastructure
Classroom Cabling, Jacks, Cable Ways
Rack, Patch Cables, and Cable Management
Power Strips
Electrical Grounding
2017 School Network Project Template

4. Network Modernization
Goals:
This phase seeks to confirm the school’s wireless modernization project timing.
High level requirements to estimate the scope of work and estimated cost.
2017 School Network Project Template

5. 2017 School Network Project Template
Step 1: How does the network modernization support the school technology goals?
Provide a summary of the school’s education technology goals, initiatives and challenges (1:1, BYOD). -
How will network modernization further the goals? (provide high performance, more robust/higher availability, extend service to additional classrooms, reduce operation costs)
This is combined effort by the educational technology and IT staff.
2017 School Network Project Template

6. Network Modernization Plan and Design
Follows the initial scoping in Step 1
Detailed project planning, engineering, and design.
A system-wide IT infrastructure elements and components review to identify for project operational and technology impacts
Additional technology upgrades identified and integration into the project.
2017 School Network Project Template

7. Wireless Network Design Guidelines
Wave 2 Technology: The typical design requires new IEEE ac Wave 2 technology access points (replacement of all pre-Wave 2 access points) and a 48 port PoE+ switch. Generally, a 48 port switch provides the capacity for all the access points connections. The technology refresh should consider replacing all 10/100 only switches.
Placement: The wireless design goal is to provide all classrooms high speed wireless network access and this typically requires an access point in every classroom. Some exceptions can be considered for very large and very small classrooms.
Mounting: The Wave 2 access points require ceiling mounting to provide the geometry to dynamically establish multiple radio beams to clients.
Cabling: end-to-end Cat 5e cabling or better. Cat 6 patch cords are strongly recommended for the access points connections and for all the patch panel connections (mini Cat 6).
2017 School Network Project Template

8. Technology References
OCS/ITAG Technology Statement of Direction
Intermediate System Configuration Guidelines
Introduction to the Physical Layer
Cable and Rack Design
2017 School Network Project Template

9. Step 2: Wireless Network Plan
Insert a school classroom floor plan diagram with the classroom names in the middle of the diagram that need wireless network access. Include any non-classroom locations. Note: Floor plan may be an estimate.
Place an X on the IT/network room.
1 and 2nd
Rm 102 X
4th
Rm 104
6th
Rm 106
Office
3rd
Rm 103
5th
Rm 105
7th
Rm 107
8th
Rm 108
2017 School Network Project Template

10. Step 3: IT Network Modernization Project Inventory Worksheet
Infrastructure Equipment
Qty and Location
Class-room
Non-class-room
Equip Room
Notes
Wireless Access Points #
PoE+ switch(es)
multiple equip rooms?
Cabling: Cat 5e or better
Cabling: Fiber (OM3)
intra-campus connection?
Firewall/Content Filter
Rack and cable mgmt
Power (strip/UPS)
rack mounted
Other
Instructions: The inventory provides the high level project requirements to develop an estimated project cost. The typical design requires new IEEE ac Wave 2 technology access points (replacement of all pre-Wave 2 access points) and a 48 port PoE+ switch. Generally, one 48 port switch capacity provides the capacity for all the access points. The technology refresh should consider replacing all 10/100 only switches as well.
The wireless design goal is to provide all classrooms high speed wireless network access which typically requires an access point in every classroom. Some exceptions can be granted for very large and very small classrooms. Non-classroom locations should also be documented.
The project engineering requires down facing, usually ceiling mounting, of all classroom access points this is required to provide the access points the proper 3-D geometry for MU-MIMO beam forming with computers. The cabling must be end-to-end Cat 5e cabling or better. Note: Cat 6 patch cables are strongly recommended for the access points connections and required for all the patch panel to switch connections (mini Cat 6). Cat5e patch cables are largely obsolete.
Use this inventory to place the access points, all switches, firewall and content filter on the Step 4 school network topology diagram
2017 School Network Project Template

11. Step 4: Provide a Current School Network Topology Diagram
Current Topology as of <1/7/17>
Switch
(model)
Access Points
(qty)
ISP Fiber/ Cable modem
Firewall
(model)
Switch
(model)
Server(s)
Instructions: This is an example of a typical network. Use your best guess to identify how network equipment/components are connected together. Specify the model of the component.
The current topology diagram is helpful to identify potential performance and latency bottlenecks to review for a network re-design. The model number helps to identify if a system component is 1Gbps capable.
Instructions: Fill in the current state equipment Specify the model of the component.
The current topology diagram is helpful to identify potential performance and latency bottlenecks to review for a network re-design. The model number helps to identify if a system component is 1Gbps capable.
2017 School Network Project Template

12. Diagram A: Final Site School Network Topology Example
Final Topology
ISP Fiber/ Cable modem
Firewall
(model)
PoE+ Switch (model)
Cables - Cat5e
(school funded)
802.11ac Wave 2
Access point
(model)
(potential funding)
(project funded)
(project funded)
Instructions: Fill in the current state equipment and the future plans. Specify the model of the component. This is a current and final network topology diagram of the physical path and equipment from the classroom to the Internet.
In general, the most capable/newest technology “hub” switch is directly connected to the firewall/content filter and servers and older switches are connected to the hub switch.
The current topology diagram is helpful to identify potential performance and latency bottlenecks to review for a network re-design. The model number helps to identify if a system component is 1Gbps capable.
In general, the most capable/newest technology switch is directly connected to the firewall/content filter and servers and older switches are connected to the hub switch or retired.
2017 School Network Project Template

13. 2017 School Network Project Template
Step 5: Walk thru classrooms and identify a place on the ceiling to attach the new wireless access point
Wireless Classroom
Cat5e/6 Cable
Attachment point
Notes
Rm 102
Possible/needs visit
Drop ceiling
Rm 103 No
Ceiling beam
Rm 104
Rm 105
Need to visit
Office
Not a classroom
Ceiling Attachment considerations: Is there a dropped ceiling? Is there a ceiling beam?
All new access points must be installed down-facing for correct radio antenna orientation.
The project engineering requires down facing, usually ceiling mounting, of all classroom access points this is required to provide the access points the proper 3-D geometry for MU-MIMO beam forming with computers.
This is the most time consuming task and key to understanding scope of work. Taking ceiling photos is highly recommended to document potential locations.
Identify which classrooms may have cabling to the ceiling and the proposed location to attach the access point. Typically, existing classroom cabling cannot be reused for a wireless access point due to location or performance/age.
2017 School Network Project Template

14. Step 6: MDF Rack Design as of 1/7/17
Add “As Is” Photos: 1. Equipment Rack(s) 2. Patch Panel(s) Cabling
Remediation QA 1
Replace something (power strip/UPS) - 2
Relocate something (switch is mounted directly below patch panel) 3
Install something (mini Cat 6 patch cables, rack grounding) 4 5
Example
Equipment: ID the rack location
Device
Existing(Model)
Future State(Model)
Switch/PoE+,STP Root)
FW/Content Filter
Router
Switch
Access points Wave 2
(Qty 0)
(Qty 5)
This documents the existing equipment and assisting with planning the size/capacity and installation of the switch and cable management.
Example
Template Deviation 1
XXXX
Copy and Paste as
Required. Don’t
Remove
✖ ✔
2017 School Network Project Template

15. Step 6a: IDF rack Wall mount cabinet
Remediation QA 1 - 2 3 4
Add Rack and
Cabling Photo
Equipment
Device
Existing(Model)
Future State(Model)
Swiitch (PoE+)
Switch
Access point Wave2
(11)
Deviation 1
XXXX 2
Copy and Paste as
Required. Don’t
Remove
✖ ✔
2017 School Network Project Template

16. 2017 School Network Project Template
Step 7: IT Modernization Project Scope Worksheet How large is the network? Has something been overlooked?
Existing #
Planned #
Notes
IP Phones
Security Cameras
Wired Desktops
Servers/Shared Systems
Smartboards/Doc Cameras
Intercom
Bells
Printers
Other
Apple TV/Airplay
Projectors
This worksheet provides an estimate of other infrastructure to help size the equipment room equipment and the classroom connections. Plans for infrastructure upgrades that could or must be coordinated with the wireless network modernization are identified.
2017 School Network Project Template

17. Step 8: Firewall and Content Filter Technology
Existing
Planned
Notes (replacement plans/VLAN capable)
Sonic Wall
Barracuda
Fortinet
OpenDNS
Meraki MX
Cisco ASA
Linksys
ClearOS
Palo Alto
Other (specify)
This worksheet identifies the firewall and content filter technology
2017 School Network Project Template

18. 2017 School Network Project Template
Appendix
2017 School Network Project Template

19. 2017 School Network Project Template
The standard is ceiling mounting. This is an example for non-standard access point mounting. This should be considered temporary until the classroom ceiling is suitable for ceiling mounting.
Wall Mounted Access Point Meraki Wireless AP wall mounting Oberoninc
This is an option when an access point cannot be ceiling mounted. Note that the access point is down facing mounted close to the ceiling and power over Ethernet (PoE+) powered.
2017 School Network Project Template

20. 2017 School Network Project Template
QA Checklist Summary
Yes/No
QA Check List Physical – 100% Passed
(Present Check List if there are exceptions)
QA Check List Logical – 100% Passed HW
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( )
Comments:
Wiring
Dated: xx/xx/17
WiFi
Dated: xx/xx/17
[ ]
Dated: xx/xx/17
Project Complete
N/A
Partial
Complete
N/A
Complete
Complete
Dated: xx/xx/17
2017 School Network Project Template