Township High School District 214 computer network employees want the district to upgrade its computer network system.
The district has seven T1 lines, high-speed, high-frequency data connections for Internet use. These lines also handle tasks including the computerized heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems at district schools and the library card catalog system.
The lines are at capacity and seven T1 lines must be added to handle the increased load of computerized work within the district, said Keith Mann, director of media and networking services.
In a recent presentation to the school board, Mann and Steven Joseph, network manager, asked the Board of Education to consider switching to another type of connection that provides quicker service with greater capacity. The asynchronous transfer mode, or ATM, has 100 times the capacity of a T1 line, Mann said.
Cost for the new system includes a monthly service charge and upfront expenses to bring the fiber-optic cable to the schools and equipment to operate the network. Monthly service would cost $5,800 to $6,800 with upfront expenses of $300,000 to $600,000.
If the district added the T1 lines, the cost for monthly service would be $6,700, Mann said.
“We’re spending a lot of money on a low-level communication service on a monthly basis,” he said.
Board member Gary Newland said he is not convinced the upgrade is needed and thinks the district should examine alternatives that would get it through the next couple of years and then readdress the issue when technology may have improved and costs reduced.
While board member William Dussling said he supported the ATM system, he is concerned about the length of the contract.
The board deferred the matter until the April 8 board meeting.
