|
A major emphasis is now being placed on ICT to transform the shape of teaching and learning across all subjects and ages. Not only will it allow children to be taught in new and exciting ways, it will also provide them with valuable skills that will enable them to participate in our changing society and economy.
Significant funds are now being released to enable new schools to be built that will have integrated ICT facilities capable of delivering the individualised learning required to achieve these aims. Thomas Deacon Academy (TDA), based in Peterborough, is a good example of this new investment.
Thin computing infrastructure
In conjunction with their ICT partner TDA decided that a thin computing infrastructure would be the best solution to their needs. As well as offering significant cost savings on hardware and software, this solution also delivered a number of other significant benefits, including:
· Session portability – this enables a pupil to disconnect their device at the end of a lesson, while leaving their session open. Allowing them to quickly reconnect at their next lesson or at home
· Accelerated graphics delivery
· The ability to deliver all applications into a Web browser
This solution was delivered by Pinacl Solutions working in partnership with Cheshire based Novus Networks. The Novus solution was based on award winning Citrix Presentation Server technology and thin client hardware. Citrix Presentation Server makes it easy to give all users across the school, including those based locally and remotely, fast, simple and secure access to all the applications and data they require.
With its centralised management model, Citrix Presentation Server enables the implementation and deployment of applications much more quickly than if they had to be installed and configured on each computer.
The overall solution also included:
- 46 HP Blade servers
- HP Storage Area Network (SAN)
- Automated tape backup library
Flexible solution
It was decided that the first stage of the project would be the installation of a pilot in one classroom in each of the 3 existing schools. This involved implementing Presentation Server on thin clients within the classroom and proved to be very successful.
The next phase will see Novus implement the entire ICT infrastructure across the new academy buildings. This will involve the installation of the 46 blade servers, 24 of which will be dedicated as a Citrix server farm. The remainder will deliver the academy’s other IT requirements such as: Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SharePoint (for the VLE), MIS server and the CMIS school administration system.
One particular problem that Novus helped to solve was with regard to Apple Macs. The academy wanted to use a number of these devices for certain lessons. Normally, this would have meant them being unavailable for wider use on the ICT network. But Novus have been able to integrate them into the thin client infrastructure and allow them to receive Citrix deployed applications via a Web browser.
This will enable the academy to maximise the return on what is normally a very specialised and costly investment.
|
