Networking & Wireless
Elmhurst College Adopts Bandwidth Optimization Platform
Elmhurst College in Illinois has implemented a bandwidth optimization platform to help
ensure an equitable distribution of network bandwidth during peak usage
periods and to prevent individuals from dominating network resources.
Just
like most other college campuses, the number of networked devices at
Elmhurst College has increased significantly over the last few years,
especially in the dorms. Students are bringing desktop and laptop
computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles and other
Internet-connected devices with them. In the evening, when the majority
of students are online doing schoolwork, socializing, gaming and
streaming videos or music, the demand for bandwidth peaks. At Elmhurst
College, a few students were dominating the available bandwidth at the
expense of everyone else.
"Students are streaming, gaming and
upgrading operating systems, all while trying to access their
Blackboard LMS platform. We couldn't turn them off, because they are
doing it all simultaneously," said Dean Jensen, director of
Infrastructure and Web Applications at the college, in a news release.
"And to add to the complexity, most of the data is encrypted traffic,
which makes it nearly impossible to shape or limit by application."
The
college is planning to upgrade its network in the fall. In preparation
for that upgrade, the Information Services team wanted to optimize its
network resources, control costs and ensure quality of service. "We
needed a solution that did not require heavy configuration or ongoing
maintenance, and could adapt to changing user demands on the fly,"
added Jensen.
The college selected a dynamic bandwidth management system from CirrusWorks.
According to information from the company, "dynamically assesses and
allocates bandwidth among multiple competing users on a network in real
time, without static rule sets, complicated prioritization schemes or
intrusive deep packet inspection (DPI)."
"It tames the hogs, so
everyone gets a fair share of bandwidth during peak periods," said
Jensen, "and it complements our existing stack of network monitoring
and content management platforms."
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].
