1. Q: What benefits are offered by ISONet and why should I join?
A: ISONet is a managed Wide Area Network which offers enhanced security and provides access to services such as:
• Aggregated pricing for data services
• Spam filtering
• URL filtering
• Virus protection
• 24 X 7 network and router management
without compromising the flexibility required to meet the unique needs of your school. Copies of the ISONet information folder were sent to schools in November 2004. Each school’s information pack contained a list of data lines and prices specific to each location from the four carriers.
Similar and more up to date information (excluding the availability of each schools data line) can be found on the website at http://www.isonet.edu.au.
Additional copies of the information and the list of data lines and prices for you school can be obtained by contacting enquiries@isonet.edu.au.
back to top
2. Q: What services will I need and what existing services will I retain?
A: ISONet provides a managed service right down to the router at your school. The service has been designed to provide your school with considerable flexibility and choice. As a result there are a number of core and optional services. Core services are necessary to maintain the integrity of the network for all participants. As some schools currently provide their own hosting services and may wish to continue with this, hosting services are offered as optional.
Core services include:
• Firewall(s)
• Content caching
• Virus protection
SPAM filtering
• Web content and URL filtering
• Intrusion protection and monitoring
• Secure access for remote users with the provision of VPN client
To ensure maximum flexibility, ISONet offers a number of optional services.
Optional services include:
• Email hosting
• Internet web hosting
• Intranet web hosting
• Online off site backup
back to top
3. Q: What cost savings can my school achieve and what technology and teaching resources can I free for other activities?
A: This is difficult to estimate for each school as it will depend on the size of the school and the adoption of technology e.g. coverage of the local area network, services such as staff and student email, online content and data storage for students as well as the type, capacity and cost of your current Internet link and Internet download charge, if any. The estimate is best determined by your technology support staff. As part of this process do not forget to include the amount of teacher release or time spent by teachers supporting your technology infrastructure.
While the total time saved may not generate real savings (realisable) it does present an opportunity to redirected staff to achieve other education outcomes.
To assist you in quantifying the likely benefits a Cost Estimate Worksheet has been provided in your information pack.
back to top
4. Q: What new administration will I require and who will make the best Network Administrator?
A: The identification of the Network Administrator will depend on the size of the school and the current technology staffing and skills level. In a large school with a separate IT support group a senior technologist may provide the high level contact but nominate one of the IT support or help desk staff to log calls with ISONet Enquiries, collect and provide fault information and when necessary assist in fault rectification. In these schools a senior technology specialist with knowledge of the school LAN should be nominated for second level support, for those cases where their technical knowledge is required.
In schools that rely on teacher release or part time administrative staff for technology support, these people would be the logical support for the network administrator.
In small schools and schools that do not have any technology support someone who is usually contactable should be the point of contact for all communications between the school and ISONet.
A school that plans to use ISONet to expand the use of technology services in their school, especially those services that will result in the issue of student accounts (e.g. email or remote access), may need to identify an additional person, possibly with clerical experience, for management and updating of the account details.
back to top
5. Q: What do I need to consider before joining ISONet?
A: You need to consider the current services used in your school, determine those that will be replaced by ISONet, and consider the optional services that are available that you may adopt or use to replace your current services.
This is also an opportunity for you to review the performance of your Internet link. Does the link have sufficient capacity or performance to meet the demands made by your current users? Are there other education initiatives you want to introduce but are currently restricted in providing due to line capacity? Do you want to provide remote access for staff or students? Is your school’s bandwidth consumed by unauthorised peer-to-peer networks or inappropriate chat services?
What software licences, annual maintenance and planned expenditures do you currently have, or will need that will be supplied by ISONet? These represent a direct saving.
What current computer hardware will be replaced by ISONet (so that you no longer need to replace or upgrade hardware)? By reconfiguring any freed-up hardware it will be available for other use in the school.
As part of any review you should consider the reliability, effectiveness and cost of each component, especially security. Are you using a reliable firewall? Are your virus and spam filters updated daily to deliver enhanced protection? Are you confident you have adequate security on who can remotely access your school? Are you able to and do you continuously monitor your security threats?
Have you regularly audited the operation and security of technology used by your staff and students? Can you report that your school is protected by high security and you can adequately monitor the activity of all your students on the Internet? Do you keep sufficient information in accessible log files to support any investigation of inappropriate activity or security breaches?
What ISONet services will be immediately available that the school can take advantage of?
What optional services should the school consider now or in the future?
back to top
6. Q: What do I need to consider when sizing a link for my School?
A: To size a data line for your school you need to determine how well the current link performs. You need to know the current link utilisation. If the response time for Internet downloads is extremely variable it is a good indication that your link is grossly under capacity and may need to be upgraded, or you are using ADSL or SHDSL link with high contention ratios where you are competing with a number of other users for the limited bandwidth.
If your link is saturated you need to make allowance for the pent-up demand of users within your school. Experience in many schools has shown that a considerable improvement in Internet performance has resulted in a sudden increase in usage. Teachers report that a responsive Internet can significantly change the way students work and learn, class activities are delivered and library research is conducted.
Factor in for growth in usage and new education uses. When selecting a particular type of data line check that its capacity can be increased at nil or minimum set up cost and the router you need today can support this upgrade.
back to top
7. Q: What is the difference between the different types of data lines being offered?
A: There are basically two different types of data lines:
Data lines that provide the school access to the total bandwidth (capacity) of the link, these include Ethernet (fibre or copper tails), Frame Relay, Microwave and ISDN. These are usually more expensive but will offer a defined capacity (bandwidth) supported by tangible service levels.
The other type of service is known as DSL where a school shares the line with a number of other users, with each user competing for their share of the total bandwidth. This sharing is dynamic with your actual percentage of the link capacity, at any instance, dependant on the number of other users competing for the total capacity. Therefore, during prime time your share of the link can be very small and after hours may be a significant proportion. Generally the carriers offer no guarantee of service and only a very small minimum capacity. The number of users with access to these links is set by the carrier, it is known as contention ratio. It is the number of times the link has been oversubscribed e.g. a contention ratio of 20:1 means 20 organisation each with their entire users sharing the link. Contention ratios of up 200:1 are possible. Obviously the lower the cost of the link the higher the likely contention ratio and the poorer the link performance over longer periods. As part of this project we have requested Carriers to provide their contention ratios and have only offered services with low contention ratios to give you [improved] performance.
There are two types of DSL services; they are ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) that has different capacity (speed) for data coming into and going out of the school from 64Kbps to 9Mbps. The other service SHDSL (Symmetric High-Bitrate Digital Subscriber Line) has the same speed into and out of the school. These services are best suited for Internet and other non critical data services, they are generally not suitable for use in relation to application packages, video, IP telephones, or other applications requiring reliable, real time response.
Selection of an appropriate DSL or SHDSL service is not easy. It is recommended that you contact ISONet Enquiries for advice. Remember that you generally “only get what you pay for” - this especially applies with DSL services where service quality will depend on the Carrier’s strategy and the contention on the specific link. Just because one school is getting a reasonable service from DSL in one location is no guarantee that you will get the service from a similar link, especially if you use a different local telephone exchange.
back to top
8. Q: How do I compare the cost and value for money of each data line?
A: As you can see in the above description of the different types of data services it is not easy to compare the cost of data lines. Do not forget to factor in the benefits of DSL (ADSL or SHDSL) services with lower contention ratios.
As a guide for a school that is small, a slow or late adopter or uses non critical applications a DSL service is likely to be a good starting point. It is recommended that you select a service with the lowest contention ratio you can afford, but which allows you to easily expand the capacity by increasing the bandwidth or reducing the contention ratio.
For large schools or heavy users of technology for email communication within the community and for after school remote access by staff and students, the more reliable dedicated Ethernet service is recommended. Similarly, it is recommended that you select a carrier that provides a clear upgrade path to increased bandwidth.
We have selected a small range of routers to support all the data line types and bandwidths provided. Schools that find they need to change their data service especially to another type (e.g. ADSL to Ethernet) may be required to replace their router, or a card in their existing router. This is another reason to consider from the start your likely upgrade path.
The selection of the best link for a school from those that are available is difficult. The AIS ISONet Enquiries and technical support staff are able to assist you in that decision or provide advice to help you.
back to top
9. Q: Who do I contact for additional information? Who will answer my questions?
A: Support is provided to schools in two phases, the initial period while schools decide on the benefits and action required to connect to ISONet and the second phase for actual installation and routine use of ISONet.
Support during the initial period will be provided by the AIS ISONet Enquiries team. The AIS can provide advice to assist you in the selection of the most appropriate link, the need to upgrade or replace the existing router, all costs, etc. Support will be provided by AIS staff until the school submits the ISONet Registration Form. To contact the AIS ISONet Enquiries email enquiries@isonet.edu.au or phone (02) 9299-2845
Once the school has registered with ISONet the internal ISONet Help Desk staffed by the Network Manager, Earthwave will contact the school seeking information necessary for installation. They will guide the school through the installation process; including installation and testing of the carrier’s data line and access to ISONet services.
The ISONet Help Desk contact details will be provided when they first contact the school. The ISONet Help Desk will provide the ongoing daily and operational support to participating schools.
back to top
10. Q: Which companies are contracted to provide the ISONet services?
A: The AIS, through an extensive search of the market place and two tenders has selected the following suppliers to provide ISONet services:
• Earthwave for management of the network and provision of services
• Uecomm as a preferred carrier for the provision of data lines to connect schools to ISONet and as the provider of the duel Internet links to the network core.
• SPTel as a preferred carrier for the provision of data lines to connect schools to ISONet.
• Powertel as a preferred carrier for the provision of data lines to connect schools to ISONet
• Negotiations are continuing with Telstra as a potential carrier to provide data lines.
No other company is directly involved in the provision of services to ISONet and there are no plans to include any other suppliers.
back to top
11. Q: The school has been contacted by an IT Company/ISP/Carrier offering to connect the school to ISONet and advising that they have a network pairing, sharing of services, or some other relationship with ISONet. How should the school respond to the offer?
A: In establishing ISONet, the AIS has used a tender process to select suppliers: Earthwave for the management of the network and PowerTel, SPT and Uecomm as the only telecommunication companies able to connect schools to ISONet. No other company may connect to ISONet, or share any services.
Schools that do not have a dedicated connection to ISONet through one of the preferred carriers cannot use any VPN or other means of accessing ISONet services.
If a school is approached by a company professing some relationship, or ability to share services with ISONet it is recommended that schools contact the AIS ISONet Enquiries to seek clarification before committing to any contract with the company.
back to top
12. Q: The school has been contacted by an IT company/ISP/Carrier offering the same services as those provided by ISONet, what should the school do?
A: The AIS spent considerable time evaluating the market place and the needs of schools, before committing to the development of ISONet. To date this process has taken 18 months.
Other IT Companies/ISPs/Carriers may claim to offer similar, secure network services. These claims should be carefully examined and compared with the ISONet services as there may be differences in the range of services and the way they are packaged or delivered to the school.
It is recommended that you contact the AIS ISONet Enquiries before committing to any agreement.
back to top
13. Q: What actions do I take when I am ready to connect to ISONet and how does it happen?
A: The following steps will occur:
• Select the Carrier and data line service that best meets your needs.
• Contact the AIS and complete your application form.
• AIS and Earthwave staff will contact you to discuss your application and collect technical information about your site including suitability of your existing router, your IP addressing structure and the services you plan to run across the network and will require from ISONet.
• Earthwave will also seek information on the external services your school will retain (e.g. email, web servers), use of public IP addressing and other related information.
• Earthwave staff will advise and assist in the purchase of a router or upgrade of the existing router (if required) to provide local firewall and encryption and configure the router. If the existing router is to be used it will need to be sent to Earthwave to be re-configured before its connection to ISONet.
• The router will be delivered to the school awaiting the installation of the new data line by the carrier. Earthwave can, on your behalf, liaise with the Carrier on any technical matters associated with the connection. Earthwave will advise the school how to connect the router and carry out an acceptance test of your data line. A range of routers is available on www.isonet.edu.au. Router prices can be obtained by emailing pre-sales@isonet.edu.au or pre-sales@earthwave.com.au , or by calling Earthwave pre-sales support on 02 8875 7966, requesting to speak to someone in pre-sales. Your selected carrier will be advised, if you have not already made contact. The carrier will require you to complete their standard order form. Before signing the order form obtain and read a copy of the Carrier’s Agreement as the conditions contained in this document must be accepted by the school at the time of placing the order. A copy of the AIS ISONet and Carrier Agreements can be obtained by contacting the AIS ISONet Enquiries or emailing, enquiries@isonet.edu.au.
• On receipt of the order the Carrier will then initiate a site survey to assess the local telecommunication infrastructure in the vicinity of your school and local telephone exchange to determine their ability to deliver the service you selected. In some rural areas there is a possibility that local conditions prevent the delivery of the selected service. Should this occur then the schools should have a second choice with the carrier or an alternate carrier. In making this decision remember most carriers use Telstra copper tails for the ‘last mile’ from the local exchange to the school and this is usually the problem link. If you require assistance contact the ISONet Help Desk for advice.
back to top
14. Q: What will happen with my current IP addresses?
A: An IP is a unique worldwide number used on the Internet to direct messages. Internal network devices typically have private non-Internet routable IP addresses, while network devices that need to be “seen” by the Internet have a public IP address, these can include Internet web services, email services, Citrix, remote access etc. Therefore, a school can have a number of devices with public IP addresses; any device with a private IP address (e.g. a PC) that needs to be accessed from the Internet will need to have its address translated at the school Internet gateway before being sent onto the Internet.
• It is anticipated that all schools joining ISONet will be issued new public IP addresses by ISONet. In the case of a school owning their IP addresses efforts will be made to accommodate their needs. The DNS server will be managed by the AIS and Earthwave.
• The network staff will work with the school’s current ISP during the transfer of the Internet services.
• The use of the current internal or private IP addresses used within the school will remain unchanged with these IP addresses translated at the school router. Only public or externally accessed or referenced IP addresses will require changing.
back to top
15. Q: What differences are there between the offerings of the four carriers?
A: Data lines available for interconnection to ISONet are from the following carriers:
• Uecomm or Optus
• SPTel or Comindico
• PowerTel or Request
• Telstra (cannot be used until Agreement finalised)
Each of the carriers runs a different Wide Area Network ranging from MPLS and ATM, Frame Relay, Layer 2 Ethernet and others. Schools should discuss with Carriers the benefits of their networks, or seek advice form the AIS, before making a decision purely based on price.
The information provided to each school in the ISONet Information Folder contained the availability and costs of data lines for the school. This information will be updated each year, with the latest information available from the AIS ISONet Enquiries.
Through the tender process detailed information was obtained for each carrier to allow you to easily compare the services offered. Effort was placed on obtaining information of contention ratios for xDSL services. These contention ratios are the maximum or upper limit set by the carriers but the actual contention ratio of your specific link will vary around some unknown contention ratio, below the maximum.
As part of the negotiation of each Carrier’s Agreement effort was placed on standardising the four Agreements. While certain success was achieved, the Agreements while being similar, are not identical. If there is any doubt, concerns or questions in relation to the Agreements the school should contact the AIS for further information about the Agreement or seek independent advice.
If you are in the position to select a suitable data line service from a number of carriers it is recommend you review each carrier’s agreement to select the one you consider to be most favourable. It is suggested that you in particular question the network type and quality, network utilisation (contention ratio for xDSL services), service levels, fault management and service rebates, contract termination conditions and penalties.
A: An important requirement since the start of the ISONet initiative has been the desire to provide a flexible and more secure learning environment for schools. We believe we have achieved this through the selection of Earthwave as the Network Manager. They are recognised by the industry as network security specialists. For further information refer to their web site www.earthwave.com.au.
On behalf of schools the AIS has conducted a very detailed review of each carrier’s Agreement. We have also drafted a Master Agreement between the AIS and each Carrier. Significant effort was placed on gaining favourable terms and conditions for schools and trying to standardise the Agreement from each carrier.
For those carriers that did not have defined performance targets, the review included the introduction of service levels and penalties for the majority of services. Please contact the AIS ISONet Enquiries for further details Certain protection has also been obtained in the event that ISONet should cease to operate in relation to the right to convert a school's link to a link to the Internet. Please contact the AIS ISONet Enquiries for further details.
back to top
16. Q: What should I do if my school has been approached by one of the preferred carriers?
A: The preferred ISONet carriers are currently SPTel, PowerTel and Uecomm. We have also been in discussions with Telstra but no agreements are in place. When the school is ready to connect to ISONet the school can directly approach the carrier providing the data line of choice or contact the AIS for an update on availability of data lines for the school, or for general assistance. Once contacted, should the school wish to proceed it is recommended that the carrier’s offer is checked against those contained in the ISONet Information Sheet or confirmed by the AIS. NOTE: The signing of any carriers order form is a commitment by the school to a two year contract for the data line service selected. The School will be required to sign an Agreement with the AIS to participate in ISONet. The agreement has been prepared and reviewed by lawyers retained by the AIS. It is recommended that the school review and be prepared to sign the ISONet Agreement before placing any order for data line services with your selected carrier. Copies of the ISONet and carrier agreements can be obtained by contacting the AIS ISONet Enquiries or emailing enquiries@isonet.edu.au
back to top