Aarburg School: Future-Proof Digitalization of Network Infrastructure

The starting point

Over 100 teaching staff teach around 930 children at Aarburg School, which covers kindergarten (from age 4) up to year 9 (around age 15). In order to meet digital requirements, all pupils from year 3 and above have their own iPad. A total of around 730 devices are in use every day, including iPads, Apple TVs, MacBooks, printers and phones. On top of this, there are also private devices belonging to students and staff. This infrastructure places high demands on network reliability.

The previous Huawei Wi-Fi 5 installation was no longer able to meet the growing demand for speed and capacity. In light of this, Huawei implemented a Wi-Fi 7 solution in the autumn of 2024, which offers clear performance improvements. At the same time, the firewall infrastructure was renewed to guarantee the highest possible security standards and compliance with data protection requirements.

Requirements

From the point of view of IT manager Heiko Schiltsky, value for money, the reusability of existing components and easy integration were key. The Wi-Fi 7 solution offered crucial advantages:

• Reuse of existing infrastructure: Controllers, switches and licences were retained.

• Extended coverage: More access points have improved network coverage.

• Future-proof solution: Old Wi-Fi 5 access points reaching end-of-life in 2025 were gradually replaced.

• Cost optimisation: Huawei offered the most cost-effective option for Wi-Fi 7.

With regard to the firewall, the decision to opt for Huawei also made economic sense:

• Commitment: Affordable offer for 5 years.

• Enhanced performance: The new firewall is several times faster than the old firewall.

Data protection and security

Data protection is a top priority for Aarburg School. No sensitive data is stored locally; instead, the school uses services such as Microsoft 365 or CMI. The Internet connection is fully encrypted across the school. The Huawei solution also offers state-of-the-art security mechanisms for filtering web pages, protection against viruses and Trojans as well as streamlined device management.

Project and implementation

Huawei installed AirEngine 6776-57T Wi-Fi 7 access points with 6 GHz, which have been optimised for the school's specific requirements:

• Technology:High bandwidth and application quality.

• Backward compatibility: Devices without Wi-Fi 7 support will also remain fully functional.

• Added educational value: The powerful infrastructure enables digital teaching resources to be used in all teaching areas.

The migration was carried out smoothly in cooperation with CANCOM Switzerland AG. In addition, the firewall infrastructure was converted to Huawei technology, resulting in 100% hardware compatibility in the network as well as simplified, efficient administration through a uniform system landscape.

Educational benefits

With the new infrastructure, Aarburg School can better integrate digital teaching tools into its lessons. Teachers and pupils benefit from a stable and fast network environment that encourages creative and interactive use of technology such as iPads and online learning platforms.

Conclusion

Aarburg School is raising the bar for digital education with 100 new access points and a modern firewall infrastructure. The combination of high performance, cost efficiency and future-proofing makes the project a positive example for other schools. The migration to Huawei facilitated seamless integration and provides a solid foundation for years to come.