University of Campania: Fast Network for the Future of Digital Education

Founded in 1991, the University of Campania is in south-west Italy with several campuses between Naples and Caserta. Around 24,000 students there enjoy excellent learning conditions in numerous disciplines such as architecture, engineering, law, medicine, humanities and economics. The university is also networked worldwide through intensive contacts with research centers. In recent years in particular, the number of learning centers and medical laboratories at the University of Campania has increased. At the same time, the number of students, teaching staff and academics has also risen continuously. In order to be able to research, teach and learn more efficiently, the university provides its users with various digital applications and services, such as e-learning platforms and virtual simulations.

Challenge

Hybrid learning formats, virtual reality or artificial intelligence: high bandwidths, low latencies and fast data transfers are required to ensure optimal user experiences in the course of digitalization. Only robust internet connections make it possible to transmit online lectures smoothly or use VR and AR simulations in laboratories. Science and teaching also require fast data transfers to be able to analyze large amounts of information and conduct research efficiently. The university also uses collaborative online tools that require reliable network connections so that users can work together effectively and share information in real time. The university's network infrastructure, which was more than 15 years old, could no longer fulfil all these requirements. Instead, data could only be transferred slowly. In addition, there was a lack of comprehensive internet access on campus at all locations.

Solution

Higher bandwidth, less latency, more security: in order to achieve its digitalization goals, the University of Campania wanted to fundamentally modernize its network infrastructure. In addition to better performance, the focus was on seamless Wi-Fi coverage and the reliability of the new infrastructure. The university's IT team also needed to be able to easily control, manage and comprehensively secure the entire network infrastructure. State-of-the-art technologies and components should be used that enable both efficient collaboration and futureproofing. The aim was not only to network all locations with each other, but also to improve the connection to international research and scientific institutions.

Those responsible at the university decided in favour of using Huawei Cloud Campus Network Switches and Huawei AirEngine Access Points as the central network components. The installation was carried out by Italian IT service provider and Huawei partner N&C System Integrator. The first phase involved the new cabling, the replacement of network devices with 24- and 48-port switches and the deployment of the AirEngine access points. For all scenarios in the WLAN project, the service provider used two models of AirEngine Wi-Fi 6 devices: 5761-11 for indoor and 5761R-11E for outdoor installations. N&C also implemented Huawei iMaster NCE Campus, a next-generation self-controlled network management and control system.

‘We modernized the infrastructure, which was over 15 years old. With Huawei's solutions, we were able to provide reliable network connections, higher performance and comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage.’

Lino Franchino, N&C System Integrator

Benefits

Since the start of the project, network coverage on campus has improved significantly at all sites. Thanks to Huawei's AirEngine access points, Wi-Fi network coverage has increased by 20 per cent and channel interference or dead spots are now a thing of the past. Thanks to higher bandwidth, students can take part in video lectures and share or download large files without disruptive dropouts. In addition, data exchange with international research institutions is now much faster.

But it's not just science that benefits from the new network. Work steps have also been simplified and accelerated for the university's IT team. Huawei iMaster NCE Campus makes it possible to virtualize the entire network and install a Software Defined Network (SDN). This means that new requirements - such as connecting new rooms to the WLAN network - can be easily implemented. This in turn reduces operating costs. The Huawei solution also enables uncomplicated control of network authorizations so that new users can be added quickly and managed efficiently. Finally, the Network Access Control (NAC) function can also be used to increase access control and cyber security. Overall, the network infrastructure can be flexibly scaled and adapted to an increasing number of users without compromising performance.

About the University of Campania

Founded in 1991, the state university has its headquarters in Caserta in south-west Italy. Almost 24,000 students are currently studying there and at eight other locations, including Capua and Naples. The university bears the nickname ‘Luigi Vanviteli’, named after an Italian architect from the 18th century. The university offers a polytechnic and medical school as well as other faculties such as humanities, politics, law and economics or architecture and industrial design.