DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING-WIDE INSTRUCTIONAL COMPUTER NETWORKS INSTALLED IN ALL SCHOOLS, 1995-present

I. Elementary and Middle School Networks

Each Elementary and Middle School in Rockingham County has a building-wide instructional computer network (LAN) with the following characteristics and components:

• Category 5, UTP wiring in a star configuration to each classroom, lab, library, and office.
• Network supports ethernet (10/100 BASE T) access.
• Network supports various protocols (Appletalk and TCP/IP).
• The network includes a Macintosh fileserver for storing using documents and another Macintosh fileserver for authentication purposes (Workgroup Manager). Each school also has a Windows 2003 file server for Windows users and a Linux server on which proxy services are run.
• The network has a backup system with software to provide for unattended backups during after-school hours.
• Each classroom computer has a minimum of the following:
  • Access to the library's circulation via the web
  • Access to the Internet supported by content-filtering software and a school-based proxy server
  • Access to a variety of printers on the network
  • Access to district and school licensed instructional software stored on both the file server and local hard drive
  • Access to personal productivity software such as Microsoft Office and/or AppleWorks
  • Access to all services via a menuing program which makes access easy and provides network security
  • Electronic mail capabilities to other teachers, administrators, and office staff using First Class software. This also provides internet e-mail to users.
  • The ability to access PowerSchool student information system through the web.

II. High School Networks

Each High School in Rockingham County has a building-wide instructional computer network (LAN) with the following characteristics and components:

• Category 5, UTP wiring in a star configuration to each classroom, lab, library, and office.
• Network supports ethernet (10/100 BASE T) access.
• Network supports various protocols (Appletalk and TCP/IP).
• The network includes a Macintosh fileserver for storing using documents and another Macintosh fileserver for authentication purposes (Workgroup Manager). Each school also has a Windows 2003 file server for Windows users and a Linux server on which proxy services are run.
• The network has a backup system with software to provide for unattended backups during after-school hours.
• Each classroom computer has a minimum of the following:
• Access to the library's circulation via the web
• Access to the Internet supported by content-filtering software and a school-based proxy server
• Access to a variety of printers on the network
• Access to district and school licensed instructional software stored on both the file server and local hard drive
• Access to personal productivity software such as Microsoft Office
• Access to all services via a menuing program which makes access easy and provides network security
• Electronic mail capabilities to other teachers, administrators, and office staff using First Class software. This also provides internet e-mail to users.
• The ability to access PowerSchool student information system through the web.