Advanced Network Service to better serve students, faculty and staff.

BCNET recently connected three more schools to its ultra-high-speed Advanced Network - Capilano University (CapU), Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) and Vancouver Community College (VCC). The new infrastructure enables campus faculty, students and staff to transfer data among its diverse campus locations and connect with research and higher education institutions provincially, nationally and internationally.

The province-wide Advanced Network interconnects many public, post-secondary institutions in the province. It serves as a powerful platform to effectively share IT services such as off-site data processing, virtual data centre services, cloud video conferencing and cloud computing. Equitable access to the network ensures that all institutions can provide leading-edge technology services to better serve faculty, students and staff. Ultimately, enhancing their teaching and learning experience.

Capilano University upgrades two campus sites

Capilano University worked with BCNET to define, plan and implement the new network at their North Vancouver and Sechelt campus sites. The main campus is connected at speeds of one gigabit per second. "Capilano University is excited about the opportunities the Advanced Network has opened up for us," say Stephen O'Connor, CIO at CapU. "For access to EduCloud Server, cloud video conferencing and content peering, the network provides a stable platform to deliver these and other IT services our university and students need."

Kwantlen Polytechnic connects all four campuses

KPU partnered with BCNET to complete the first and second phase of a two-year project to build high-speed network infrastructure at its Cloverdale, Surrey, Langley and Richmond campuses. The Kwantlen Surrey campus has a full production status 10 gigabits per second network.

KPU recognizes that having access to next-generation IT services is critical to achieving its strategic goals. "Building powerful campus connections supports KPU's Vision 2018, a plan that calls for enhanced organization and infrastructure to support the university in achieving our strategic goals of annual enrolment growth, expansion of continuing and professional studies, and improving learner engagement and retention," says Maggie Fung, CIO at KPU.

Vancouver Community College upgrades both campus sites at speeds of 10 gigabits per second

Vancouver Community College linked its Downtown and Broadway campus locations with new fibre optic infrastructure at speeds of 10 gigabits per second. "Our newly designed ultra-fast-network delivers the flexibility, reliability and scalability to support enhanced learning experiences for students," says Jag Madan, CIO at VCC.