Wireless Networks

Croatia connects 1,300 schools with Cisco technology

The Croatian Academic and Research Network has now connected 1,300 schools with the use of Cisco Technology. Its E-Islands project is addressing the Digital Divide between Mainland Croatia and its archipelago...

The Croatian Academic and Research Network (CARNet) has extended its Cisco Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) to connect 1,300 primary and secondary schools across Croatia.

As part of the Connected Schools initiative, the e-Islands project connects schools on Croatian islands with the mainland. This helps teachers give virtual lectures to pupils using video and multimedia equipment, including smart-boards (touch-sensitive whiteboards for displaying computer output) over the IP network.

The new network also enables students and teachers to access services such as e-mail, Internet, videoconferencing, web hosting, online learning tools (including the country’s first online national encyclopedia), applications for content management and portal building, information exchange forums, and the European GÉANT research and education network.

High-speed connections to schools are enabled by Metro Ethernet technology with Cisco 7600 Series Routers and Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches. This platform serves as a foundation for introducing new services such as content delivery, physical security through access control, and video surveillance.

So far, as well as the 1,300 primary and secondary schools, CARNet has equipped 650 school libraries, 700 branch elementary schools, 391 secondary school staff rooms, and 54 high school dormitories in Croatia with computer equipment and Internet access. This includes a room-based video conference system with 34 teleconferencing classrooms in 15 cities.

* CARNet was established in 1991 as a project of the Ministry of Science and Technology. In March 1995 the Government of the Republic of Croatia passed the decree to establish CARNet with the purpose of facilitating the progress of individuals, as well as society as a whole, through the use of new information technologies.

CARNet's activities can be divided into three basic areas: Internet service provision, encouragement of information society development and education for the new era.

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