BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND, June 8, 2011 – Cisco today announced that the University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz, known as UTP, has completed the modernization of its campus and research networks based on the Cisco® Borderless Network architecture. With the new, IPv6-enabled infrastructure, UTP is leveraging the value of the network for education and research and provides highly secure wired and wireless Internet access for more than 9,000 students and 1,000 employees.

Key Facts / Highlights

• As a result of the implementation, network speed has increased significantly to 8 gigabits per second. Seventy-five Cisco wireless access points provide access across the campus, including all classrooms and the university library.
• The backbone of the Cisco Borderless Network Architecture at UTP is based on two Cisco ASR 9010 Routers and two Cisco 7609 Routers. The Cisco ASR 9010 Routers enable the exchange of traffic with PIONIER, a nationwide optical broadband network dedicated to research and development in the area of information technology and telecommunications. Cisco Catalyst® Series 6500, 4500 and 3560E edge switches connect the end users.
• Due to the high number of users connecting to the network, security has been a key aspect of the network modernization. Highly secure connectivity is enabled by the Cisco ASA 5580 firewall and the Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System. Part of Cisco’s security management suite, Cisco Security MARS is an appliance-based, all-inclusive solution that helps identify, manage and counter security threats. It helps ensure the safety of both devices connecting to the network as well as applications.
• The security solutions are completed by the Cisco Security Manager, Cisco Secure Access Control Server and Cisco Network Access Control. Remote access to internal resources via the Internet is enabled by an encrypted virtual private network tunnel. Further protection is offered by the Cisco IronPort^TM C-Series and S-Series devices that encrypt email, filter spam, protect against viruses and data loss, and detect threats.
• In addition to the campus infrastructure, UTP renewed its network dedicated to science research. Enabled by the research network, the university’s research team is working on projects related to sensory networks and location-based services. A significant increase in network throughput allows cameras to transmit laboratory observations and measurements so that research can be shared in real time with other institutions in the framework of e-labs being created by the university.
• The IPv6-enabled network is playing a key role in the the university’s scientific projects related to Geographical Information System (GIS) maps, as well as telemetric devices. For the GIS project, increasing the pool of IP addresses means that electronic devices, such as fire detectors, alarm systems and seismic sensors can be connected and act as remote GIS data sources. Additionally, the flexible IPv6 address format makes it possible to match the IP address of mobile phones or car navigation systems equipped with a GPS system with their actual location, which can be transmitted along with the network address.
• The design and implementation was carried out by Solidex, a Cisco Gold Certified Partner in Poland. The project was co-financed by the European Union under the Innovative Economy Operational Programme.

Supporting Quotes:

• • Tomasz Marciniak, IT project coordinator, University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz

“Our legacy network consisted of equipment from different suppliers, which could not be centrally managed. Managing and controlling the comprehensive campus infrastructure, including the location of faults, was complex and time-consuming. Our newly implemented network infrastructure is fully manageable, and we have the ability to centrally monitor all traffic and equipment in the network. I am also particularly proud that the university’s infrastructure was upgraded to allow users to work with IPv6.”

• • Piotr Skirski, regional sales manager, Public Sector, Cisco Poland

“The fact that the entire infrastructure on the University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz is IPv6-enabled is a major step forward in the introduction of this standard in Poland. Very soon, the free pool of IPv4 addresses will run dry, and IPv6 is the only long-term solution the industry has available to continue growth in the manner that the world has come to expect. The introduction of IPv6 is essential for the growth of Internet and especially for the academic community to be able to lead in innovative research and to support education.”

Tags, Keywords:

UTP, Bydgoszcz, Poland, Cisco, Borderless Network, IPv6

Supporting resources:

• Cisco website
• World IPv6 Day Will Test the Readiness for Change
• Cisco IPv6 website