Enterprise networks are incredibly sophisticated and complex systems. They combine hardware and network software that must be scaled for hundreds or thousands of users on campus. There are three adjectives that describe every network if it is in a school or any other business:
- Reliable—The network must be available whenever it is needed.
- Robust—The network must be available to every user who needs it.
- Secure—The network and the data stored on it must be protected from unauthorized uses.
Ensuring a network is all three necessitates expertise in network architecture. Decisions must be made about the hardware and software and configuration necessary to meet the system requirements for the project. When undertaking a major upgrade or new installation of a network, the school IT professionals will work with educators and school leaders to define the requirements, then work with the vendor who will plan and install it.
An information technology network is much like other technologies as the expertise needed to design and build it is much more specialized and expensive than the expertise needed to manage and operate it once it exists. Consider how an IT system in a school is similar to an automobile. Planning and building each require engineers and designers who have detailed expertise and expensive tools, but they are not needed after the automobile exists. Technicians who keep them operational have lesser (but still considerable) skills and tools. Users can take some minimal steps to keep both operational.
When designing new networks or major upgrades, most technology managers in schools will contract the services of network engineers. Typically, these professionals work for companies that also sell, install, and service the devices included in the engineer’s plans; so, installations and upgrades tend to find schools entering into extended contractual relationships for service and repair work on the infrastructure. While these services are very expensive, after school leaders consider the cost of the devices and the potential liabilities of insecure networks, they recognize the value in this expense.
Network installation and upgrade projects are labor-intensive and may cause interruptions in network availability and usually necessitate technicians to work throughout the building. To minimize the disruptions caused to teaching and learning, network projects can be scheduled during the times when the school is largely empty of students. The vendors whose engineers plan the installations and upgrades will also have large numbers of technicians available, so projects that require many hours of labor can be accomplished in small lengths of time through many workers.
Engineers design and technicians build IT networks. System administrators operate and manage the networks once they are installed. Serious problems are brought to the attention of the engineers who have more complete knowledge of the system to identify a solution, but most functionality can be sustained by individuals who have been properly trained and have adequate resources.