Newark, NJ, February 22, 2022 – A longtime Edge member, Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), recently upgraded their connection to the Edge optical fiber network, EdgeNet, from 2x 10 Gbps to 2x 100 Gbps—making them the first institution in New Jersey to connect to EdgeNet at this advanced speed.
With a greater number of students looking to connect multiple devices and video streaming and gaming systems to the network, FDU set out to refresh their technology and create a proactive strategy that would help address future needs. “We wanted to enable our students and staff to use technology, collaborate with other universities, and utilize other external services at higher data rates,” explains Michael Reekie, Director of Networking, FDU. “We also wished to alleviate any of the bottlenecks in our current environment that could potentially slow down the user experience. Along with updating our core, we also upgraded our wireless and Internet edge to meet the upcoming demands of the new wireless capabilities.”
FDU explored different solutions to help manage traffic, including traffic shapers that are installed at the Internet edge. However, as bandwidth increases, the cost and maintenance of these devices can be expensive. “We found that increasing our bandwidth and installing faster Internet edge routers and firewalls would be a more cost-effective investment and could provide a better user experience for our students and faculty,” says Reekie. “Making the jump from 2x 10 Gbps to 2x 100 Gbps will help us meet our bandwidth requirements over the next several years and with Edge as an existing partner, it was a very easy transition to upgrade our existing connections, while still allowing a highly available networking experience. Edge was able to provide bandwidth to us at a better cost and value than installing technologies that would shape the use of Internet traffic.”
Bruce Tyrrell, Associate Vice President Programs & Services, Edge says many institutions across the state are looking to increase their bandwidth capacity to better meet student and staff needs and create an optimal user experience on and off campus. “Not only are student requirements evolving, but the pandemic-related hybrid learning environment has also created a significant demand for internet services. Managing bandwidth demand is becoming increasingly important for institutions and will be a key element of technology strategies going forward.”
Throughout every student’s journey, technology will play an essential role in their learning and living experience. With this in mind, Neal Sturm, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, FDU, says the University will continue to look toward the future of network connectivity and ensuring that students and faculty have the resources they need to succeed. “We are committed to providing a superior level of network accessibility and connectivity at FDU and this recent upgrade has not only created a more cost-efficient operating model, but will also help enhance the educational experience and better accommodate incoming students as the University continues to grow in the coming years.”
To learn more about how the high-performance network, EdgeNet, can provide an exceptional network connectivity experience at your institution, visit https://njedge.net/solutions-overview/network-connectivity-and-internet2/.
About Edge:
Founded in 2000, Edge, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, serves as a purpose-built research and education wide area network and technology solutions partner. Edge connects members with affordable, easy access to high-performance optical networking, commodity Internet and Internet2 services, and a variety of technology-powered products, solutions, and services. The Edge member consortium consists of colleges and universities, K-12 schools and districts, government entities, healthcare networks, and businesses spread throughout the continental US. The group is governed by the New Jersey Presidents’ Council with offices in Newark, Princeton, and Wall Township, NJ. For more information, please visit: www.njedge.net.
Media Contact:
Adam Scarzafava
AVP for Marketing and Communications, Edge
855-832-3343
adam.scarzafava@njedge.net
