City University in London has upgraded its data network to support high bandwidth e-learning technologies such as video podcasts of lectures.
The university selected ntl:Telewest Business to replace its WAN with a high speed metro Ethernet VPN network, which connects its main building and central campus at Northampton Square in Clerkenwell to 10 remote sites, including Cass Business School, City Community and Health Sciences and The City Law School.
The network will be used by some 15,000 students and 2,500 staff – and enables applications at the central campus to be accessed from remote sites.
The bandwidth upgrade is part of a five-year strategy by the university to develop its information services and ramp up e-learning opportunities for students.
Technologies being deployed across the network include course management system WebCT (Course Tools), and CitySpace, a virtual learning environment which gives students access to online course materials, resources, interactive activities, and assessment and comms tools.
