Case Studies

Challenges and solutions: real examples of technical issues and how MCW addressed them. Our case studies are split into the following:

• Upgrading and managing a very large internal network and ensuring the availability of sufficient bandwidth

• Providing wireless Internet access where there is no structured cable

• Controlling peer-to-peer and virus traffic across the internal network

• Stopping the spread of viruses on individual users' laptops

• More case studies - student accommodation

Upgrading and managing a very large internal network and ensuring the availability of sufficient bandwidth

Storthes Hall, Huddersfield

• Owned and managed by Ubrique Investments Limited

The challenge

Storthes Hall is a very large site with 1,500 student rooms located in several buildings. Students have the option to rent a Premium Room, which has a 512k broadband connection as standard. Other rooms offer students the option to subscribe for Internet services up to 1 Mbt. MCW faced the challenge of upgrading and managing the very large internal network and ensuring the availability of sufficient bandwidth for 1,500 students. Cat 5 cable was already installed.

The solution

MCW installed a Core Ethernet switch and created Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) to separate the apartment blocks. A packet shaper was installed to control peer-to-peer traffic. BT provided the analogue lines, which were converted to ADSL. To ensure resilience, there are several ADSL lines from various ISPs, providing 80 Mbt bandwidth. MCW provides and manages the Internet access and an optional Internet gaming service. New in two buildings for December 2006 is the facility for IP TV (Internet Protocol TV) with over 30 UK Freeview channels, which will be phased into all rooms over the next 12 months. A large plasma screen is installed in the reception for Internet announcements and information. This is updated daily by MCW remotely.

Providing wireless Internet access where there is no structured cable

Ashenhurst, Kirkburton

• Owned and managed by Ubrique Investments Limited

The challenge

The accommodation at Ashenhurst comprises 300 rooms spread across several blocks. No structured cable (Category 5e/6) is installed and there is no cable connection between the buildings.

The solution

MCW's approach was to provide and manage a wireless Internet service to the students on an online subscription basis. MCW first had to connect the buildings with wireless bridges to provide a 54 Mbt link between the buildings. Then MCW installed wireless access points throughout the accommodation to supply the Internet network coverage. BT's analogue lines were converted to ADSL to provide bandwidth shared across the internal and external wireless network.

Bramall Court , Sheffield

• Built by Bournston, owned by Oyster Catcher and managed by CRM Limited

The challenge

Bramall Court consists of 262 rooms in several blocks of flats. There is no Cat 6 cable installed.

The solution

MCW decided to install a wireless solution, by connecting the buildings with fibre cable and then installing wireless access points to provide Internet coverage throughout the accommodation.

ADSL lines via BT analogue lines provide 24 Mbt bandwidth to the students. MCW manages the service to the students on an online subscription basis.

Controlling peer-to-peer and virus traffic across the internal network

Brayford Wharf , Lincoln

• Owned by Brayford Quays Management Limited, managed by CRM Limited

The challenge

Brayford Wharf consists of new and refurbished accommodation for students in 338 rooms. Cat 6 cable is installed. The challenge facing MCW was how to manage the internal network to block peer-to-peer traffic and viruses.

The solution

MCW's approach was to use a packet shaper to ensure a clean pipe to the Internet. Internet services and optional IP telephony are available to students via a shared network on an online subscription basis. Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) separate voice and Internet traffic. Several ADSL lines via BT analogue lines provide 26 Mbt bandwidth to the students. New for September 2006 is the facility for Internet gaming.

Stopping the spread of viruses on individual users' laptops

Cotton House, Nottingham

• Built and owned by Watkin Jones, managed by Mainstay

The challenge

Cotton House is a refurbished building which was opened in September 2005, consisting of 256 rooms for students. Cat 6 cable is installed. The challenge to MCW was to prevent the spread of viruses on individual users' laptops .

The solution

MCW addressed this issue by helping students to update their anti-virus software. MCW provides and manages the Internet service and optional IP Telephony for the students via a Cat 6 Ethernet connection, on an online subscription basis. Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) separate voice and Internet traffic. BT provided the analogue lines, which were converted to ADSL. There are several ADSL lines providing 24 Mbt bandwidth.

More case studies - student accommodation

Forster Hall, Bradford

• Built by Watkin Jones, managed by Mainstay

This is a new building consisting of 498 rooms, which was opened in 2006. Cat 6 cable is installed and both the Internet and IP telephony service are provided as standard across a shared network. Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) separate voice and Internet traffic.

BT provided the analogue lines, which were converted to ADSL. There are several ADSL lines providing 64 Mbt bandwidth to students. A dedicated BT/ADSL line is provided for Mainstay's management system.

MCW provides and manages the Internet and IP Telephony service to all students' rooms via a Cat 6 Ethernet connection. This is a pre-paid service included within the room rental cost. Students can upgrade to greater bandwidths on an online subscription basis.

IP TV (Internet Protocol TV) with over 30 UK Freeview channels is available at Forster Hall. A large plasma screen is installed in the reception for Internet announcements and information. This is updated daily by MCW remotely. Online gaming is also available at this location.

Leighton Court, Preston

• Built by Watkin Jones, managed by CRM Limited

Leighton Court is a new building consisting of 298 rooms, opened in September 2005.

Cat 6 cable is installed. Internet and IP telephony services are available on a shared network. Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) separate voice and Internet traffic. BT provided the analogue lines, which were converted to ADSL. There are four ADSL lines providing 18 Mbt bandwidth. MCW also provided a dedicated BT/ADSL line for the Citrix application software used for CRM's management system.

MCW manages the Internet service and optional IP Telephony to students via a Cat 6 Ethernet connection, on an online subscription basis.

New at Leighton Court for September 2006 is the option of IP TV (Internet Protocol TV) with over 30 UK Freeview channels.

Neuadd Willis, Bangor, North Wales

• Built by Watkin Jones, managed by Carlton Management Limited

This is a refurbished building (formerly a British Hotel property) consisting of 198 student rooms.

Cat 6 cable is installed and both the Internet and IP telephony service are provided as standard across a shared network. Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) separate voice and Internet traffic. BT provided the analogue lines, which were converted to ADSL. There are several ADSL lines providing 24 Mbt bandwidth.

MCW manages the Internet and IP Telephony services to all students' rooms via a Cat 6 Ethernet connection. This is a pre-paid service included within the room rental cost. There is also an option to upgrade to greater bandwidths on an online subscription basis.

IP TV (Internet Protocol TV) is available with over 30 UK freeview channels. Online gaming is also available at this location. A large plasma screen is installed in the reception for Internet announcements and information. This is updated daily by MCW remotely.