1. UCM WAN NETWORK UPGRADE PROPOSAL PREPARED BY Wisdom Machacha (IT Coordinator FGTI - Beira)

2. OBJECTIVES Identify the connectivity needs of all UCM campuses. Assessment of the existing connectivity solutions at UCM. Propose connectivity solutions for UCM. Produce a WAN topology design which can support ARIS, UIS, SUGIK and other university wide e-learning initiatives. Specify termination equipment required for all campuses. Propose relevant ICT staff training to support the network. Propose a budget and implementation phases and time frames.

3. WHY UPGRADE? To support: – An increase in staff and students PCs. – The blended FGTI Masters in IT degree – The blended SUGIK, GIS Masters program – Effective UIS (ARIS, Primavera) – Effective communication (mail, web, chats, VoIP) The CED distance education programs will have to go online. The proposed university-wide e-learning initiative.

4. Benefits of E-Learning Convenience and Portability Cost and Selection Flexibility Higher Retention Greater Collaboration Global Opportunities Source: http://www.worldwidelearn.com/elearning- essentials/elearning-benefits.htm

5. CURRENT CONNECTIVITY STATUS Faculty Bandwidth Cost (Mts) Type Reliability Service Provider DownUp FEG2mbps 512kbps5,400.00ADSL (shared) unacceptableTDM FEG Chimoio 128kbps 64kbps 899.00ADSL (shared) unacceptable TDM FEG Tete unacceptable FMed2mbps 512kbps5,400.00ADSL (shared) unacceptable TDM FGTI 1mbps128kbps 19,750.00V-Sat (shared) unacceptable Geolink FEC unacceptable FDir1mbps512kbps15,026.67V-Sat (shared) unacceptable Bentley Walker FAgric 128kbps64kbps 1,500.00ADSL (shared) unacceptable Teledata CED 512kbps256kbps2,564.00ADSL (shared) unacceptable TDM

6. Available Connectivity Options Dial-up acces using TDM voice grade lines, ADSL using TDM telephone lines, Wimax technology provided by Teledata GPRS/EDGE technology used by cellular companies VSAT based satellite communication. Fibre optic connection through TDM network.

7. PROPOSED SOLUTION TDM Fibre optic solution (Jan 2009) – TDM fibre back-borne covers 98% of country – This is the most technically viable solution at the moment. MoRENet (Jan 2010) – This is the future – Wireless links in the cities – Will however still depend on TDM on inter-city links

8. PROJECT PHASES Phase 1 (January 2009) – upgrading the current connection of FMED – A fixed IP, a leased data line and router/firewall will need to be purchased. Phase 2 (February 2009) – Connecting FEG to FMED – Connect CED to the FMED – This will be done through leased data circuits from TDM – Purchase of firewall to install at FMED Phase 3 (August 2009) – Connect the rest of the campuses to the FMED in Beira. – purchase of routers and leased data circuits

9. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST$$$ Cost done for each phase – Equipment costs – Monthly fixed charges

10. Phase 1 Equipment FIXED INITIAL COSTS PHASE 1 (Purchasing Equipment Locally through TDM) FME DDescription of ItemUnit Cost QuantityTotal Cost Cabling3,668.00 1 Router58,154.00 1 Network Module78,084.00 1 Labour18,000.00 1 Consultancy Fees25,000.00 1 Total Cost (MTN) 182,906.00 Total Cost (USD) @24.5 7465.56

11. Phase 1 Bandwidth Costs Ongoing CostsBandwidth CostsCost FMED1Mbps109,850.00 Cost (USD)4,483.67 Cost (USD) /annum53,804.04

12. Phase 2 Equipment FIXED INITIAL COSTS PHASE 2 (Purchasing Equipment Locally through TDM) CEDDescription of ItemUnit Cost QuantityTotal Cost Cabling (Cisco V35 cable male)3,668.00 1 Router (Cisco 1841)34,650.00 1 Interface WIC-1T Serial Card8,804.00 1 Labour18,000.00 1 Consultancy Fees25,000.00 1 Total Cost (MTN) 90,122.00 Total Cost (USD) @24.5 3,678.45 FEGDescription of ItemUnit Cost QuantityTotal Cost Cabling (Cisco V35 cable male)3,668.00 1 Router (Cisco 1841)34,650.00 1 Interface WIC-1T Serial Card8,804.00 1 Labour18,000.00 1 Consultancy Fees25,000.00 1 Total Cost (MTN) 90,122.00 Total Cost (USD) @24.5 3,678.45

13. Phase 2 Bandwidth Ongoing CostsBandwidth CostsCost per month FMED1Mbps109,850.00 CED1Mbps27,500.00 FEG1Mbps27,500.00 Total (MTN)164,850.00 Total (USD)6,728.57 Total (USD) /annum80,742.84

14. Electrical Power Stable and reliable power supply – The servers have to be connected to a UPS – Power cuts interrupt accessibility – Computer and data are sensitive to unreliable power supplies – Standby generators in case of power outages – Failure to access due to power failures derails user confidence

15. Skills and Skills development Need to put resources and mechanisms for continious skills development – Support staff training Attendance to conferences New technologies training Certified staff (CCNA, MSCSE, RHCE, etc) – Content development training for lecturers – Student and lecturer training on proper use of e-learning platform KEWL Moodle WebCT etc

16. Conclusion The success of E-learning in Higher education hinges on: – Proper ICT infrastructure – Enabling policy framework – Adequate resources – Competent support staff – Continious and effective user training