Operational Technology
ROSELLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Prepared for Roselle Public Schools by:
Dr. Henry A. Dixon, CEFM
Director of Operational Technology�
STATUS REPORT
Amandio Taveira�Senior Network Infrastructure Technician�
Lisa D. Palin�Information Technology Technician�
Artur Zugaj�Information Technology Technician
WHERE WE ARE GOING
DEPARTMENT OF [INFORMATION & LEARNING] TECHNOLOGY
“To Provided Highly Accessible Technology, Support, Information Management & Training”
Network Infrastructure
VISION & GOALS
Network, Systems & Security Assessment
Network Consolidation
Redesign Physical & Virtual Network Architecture
Refresh: Cisco IP Phone System
Refresh: Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Review Wireless Coverage in all Schools
Review iBoss Filter configurations
2018 - 2019 School Year
- The existing Cisco Switches districtwide were aged and could not support the power and performance needs of today’s users.
- As a manager I had limited visibility into the network.
- In the fall of 2019 we retired the Cisco Core and replaced it with a new Juniper Core Switch. This marked the gradual transition of the district from Cisco to Juniper.
- Completed conversion of ACHS from utilizing (16) Cisco Switches to Juniper Switches. - January 20, 2021
- This change now allows for the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (Marvis) to manage district Network Switches and Access Points.
- All Switches can now be managed in the Cloud.
- The (AI) recently told us we had (6) bad cables in the teen guide zone switch, the network engineer was able to resolve the issue quickly.
- In total (37) Juniper switches districtwide have replaced our old Cisco gear (E-Rate project).
Switch Conversion/Upgrade
Before
After
Problem:
Solution:
- Existing Cisco Access Points (APs) needed to be refreshed at the start of the new E-Rate season.
- Our devices utilized a physical controller; the new systems are cloud controlled.
- I wanted a system that I could view the health of the network from anywhere in the world.
- And an Artificial Intelligence (AI) that could identify issues such as poor coverage or device level connectivity issues would be even more beneficial.
Wireless Access Point Upgrade
Outdoor Access Point
Mist Cloud Control
Solution:
- Completed configuration and deployment of (6) Mist Outdoor and (220) Indoor Access Points. - March 22, 2022
- MIST access points are managed in the cloud, now provides the department with a new level of customization and control not available in the previous system.
Problem:
- Cisco IP-based Phone system is significantly out of date.
- Currently running Cisco Unified Communications Manager Version 7.1 (Circa 2008)
- End-of-Support Date: 2015-06-24, after this date, all support services for the product are unavailable, and the product becomes obsolete.
- The existing hardware cannot support a software upgrade.
Cisco IP Phone Upgrade
End of Life Hardware
Existing Handsets
Problem:
Cisco IP Phone Upgrade
New Cisco Hardware
New Handsets
- Replace existing hardware with (redundant) Cisco Servers that can support: Cisco Communications Manager Version 14 (July 2022)
- Replace all existing devices with new Cisco handsets. (July 2022)
Solution:
- Currently over 200 security cameras are analogue and the footage is stored on a local recorder.
- The recorders are end-of-life and cannot be upgraded or replaced.
- Replacing recorders with encoders, which convert analogue to digital would extend the life of the current system.
- The eventual upgrade of analogue to digital cameras would make the investment in encoders go to waste; as digital cameras feeds do not need to be converted.
Security Camera Upgrade
Existing Camera Views
Existing Cameras
Problem:
Security Camera Upgrade
New Camera Views
New Cameras
- All existing analogue security cameras were replaced with (250) 4K digital cameras with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- All existing coax cables were replaced with Cat6 cables (Districtwide).
Solution:
- Teachers and other district staff were struggling with 8 – 10 year old laptops.
- 220 teachers did not have a device or had a device that was 5 or more years old.
- Best practice: Decommission all student and teacher devices at the 5 year mark or sooner.
District Staff Laptops
Before
After
Solution:
- To date 317 new Dell 3400 series devices have been issued.
- All teachers have a device no older than (4) school years.
- Devices specs: i5, 8GB Ram, 1TB HD, 14in
- Roselle teachers were prepared for the pandemic.
Problem:
At the end of the 22-23 school year, (239) of the Dell devices will have reached the (5) year mark and need to be replaced.
- 119 classrooms did not have a modern interactive display or had a projector-based board that was 6 or more years old.
- Expensive projector bulbs, up to $300 each.
- New boards are touch Tv(s) which require zero maintenance.
Classroom Interactive Boards
Interactive Display
Solution:
Problem:
- (178) ClearTouch or ViewSonic 65in 4K interactive displays have been installed in classrooms districtwide (7 Schools) as of January 20, 2021.
- New devices have unlimited access to Apps and software upgrades.
- Additional ClearTouch Webcams provided additional support for remote instruction.
- Needed a system to track district owned vehicles in real time.
- This system needed to track location but also keep inventory of the employee operating the vehicle on each trip.
- The systems also needed to be accessible from the web and mobile device.
Vehicle GPS Tracking
Satellite View
Dashboard
Solution:
Problem:
- Configuration and Deployment of Verizon Connect - Reveal Vehicle GPS Tracking System | January 13, 2021
- This new system is cloud-based, allowing for GPS tracking of district vehicles in real-time over a Google map.
- The systems can also track frequently visited locations, vehicle speed and driver history.
- The GPS is installed in (12) district vehicles.
- The existing digital signage was deployed with home/consumer grade televisions.
- These devices were not designed to be on for 8-10 hours per day 180 days per year.
- This lead to images being burned into the screens.
Indoor Digital Signage
Central Office
Dr. Charles C. Polk E.S.
Solution:
Problem:
- Deployment of (8) Samsung 65in 4K Commercial Digital Signage displays and (8) mini PCs | December 21, 2020
- These new ultra high definition digital displays are driven by 4K mini PCs to provide dynamic visual signage to staff, students and visitors at all district locations.
- The new displays are designed to be on 24hrs/365 days per year.
- With the transition from Kronos to Frontline timekeeping software; new time clocks were required.
- We needed a device that would utilized existing door access and print release Radio-frequency identification (RFID) badges.
- Also needed a system that would seamlessly integrate with Frontline Time and Attendance.
TouchPoint Time Clocks
After
Before
Solution:
- We installed (13) new TouchPoint time clocks that utilize existing employee RFID badges.
- These devices are windows-based computers directly tied to our network.
- During the pandemic, this system did not require a fingerprint scan or punching of buttons.
- Just tap the RFID back to the right of the box and go.
Problem:
- When power shuts down at the street level or internally at ACHS, it would take down the entire network.
- Hard shutdowns can cause major damage to our systems.
- Our existing Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) was end of life and not large enough to support the entire MDF.
- Also needed notification of changes in power or when systems were running off of the UPS.
Battery Backup System
UPS
PDU
Solution:
- Instituted new UPS and (8) Power Distribution Units (PDU).
- The UPS will maintain limited power to the district MDF in times of power loss at the High School.
- Protects the network servers/switches, router, firewall/filter and keeps them safe from power surges.
- Provides immediate notification to the network engineer of loss of power.
- All UPS in (6) school IDFs have also been replaced with new devices.
Solution:
- In response to the pandemic, we needed an efficient way to manage the issuing of devices to students and staff.
- Traditional spreadsheets were inefficient and unmanageable with multiple users in multiple locations sharing the same document.
- Need to be able to Check-in and Check-out devices and maintain the history of the device.
Asset Management System
Assignment View
Data Sheet View
Solution:
- Configuration and Deployment of AssetPanda - Asset Management System. - October 22, 2020
- This new system is cloud-based, allowing for multiple users to check-in and check-out devices simultaneously.
- This has eliminated the use of spreadsheets to track and manage devices.
- Custom asset reports can be generated on demand.
Problem:
- The district had a fleet of multifunction printers on contract. In addition, many classrooms districtwide also had desktop printers. This setup incurred greater cost in maintenance and consumable resources (toner) to the district.
- Need to consolidate printing resources and move to a digital first mindset.
Community Printing
Copy/Print Stations
Document Release
Solution:
Problem:
- Community Printing is centralized printing for all staff. The idea was to put one multi-function Printer/Copier on each floor of each building for staff use. In schools with one floor, additional devices were added in ratio to the number of staff in each wing. All staff devices were wirelessly connected to a print release system.
- When a staff member (user) sends a document to print, the document is sent up to the cloud. When the user swipes their RFID badge on the printer, it will authenticate the user into the print-queue. The user can then individually release only the document(s) that are still needed to be printed. Document(s) that are no longer needed can be deleted, saving paper and ink resources.
- Removed (116) classroom desktop printers.
- Replaced (33) Kyocera MFPs with (41) Xerox MFPs with PaperCut Print Management System.
The district has since gone back to Kyocera Devices. - October 2022
District Website
After
Before
Solution:
- The website is now built on WordPress open source software.
- The District owns every aspect of the website and can move it from one host to another.
- The website now has a modern design and can be enhanced with Plugins.
- Responsive Design - Mobile Ready - Cell Phone / Tablet.
- Designed to be (ADA) compliant, WCAG 2.0 standards.
- (1) District Website & (8) School Websites & Athletics.
Problem:
- The district did not own the original website so it could not be moved from one host to another.
- The website had a dated design, lacked the ability to be upgraded and was cumbersome to manage.
Additional Projects:
Each success of the Operational Technology Department is possible because of the hard work and dedication of the department’s staff and trusted vendors.
Certifications:
Awards:
| May 2022 |
Dissertation Title: A Quantitative Analysis of the Capacity of Campus Police to Investigate Cybercrime Saint Peter's University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2022. 29211417. | |
| Dec 2015 |
| June 2014 |
| May 2003 |
HENRY A. DIXON, Ed.D., CEFM
Director of Operational Technology
Amandio Taveira�Senior Network Infrastructure Technician�
Lisa D. Palin�Information Technology Technician�
Artur Zugaj�Information Technology Technician�
Education: