Laptop infrastructureupgrade

Teacher Laptop and General Infrastructure Upgrade at St.
Thomas Aquinas Regional School
An Analysis, by Matt Hollingsworth,
Technology Coordinator
Introduction
Technology at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School is an integral part of the day-to-
day operations for teachers, students and staff members. Unfortunately, in recent
months the level of quality technology has declined. As advances in software
technology have made learning experiences better, lack of proper hardware to run
the software correctly has resulted in decreased productivity for teachers and staff.
Upgrading the teachers’ computers and the general networking infrastructure in the
school will help restore productivity and provide a solid foundation for learning in the
years to come.
The Current State of Teachers’ Technology
The laptops currently in use by the teachers are woefully inadequate. The
technology in use in these machines is tremendously outdated. The Pentium 4
processor line has been discontinued for several years, replaced by 5 new processor
“generations” since the teachers’ models were in production. The laptops were, at
the time or production, not even the top of line in their time. Additionally, the RAM
installed in the machines is almost at capacity when in use, and the hard drive
installed is nearing capacity on all of the machines. These problems are compounded
given the trend of ever-increasing minimum requirements in new software. The
network card is maxed out at a 100 Mb connection. Many of the CD-ROM drives are
beginning to fail, and some laptops do not even have DVD drives installed, meaning
that some software cannot even be installed.
Additionally, the batteries in the machines are so old they have simply run out of
charges. The laptops no longer function on battery power. The need to be plugged
in at all times, essentially behaving like desktops. Teachers are often unwilling to
take the laptops home, since they will not only take upward of 30 minutes to load,
they also require a constant power source. The whole point of having portable
laptops for teachers is now defeated.
Ultimately, this combination of lack of space, obsolete processing ability, and lack of
expandability are resulting in a lack of production for the teachers. Log in times are
long, resulting in teachers coming in early simply to boot up on time for class.
Program load times are slow, often exceeding 10 minutes for email and internet.
Simultaneously run programs (ActivBoard software and Internet Explorer, for
example) cause overloads and complete freezes in the system.
The Current State of the Network Infrastructure
The state of the network infrastructure in the building is not as dire as the teachers’
situation is. Currently, all network connections are wired 100 Mb/s (megabit per
second) connections. This is causing two problems: lack of mobility and

bottlenecking. The bottleneck issue usually arises in the morning, when all teachers
and staff begin logging in to the servers. Since ALL connections top out at 100 Mb/s,
data is not streamed to the teachers as quickly as it could be. Additionally, the lab
computers face the same problem. When all of the students log on to the internet,
for example, there is delay in access for several students while the system can
“catch up” with all of the requests. This results in lost time while students wait up to
5 minutes for a web page to show up.
Additionally, the school is limited to the wired connections in place. While necessary,
they are not completely inclusive. For example, the Hall (gym) is often used for
presentations such as Back to School Night, middle school Households, CYM events,
sports tournaments, and other similar events. Computers are used to run
Powerpoint presentations, videos, reports, etc. While power outlets are readily
available, network ports are not. Due to the lack of wireless internet technology, the
computers are shoved into a corner where a cable can be run through the hallway
into a classroom to pick up internet signals. Alternatively, the presentation is burned
to a CD or DVD to use in place of a live wired connection. All network and printer
cables must be brought in separately, and run to the nearest available ports,
occasionally interfering with the event at hand.
What is Necessary for the Teachers
The teachers at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School need new laptops. The laptops
currently in use were donated 5 years ago. They were at least 2 years old at that
point, resulting in a 7-year life span. This is far beyond the generally
accepted/expected lifespan of 3-5 years. The new laptops purchased must be able
to be comparable, and have enough power, drive space, expandability, and features
to last approximately 5 years.
The primary concern in purchasing laptops for a 5-year life is the CPU. The RAM and
hard drive space can expanded with relatively little expense ($100-$150 per unit, on
average, to double both). However, a laptop’s processor cannot be replaced.
Therefore, purchase a laptop with the fastest, most robust processor available is the
best way to assure that in 5 years, the laptops will still function adequately with
current software. An extra increase in price for a processor upgrade very well could
be the difference between 3 years of adequate use versus 5.
All of the computers should be equipped with other hardware necessary for the next
5 years. They should have working DVD drives, gigabit network capabilities, and
plenty of RAM and disk space. They also need external VGA video ports to run the
ActivBoard projectors. The screen resolution needs to be large enough to meet all
software requirements, as well as power the ActivBoard projectors properly. The
battery life should be rated high, and the battery itself should be a common model so
that replacing it in the future is still possible.
What is Necessary for the Infrastructure
With faster teacher computers, the major problem then becomes the lack of
bandwidth on the network. Replacing the current 100 Mb/s network hubs and
switches with Gb connection (gigabit, equivalent to 1000 Mb/s transfer rate) will
result in a literal 10 times increase in network speed and bandwidth. This means

faster login times for teachers, less down time in the lab and in the classroom,
increased productivity for staff members, and a generally quicker response for all
systems in the school.
Additionally, a controlled wireless network will allow unrestricted mobility for such
events. Computers streaming video, for example, can be place in a spot most
conducive to seeing the video, for example, instead of the only available spot where
connectivity can be reached.
OK, Great. But What Does it Cost?
As stated, each teacher laptop unit would cost approximately $800 for the best
balance of longevity versus savings. But before we can assign a final price tag, we
need to know how many are due for upgrade.
Also, to achieve the goal of school-wide gigabit networking, we need to make sure
that all hubs and switches in the building are converted to this speed. Leaving one
router, hub or switch at 100MB/s causes every computer downstream to run at that
speed. We need to ascertain how many switches, and how many ports per switch,
are needed.
Additionally, to achieve wireless connectivity, we need to know several things. First
of all, a range of wirelessly-covered spaces needs to be determined. The Hall is
obviously the primary target, but also the main office, lobby, and teachers lounge
are candidates for inclusion.
Counting Units
Currently, 18 teachers and staff use laptops, and will continue to do so. The number
was originally 21, but 5 laptops have died in the last year, and the two extras have
been used. That number needs to be maintained, and the number of laptops
restored to the initial intent and design of the school. Also, some staff members may
benefit from having laptops where in the past they did not. Furthermore, some staff
members simply do not need them.
Here is a breakdown, by job position, of the computer distribution in the school:
Principal Currently uses Laptop
Assistant Principal Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Admissions Officer/Administrative
Assistant
Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Bookkeeper Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Administrative Assistant Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Director of Development Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Receptionist Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Technology Coordinator Currently uses Desktop (laptop preferred)
Computer Lab Aide Currently uses Laptop
Extended Day Director Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Assistant Extended Day Director Currently uses Desktop (will remain)

Title 1 Teacher Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Resource Currently use Desktops (will remain)
Guidance Counselors Currently use Desktops (will remain)
Nurses Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Hot Lunch Coordinator/Aide, Grade 5 Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Pre-K Teacher Used to have laptop, currently uses Desktop
(laptop preferred)
K1 Currently uses Laptop
K1 Used to have laptop, currently uses Desktop
(laptop preferred)
1A Currently uses Laptop
1B Currently uses Laptop
6B Used to have laptop, currently uses Desktop
(laptop preferred)
Spanish, 6-8 Currently uses Desktop (laptop preferred)
Spanish, 1-5 No computer (laptop preferred)
Art Currently uses Desktop (laptop preferred)
Music Currently uses Desktop (laptop preferred)
P.E. Currently uses Laptop
Librarian Currently uses Desktop (will remain)
Science Lab Currently uses Desktop (laptop preferred)
Aide, K1 No computer
Aide, K2 No computer
Aide, 1A No computer
Aide, 1B No computer
Aide, Grade 2 No computer
Ideally, the Technology Coordinator, Spanish, Art, Music, Science Lab teachers will
gain laptops, while all other teachers who previously have used laptops will be able
to keep them, while at the same time having two or three units in reserve in case of
hardware failure. The total number of laptops needed would then be 30 (27 in use,
3 on reserve). To maintain the absolute minimum number, with no backups, would
require 22 new units.

In order for a laptop to meet the specifications stated above, we cannot purchase
models on the least expensive tier. To cross the threshold into truly long-lasting
processors, with all other capabilities present, will cost in the $800 to $900 range.
As laptop models are constantly in flux, we cannot pinpoint any one model at this
time, but this price range has been the norm for several years.
The total cost for new teacher laptops, assuming $800-$900 per unit, comes out to
between $17,600 minimum and $27,000 maximum.
Here is a breakdown of the current network hardware distribution in the building. All
of these units are 100 Mb/s or slower connections.
Description Location Quantity Price
24-port switch Server room 6 $175-$300
5-port hub Server room 1 $50-$60
5-port switch Lab 8 $50-$60
24-port switch/hub Phone room/office 1 $175-$300
24-port switch/hub Extended Day Closet 1 $175-$300
5-port switch 3A 1 $50-$60
The prices listed are average current prices. This is, again, a generally stable range.
The lowest estimate to replace everything is $2,775. The highest is $4,680. More
than likely, the actual price will be in the low $3,000’s.
To achieve wireless capabilities in the Hall, office, and lobby, between 4 and 6
wireless routers need to be purchased. They cost approximately $50 a unit,
resulting in a $200 to $300 cost.
The Bottom Line
The maximum cost of these upgrades (highest quality, full quantity) is just under
$32,000. At minimum, we can just get by with spending $20,575.
The more that can be invested in high quality, durable, capable equipment now, the
less frustration and obsolescence will result later from inferior equipment. A full,
properly performed upgrade can set the tone for technological standards for half a
decade, at least, and allow the school to serve as a model of technology
implementation in the Diocese.

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