Aerohive Networks today announced that The Leys School, Cambridge, UK, has deployed an Aerohive WLAN solution across its ten campus houses. The independent school, founded in 1875, is also extending the WLAN across its 50 acre campus to provide its 562 pupils and staff with secure access to the network from personal as well as school-issued mobile devices.
During a refresh of its IT infrastructure, The Leys School reviewed its wireless requirements and assessed solutions from Aerohive and other providers. Aerohive’s controller-less architecture put it ahead of other vendors for its ability to scale easily, reduce management complexity, and its compelling price point.
“The IT demands of our pupils increase year on year. It was clear that as demands increased, our mix of legacy cabled and wireless networks wouldn’t suffice. We looked for a cost effective WLAN solution that would simultaneously scale and minimise management complexity. Aerohive’s controller-less architecture was an obvious fit.”
The Leys has implemented HiveAPs across its ten campus houses, providing both day and boarding pupils with secure Wi-Fi connectivity. The WLAN plays a critical role in assuring the highest standard of student experience, enabling a ‘home-from-home’ environment where pupils can complete assignments online, and safely browse the internet, play games, and communicate with friends and family.
“We are providing 381 pupils in boarding houses and 181 day pupils with uninterrupted Wi-Fi access, helping us to deliver on our aim to provide a ‘home-from-home’ experience. We recognise that Aerohive is critical to maintaining, and indeed improving, the standard of education we deliver,” explains Dr. Damian Glasfurd-Brown, Director of IT, The Leys.
Ensuring pupils’ safety and wellbeing while online is paramount for the school. Aerohive’s ability to integrate fully with the school’s existing Network Access Control (NAC) solution was a key differentiator.
Aerohive’s centralised management platform is also saving time and freeing up resource for the IT team. Using HiveManager, the IT department can now efficiently configure and manage all APs and wireless devices on the network from one location. This has helped save much time and effort previously lost to helping pupils with connectivity and configuration problems.
Aerohive’s integrated network-based mobile device management features will allow the school to easily welcome smart devices and accompanying traffic. The IT team will be able to assign profiles according to user and device, helping safeguard against security breaches.
The school plans to extend the WLAN across its entire 50 acre campus.
