Regional higher-ed and community innovator modernizes infrastructure and experiences with Aruba CX 8400, IAPs, and Central

为了将其80年的教育创新历史带入未来，加利福尼亚的西山社区学院（WHCCD）需要一个可靠的现代网络基础设施。

"We experienced multiple deficiencies with our existing Cisco wired infrastructure from the start," explains Jack Ramsey, Network Engineer for the Coalinga-based institution that also delivers education and training via partnerships with local school districts and industries.

他说：“例如，每当电力熄灭时，我们的农村地区几乎每月发生一次，我们的开关中有10％失败了。”“更糟糕的是，接收保修替代者可能需要几个月的时间。随着当今对学生成功的技术依赖，我们必须做出改变。”

WHCCD IT基础设施和安全总监Jeff Seed说：“从清晨到深夜，我们的教室活跃起来。”“此外，我们有校园住房，这在我们的社区大学同行中是独一无二的，它将24/7产生数据流量。”

尊敬的声誉和客户优先的文化榜首

当需要进行核心到边缘网络刷新的时间时，支持位于优先级列表中。WHCCD IT基础设施和安全总监Jeff Seed说：“从清晨到深夜，我们的教室活跃起来。”“此外，我们有校园住房，这在我们的社区大学同行中是独一无二的，它将24/7产生数据流量。”

Given its ultra-lean IT staff servicing three main campuses and two satellite locations dispersed across 3,500 miles, WHCCD also sought a reliable, secure solution capable of scaling to meet evolving demands.

Long partnered with Hewlett Packard Enterprise for servers and storage, WHCCD was accustomed to VIP treatment and trusted its HPE reps. "If any of HPE's equipment failed, we could count on replacements within a few hours," says Ramsey.

他补充说：“我们的HPE代表向我们介绍了Aruba解决方案。”“阿鲁巴的'客户首先，客户最后的文化及其受人尊敬的有线和无线网络声誉，使我们充满信心。”

Aruba CX核心切换节省了一天

Working with its local integration partnerAMS.NET, WHCCD selected an end-to-end wired and wireless solution from Aruba with advanced, comprehensive, AI-enabled management tools.

For wired networking, the institution planned to deploy anAruba CX 8400 core switch，其基于微服务的AOS-CX操作系统在其每个主要校园中。阿鲁巴的3810and2930access switches would complete the deployment.

While the equipment was still in the AMS warehouse, the existing core switch at one campus burned up completely. "With Cisco estimating three days just for a replacement to arrive, we called up AMS to ask about installing the CX 8400," Ramsey says. "The next morning, an engineer installed the Aruba switch and brought the entire campus back online in a couple of hours."

Resilient design and analytics engine improve operations and reduce overhead

通过将CX 8400与Aruba的访问开关配对，WHCCD获得了使用各种任务自动化功能和强大的分析引擎进行主动管理和更快的故障排除的能力。其他管理要求是Python的解释器和RESTFUL API。

Additionally, the CX 8400's resilient design and open standards operating system provided further benefits. For example, its active chassis components are not only field-replaceable but also hot-swappable, reducing associated operational overhead. Also, having open standards adds flexibility and agility for adopting companion technologies.

Cloud-based Aruba Central and ClearPass Complete the Stack

To complete its modernization and deliver seamless Wi-Fi experiences, WHCCD adopted阿鲁巴的indoor and outdoor Instant Access Points (IAPs)，用于零接触式供应，Aruba Central, for cloud-based network optimization and management.

使用Central，WHCCD自动化设备入职，包括用于在高等教育校园中激增的多种用户拥有的物联网设备。“以前，我们正在手动批准设备，”种子说。“现在，用户只是自我注册。”

Addressing security concerns while eliminating hours of manual effort

对于精简的网络访问控制（NAC），WHCCD统一的有线和无线安全性Aruba Clearpass。Seed说：“ ClearPass，我们的切换环境和Wi-Fi之间的紧密整合有助于我们解决许多安全问题。”

在有线侧，3810开关中的无色端口功能使ClearPass可以为实时连接特定设备的角色和策略分配角色和策略。Seed说：“这消除了无数小时的手动努力，围绕分配和更新开关端口配置。”

It's a similar story for Wi-Fi, where ClearPass automatically grants access rights based on the same granular roles and policies WHCCD applies to its wired connections.

“使用ClearPass直观的仪表盘和颗粒access capabilities we're not only giving users a consistent experience across wired and wireless, but also enjoying remarkably simplified management and significantly improved control," Seed says.

"With ClearPass identifying a wider range of device types, we're assured that access roles are properly applied without requiring any additional human intervention," says Seed.

"With ClearPass identifying a wider range of device types, we're assured that access roles are properly applied without requiring any additional human intervention," says Seed.

"I can't say enough about how ClearPass has positively transformed our network management," he adds.

Future-Ready Network & Superior Support at a $250,000 Savings

With academic technologies growing increasingly bandwidth-intensive, such as for augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), 3D computer-aided design (CAD) and other streaming visualizations, WHCCD now has the scalable, reliable and cost-effective infrastructure to respond.

"Due to the redundancy and resiliency built into our core switches we only needed to deploy a single unit at each location," says Ramsey. "That's a considerable capital savings versus installing two cores per campus."

WHCCD还对其运营节省感到高兴。种子说：“从过去的经验来看，我们希望至少需要一个人，也许需要两个人。”“相反，管理网络的时间要少得多，以至于我在功能上是唯一的管理员。”

And the difference in support is night and day. "Although we have had very few occurrences, we're impressed with the level of expertise Aruba supplies," Ramsey says. "The appropriate engineers are always available to help resolve an issue quickly, even on weekends."

结果，WHCCD估计它将节省至少25万美元，而与以前的供应商保持在一起。"That's just for the initial investments," says Ramsey. "We certainly expect additional efficiencies to come."

结果，WHCCD估计它将节省至少25万美元，而与以前的供应商保持在一起。

甲板上的更多功能

Another attractive solution under consideration is AI-enabled User Experience Insight, for a user-centric look at connection and app performance. This tool would assist WHCCD with proactively identifying application and network service issues - before they impact users.

此外，WHCCD有兴趣了解有关解决方案增强功能的更多信息，这些增强功能将使Aruba Central在Aruba Central中管理CX 8400和设备Insight。这可以帮助该机构进一步简化网络管理，减少开销并改善整体用户体验。

Invaluable technology partner for the long haul

No matter what the future holds, WHCCD is ready. "With our flexible, adaptable and scalable network we can support the technology and mobility needs of everything from our irrigation engineering program at our Farm of the Future to culinary arts and hospitality management," Seed says.

Most importantly, WHCCD has gained an invaluable technology partner for the long haul.

"When it's a two hour round-trip to your most distant campus, reliable infrastructure, streamlined management and dependable support is critical for delivering on your mission," says Seed. "With Aruba, we have had an outstanding experience – no question about it."