Press Releases
London Grid for Learning Deploys Simplified Data Centre Network Infrastructure from Juniper Networks
Junos®-Powered High-Performance Network Delivers Multimedia Content and IT Services to Teachers and Pupils Across 2,600 Schools
SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 22, 2010 – Juniper Networks® (NYSE: JNPR) today announced that the London Grid for Learning (LGfL), the world’s largest fiber network for education purposes, has upgraded its data centre network with a high-performance infrastructure from Juniper, including routing, switching and security solutions. The upgraded network enables LGfL to provide bandwidth-rich multimedia teaching and learning services, including videoconferencing with museums and specialist learning centres; content streaming; and online managed learning resources to all 2,600 primary and secondary schools in greater London.
“To ensure we remain at the forefront of online education, LGfL needed a high-performance data centre network to deliver state-of-the-art academic services at scale into the classroom and the staff room across 2,600 locations,” said Brian Durrant, chief executive officer, LGfL. “Juniper has a proven track record of helping research and education organizations significantly drive down costs through the simplification, consolidation and virtualization of their data centre network infrastructures. Having Juniper’s Junos, a single network operating system running across our infrastructure, further improves our operational efficiencies and provides the right foundation for ‘cloud-readying’ our network.”
LGfL was launched in 2000 as a collaborative initiative by London’s 33 local authorities to provide advanced, cost-effective information and communications technology (ICT) services for London’s education community. Services include broadband connectivity and managed security services, plus more than one million pages of online content which is available to teachers and students via its portal. LGfL is the largest educational metro network in the world with a transport layer of 100 percent optic fiber and 100 percent Ethernet. The network is also the backbone of the London Public Services Network (LPSN), which ensures reliable information sharing between the capital’s 33 local authorities. During emergencies, the LGfL infrastructure can also provide contingency bandwidth to help carry key communications.
“Innovative organizations like LGfL understand the business need for a new network, which is open and architected for performance, scale, security and simplicity, but with a much lower total cost of ownership,” said Gert-Jan Schenk, senior vice president EMEA, Juniper Networks. “Juniper’s approach to high-performance infrastructure — the new network — has enabled LGfL to align its network with its core objective of delivering education services for the 21st century, reliably and cost-effectively.”
LGfL has deployed Juniper Networks MX Series Universal Edge Routers for the core and distribution layer of its network, with Advanced Routing, MPLS, QoS and Multicast capabilities for maximum performance, availability and service agility. Juniper Networks J Series Services Routers standardize service delivery at the network edge with scalability and operational simplicity, enabling LGfL to standardize on one CPE (Customer Premise Equipment) device for all schools regardless of size and onsite technical skills.
Additionally, Juniper Networks EX Series Ethernet Switches with Virtual Chassis fabric technology eliminate the need for an aggregation layer – a primary source of complexity in data centre networks – providing LGfL with cost-effective Ethernet aggregation in the distribution layer to create flexible carrier-class level connectivity in LGfL’s data centre. Juniper Networks SRX Series Services Gateways are also deployed at the network’s core to provide high-performance, integrated security. Juniper Networks STRM Security Threat Response Manager combines network performance with robust security management services via a single console by integrating, analyzing and managing surveillance data including network behavior, security events, vulnerability profiles and threat information.
The new infrastructure has been designed and deployed by Juniper Networks local partner, Synetrix, part of the Capita Group plc. Synetrix will be operating the infrastructure as a managed service on behalf of LGfL.
About Juniper Networks
From devices to data centres, from consumers to the cloud, Juniper Networks delivers innovative software, silicon and systems that transform the experience and economics of networking. The company serves more than 30,000 customers and partners worldwide, and generated more than $3 billion in revenue over the last year. Additional information can be found at www.juniper.net.
Juniper Networks and Junos are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. The Juniper Networks and Junos logos are trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.
