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Network Working Group J. Gargano
Request for Comments: 1709 University of California, Davis
FYI: 26 D. Wasley
Category: Informational University of California, Berkeley
November 1994
K-12 Internetworking Guidelines
Status Of This Memo
This memo provides information for the Internet community. This memo
does not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of
this memo is unlimited.
I. Introduction
Many organizations concerned with K-12 educational issues and the
planning for the use of technology recognize the value of data
communications throughout the educational system. State sponsored
documents such as the California Department of Education's "Strategic
Plan for Information Technology" recommend the planning of voice,
video and data networks to support learning and educational
administration, but they do not provide specific technical direction.
The institutions that built the Internet and connected early in its
development are early adopters of technology, with technical staff
dedicated to the planning for and implementation of leading edge
technology. The K-12 community traditionally has not had this level
of staffing available for telecommunications planning. This document
is intended to bridge that gap and provides a recommended technical
direction, an introduction to the role the Internet now plays in K-12
education and technical guidelines for building a campus data
communications infrastructure that provides internetworking services
and connections to the Internet.
For a more general introduction to the Internet and its applications
and uses, the reader is referred to any of the references listed in
the following RFCs:
1392 "Internet Users' Glossary" (also FYI 18)
1432 "Recent Internet Books"
1462 "What is the Internet" (also FYI 20)
1463 "Introducing the Internet - A Short Bibliograpy of
Introductory Internetworking on Readings for the Network
Novice" (also FYI 19)
ISN Working Group [Page 1]
RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
II. Rationale for the Use of Internet Protocols
In 1993, the Bank Street College of Education conducted a survey of
550 educators who are actively involved in using telecommunications.
(Honey, Margaret, Henriquez, Andres, "Telecommunications and K-12
Educators: Findings from a National Survey," Bank Street College of
Education, New York, NY, 1993.) The survey looked at a wide variety
of ways telecommunications technology is used in K-12 education.
Their findings on Internet usage are summarized below.
"Slightly less than half of these educators have access
to the Internet, which is supplied most frequently by a
university computer or educational service."
"Internet services are used almost twice as often for
professional activities as for student learning
activities."
"Sending e-mail is the most common use of the Internet,
followed by accessing news and bulletin boards and gaining
access to remote computers."
The following chart shows the percentage of respondents that use each
network application to support professional and student activities.
Applications Professional Student
Activities Activities
Electronic mail 91 79
News or bulletin board 63 50
Remote access to other 48 32
computers
Database access 36 31
File transfer 34 19
The value of the Internet and its explosive growth are a direct
result of the computer communications technology used on the network.
The same network design principals and computer communications
protocols (TCP/IP) used on the Internet can be used within a school
district to build campuswide networks. This is standard practice
within higher education, and increasingly in K-12 schools as well.
The benefits of the TCP/IP protocols are listed below.
ISN Working Group [Page 2]
RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
Ubiquity TCP/IP is available on most, if not all, of the
computing platforms likely to be important for
instructional or administrative purposes. TCP/IP
is available for the IBM compatible personal
computers (PCs) running DOS or Windows and all
versions of the Apple Macintosh. TCP/IP is
standard on all UNIX-based systems and
workstations and most mainframe computers.
Applications TCP/IP supports many applications including, but
not limited to, electronic mail, file transfer,
interactive remote host access, database access, file
sharing and access to networked information
resources. Programming and development expertise
is available from a wide variety of sources.
Flexibility TCP/IP is flexible, and new data transport
requirements can be incorporated easily. It can
accommodate educational and administrative
applications equally well so that one set of network
cabling and one communications system may be
used in both the classroom and the office.
Simplicity TCP/IP is simple enough to run on low-end
computing platforms such as the Apple MacIntosh
and PCs while still providing efficient support for
large minicomputer and mainframe computing
platforms. TCP/IP benefits from over twenty years
of refinement that has resulted in a large and
technically sophisticated environment.
Capacity TCP/IP supports local area network and wide area
network services within the entire range of network
data rates available today, from dial-up modem
speeds to gigabit speed experimental networks.
Communications can occur reliably among machines
across this entire range of speeds.
Coexistence TCP/IP can coexist successfully with other
networking architectures. It is likely that offices
and classrooms that already have networks may be
using something other than TCP/IP. Networks of
Apple Macintosh computers will probably be using
Appletalk; networks of PCs may be using any of the
common network operating systems such as Novell
Netware or LANManager. Mainframe computers
may be using IBM's System Network Architecture
(SNA). None of these proprietary protocols provides
ISN Working Group [Page 3]
RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
broad connectivity on a global scale. Recognizing
this, network technology vendors now provide many
means for building networks in which all of these
protocols can co-exist.
Multimedia TCP/IP networks can support voice, graphics and
video as part of teleconferencing and multimedia
applications.
Compatibility All of the major Universities, as well as
thousands of commercial and governmental
organizations use TCP/IP for their primary
communications services. Commercial networks
such as Compuserve and America Online are also
connected to the Internet. Many State Departments
of Education have sponsored statewide initiatives to
connect schools to the Internet and many K-12
school districts have connected based upon local
needs.
NREN The High Performance Computing Act of 1991 and
the Information Infrastructure and Technology Act
of 1992 provide the foundation for building the
national telecommunications infrastructure in
support of education and research. The National
Research and Education Network (NREN) will be
based upon Internet technology.
The benefits of internetworking technology have been demonstrated
through twenty years of use by thousands of organizations. This same
experience also provides tested technical models for network design
that can be adapted to K-12 campuswide networking in schools of all
sizes and technical development.
III. A Technical Model for School Networks
The vision of a modern communications network serving all primary and
secondary schools has been articulated and discussed in many forums.
Many schools and a few school districts have implemented ad hoc
network systems in response to their own perception of the importance
of this resource. This section of the Internet School Networking
(ISN) Working Group RFC presents a standard network implementation
model to assist county offices of education and school districts in
their planning so that all such implementations will be compatible
with each other and with national networking plans intended to enrich
K-12 education.
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RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
The future goal of "an integrated voice, data, and video network
extending to every classroom" is exciting, but so far from what
exists today that the investment in time and dollars required to
realize such a goal will be greater than most districts can muster in
the near term. We suggest that a great deal can be done immediately,
with relatively few dollars, to provide modern communications systems
in and between all schools around the nation.
Our present goal is to define a highly functional, homogeneous, and
well supported network system that could interconnect all K-12
schools and district, county, and statewide offices and that will
enable teachers and administrators to begin to use new communications
tools and network-based information resources. It takes considerable
time to adapt curricula and other programs to take full advantage of
new technology. Through the use of standard models for
implementation of current network technologies, schools can begin
this process now.
Many states have already developed communications services for their
schools. A notable example is Texas which provides terminal access
to central information resources from every classroom over a
statewide network. Modem-accessible systems are available in many
states that serve to encourage teachers to become familiar with
network resources and capabilities. Although modem-access may be the
only practical option today in some areas, it always will be limited
in functionality and/or capacity. In anticipation of emerging and
future bandwidth intensive information resource applications and the
functionality that they will require, we believe it is essential to
provide direct network access to the National Research and Education
Network (NREN) Internet (The Internet is a "network of networks" that
interconnects institutions of higher education, research labs,
government agencies, and a rapidly growing number of technology and
information vendors.) from computers in every classroom.
The Internet communication protocols, commonly known as "TCP/IP," are
the "glue" that will allow all computers to communicate. As noted
above, software that implements Internet protocols is available for
all modern computers. These protocols support a very wide variety of
applications, from electronic messaging to client/server data access.
The use of Internet protocols will ensure that all networked
computers will have direct access to the vast range of existing
information and education resources on the Internet, as well as to
the emerging National Information Infrastructure.
ISN Working Group [Page 5]
RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
Approach
The implementation we suggest would use current proven and cost
effective technology and would be expandable and upgradable to newer
technology with minimum additional investment. This approach
requires careful, modular design to meet the following criteria:
1) Any physical infrastructure development should be general and
flexible enough to be reused as technology improves. For
example, a school office might have a simple terminal today
which could be wired to a network adapter serving the school
building. Later a Macintosh, DOS, or Windows-based PC might
replace the terminal, and the type of connection to the network
would change accordingly. However, the wiring between the
office and the network "hub" site could remain the same if it
is designed properly to begin with. This is an important
consideration since wiring typically represents 20 to 40% of
the cost of individual network hookups;
2) Existing computers and terminals in schools and district
offices should be integrated as much as possible into the
communication system. This installed base represents a large
investment, albeit in many cases a somewhat dated set of
equipment. Wholesale replacement of that base would be a
large additional burden on funding resources.
A consequence of the above is that the user interface and the
services available will vary depending on the type of equipment
used to access the network. For example, DOS PCs, Macintosh
computers, or Unix workstations would be connected directly to
Local Area Networks (LANs) and would be provided with
communications software to support a broad set of functions,
many of which will have graphical user interfaces and will make
use of client/server technology. Apple-II computers, "dumb"
terminals, or other such devices could be connected to
intelligent network hubs that would allow access to network
server computers or information resources, but almost certainly
will not support the full range of functionality provided by a
direct network connection. In the short term, this is a
limitation that we must accept;
3) Network servers will be located where they can be managed and
supported, and also provide access paths with adequate
bandwidth. A system of hierarchical servers should be created
in larger school districts, with automatic transfer of common
information from a central system to the secondary systems each
night, or at appropriate intervals. Local servers will allow
each school to provide on-line information particular to its
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RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
programs and community. This model optimizes use of network
bandwidth as well;
4) School interconnect topologies (links) must be both cost
effective and manageable. Communication between schools,
district offices, county offices of education, and the State
Department of Education must be reliable and of sufficient
capacity to support the primary applications as well as allow
development of new applications.
Capacity is measured both by total data traffic volume and by
response time when information is requested over the network.
Reliability is measured by the percentage of time that the
network is able to transport data. Reliability should be well
over 99.7%. Capacity should be such that no more than 10% of
the communications bandwidth is used during a typical work day.
This is intended to leave adequate capacity for good response
time to short term communication demands.
Many schools already have some form of communications
infrastructure in place. In some cases this infrastructure can
be adapted to newer technologies; in other cases it may have to
be replaced over time. These issues are explored further
following presentation of the basic model that serves as a
guideline for future communications system development.
Implementation Model
There is no one "blueprint" for a network that will drop into every
school. Each school will have particular physical constraints,
functional needs, an existing technology base, funding constraints,
and opportunities for collaboration with vendors and support groups
in its area. What is presented here is a set of general guidelines
that can be followed in the planning of a school network
implementation.
The strategic decision to use Internet protocols in developing school
networks provides the opportunity to avoid the major expense of
building new statewide backbone infrastructures in the near term.
Interconnection of schools, districts, county offices of education
and the State Department of Education can be accomplished by
acquiring Internet connection service from any of the existing
Internet service providers in the state. ("Connecting to the
Internet", Susan Estrada, O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. (ISBN 1-56592-
061-9) lists Internet service providers in California and the
nation.) It is critical that Internet connection service meet
criteria for reliability and capacity but connection to any Internet
service provider will provide communication capability to all other
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RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
Internet subscribers within the state, the nation, and the world.
Internet technology is designed to allow very flexible intersite
topologies, but a hierarchical topology is the simplest to engineer.
Generally this will mean hierarchical connection of school facilities
to district offices, in many cases further aggregated at county
offices, and finally a link to an Internet service provider.
Coordination of circuit services and a single point of connection to
an Internet service provider serves both to minimize overall costs
and increase opportunities to make use of newer technologies.
The basic school network implementation model is quite simple: create
a local area network (LAN) within each school building or cluster of
buildings, provide at least one network server for that LAN,
interconnect that LAN with the local school district offices where a
similar LAN should be installed and where centrally managed
information resources should exist, and connect the district offices
to the nearest Internet service provider, possibly through the county
office of education.
Primary technical support for network monitoring and problem
resolution, and for managing network resource servers should come
from the district or county offices initially to avoid unnecessary
duplication at the local level. As expertise is developed at the
local level, more of the responsibility for daily operation and
problem resolution can be assumed by individual schools.
It is impossible to cover all conceivable scenarios for
implementation of this model in specific schools. However, it is
possible to state general principles that should be followed in
designing school network implementations. The discussion below is
organized into sections corresponding to the basic model summarized
in the previous paragraph. It includes a description of the general
principles that are important to each level of the implementation.
Step 1: School Local Area Network Implementation
A "school" is used here to mean a building or cluster of buildings
that are managed as a unit and typically are on contiguous, district
owned property. Implementation of a LAN in this setting will involve
installation of a cabling system to distribute the network throughout
the structure(s), installation of premise wiring to support
connections of computers and terminals to the network distribution
system, installation of one or more network server machines in a
central location (Other protocols, such as AppleTalk or Novells IPX,
may be supported on a school's local area network (LAN) as needed for
local function such as printer sharing or local resource servers.),
and provision of a network router and telecommunications circuit or
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RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
radio link to connect that school to the district offices.
The most common LAN technologies in use today are ethernet and
LocalTalk. (IEEE 802.5 Token Ring is not recommended for new
installations. It is more expensive and it is not available for as
wide a range of computers.) Both are quite inexpensive and easy to
install and maintain. Ethernet is adaptable to most modern computers
and is built-in to high performance workstations such as Sun,
Hewlett-Packard, SGI, or Digital Equipment Corporation computers.
LocalTalk is built-in to all Macintosh computers and is adaptable to
DOS PC computers as well. Ethernet is roughly 20 to 40 times faster
than LocalTalk. Therefore ethernet is recommended for all computer
connections, when possible, and for the school LAN "backbone" or
network distribution system.
1.1 Network Adapters and Software
Individual computers will require network or communications adapters
and appropriate software. Table 1 gives basic recommendations for
the computers most commonly found in schools. Basic communications
software is available in the public domain for many personal
computers at no cost. More sophisticated software is being developed
by a number of vendors for applications such as electronic mail,
distance learning, and multimedia database access. For example, the
California Technology Project is developing very easy to use software
for Macintosh and DOS or Windows PC computers that will enable access
to a wide variety of information resources and services. Schools
should look at all the available software and base choices on
required functionality and support costs as well as acquisition
costs.
In locations where computers will be purchased, the choice of
computer type should be driven by the availability of software for
the particular application(s) to be supported. Almost all modern
computers can be attached to the type of network described in this
document.
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RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
Equipment Type Network Adapter Communication
Software
________________________________________________________________________
Simple terminal "Network Access Server" Built-in to the
located centrally. networkaccess server.
Apple II, Amiga, Serial asynchronous Serial communications
Tandy, Commodore, port that will allow software that emulates
older IBM PCs, etc. connection to the a simple terminal.
above.
Newer IBM PC Ethernet adapter car TCP/IP "TSR" software,
with "10-base-T" port. for example "FTP
"Thin-net" port may be Software" package.
used in lab clusters. Additional software for
special appl.
Older Apple PhoneNet adapter MacTCP or equivalent
Macintosh computers (external) and shared plus "telnet" and "ftp".
LocalTalk to ethernet For example, NCSA
router, for example the Telnet. Additional
Shiva FastPath. software for special
applications, e.g.,
"electronic mail
client."
Newer Apple May use same as the Same as the above.
Macintosh computers above. For higher
performance, use an
ethernet adapter card
with "10-base-T port.
"Thin-net" port may be
used in lab clusters.
Unix workstations Ethernet adapter card, Typically comes with
if not already built in. the basic system.
Additional software
may be needed
for special
applications.
________________________________________________________________________
Table 1: Network Adapters and Software for Typical Computers
ISN Working Group [Page 10]
RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
1.2 Premise wiring
A major component of the implementation will be installation of
cabling to connect individual computers or clusters of computers to
the LAN. The recommended topology is a "star" where each computer is
wired directly to a "hub site" within the building as shown in
Figures 1 & 2. A cluster of computers, typically found in a teaching
lab or library, may be interconnected within the room where they are
installed, and the cluster connected to the hub site with a single
cable as shown in Figures 3 & 4.
The recommended premise wiring is "unshielded twisted pair" (UTP)
wire that meets the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) category
5 standards for high speed data communication service. (See
EIA/TIA-568 "Commercial Building Telecommunications Wiring
Standard.") While 2 pair cable may be adequate for most purposes,
industry standards recommend installation of 4 pair cable. The
difference in cost is minimal so we recommend installation of the
latter. One end of each cable terminates in a category 5 RJ-45 jack
(A standard RJ45 jack can be used for ethernet or lower speeds if
initial cost is amajor factor. Such jacks can be replaced with
category 5 versions later as needed.) located near the computer. The
other end terminates on a standard "110 distribution block" (In older
sites, M66 distribution blocks may already be installed. These can
be used for the time being but will not support newer higher speed
technologies.) at the hub site utility closet. A labeling scheme
must be chosen and strictly adhered to so that cables can be
identified at both ends later, as needed.
[Figure 1: Individual ethernet connection to the network]
[Figure 2: LocalTalk connection to the network]
In most cases, the hub site utility closet will be shared with
telephone services. It is essential that a separate wall area be set
aside within the closet for data service interconnections. Typically
there will be a "field" of interconnect blocks for termination of all
premise wires, another field for termination of trunk cables (used
for low speed data terminals), and a third field for hub equipment
ports. Interconnections between premise wiring blocks and hub or
trunk blocks are installed as needed in order to provide the
appropriate service to each location where communication service is
required.
[Figure 3: A cluster of computers connected to the network]
[Figure 4: A Macintosh cluster connection to the network]
ISN Working Group [Page 11]
RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
Installation of wiring in a building typically is performed by a
qualified data wiring contractor. This is a critical aspect of the
program and must be planned and installed professionally with both
current and future requirements in mind. (See "Virtual Schoolhouse -
A Report to the Legislature on Distribution Infrastructures for
Advanced Technologies in the Construction of New Schools, K through
12" (Department of General Services, State of California, February,
1993) for example conduit and utility closet plans.) To be prepared
for future distribution of video signals, school network planners
should consider installation of RG-59 coaxial cable to those
locations where video may be required at the same time that the UTP
premise wiring is being installed. The coaxial cable would terminate
on a wall plate mounted "F" connector in the classroom, and would be
left unterminated in the utility closet. Future technologies may
support video signals over other media so the installation of RG-59
cable should be limited to near term potential requirements.
It will be cost effective to install premise wiring to as many
locations as might ever serve a computer. This will include
administrative offices as well as classrooms, laboratories as well as
libraries. In high density locations such as offices, consideration
should be given to installation of two UTP cables to each outlet
location in order to provide the potential for several computers or
workstations. Terminating both cables on the same wall plate will
add little to the overall wiring project costs and will add greatly
to the flexibility of the system. Premise wiring that is not to be
used initially will not be connected to any electronics in the hub
site.
Hub sites should be utility closets or other protected, non-occupied
areas. Hub sites can be created by construction of small closets or
cabinets in low use areas. A hub site must be located within 300
feet of any connection. Typically, multiple hub sites are required
in large or multi-story buildings.
1.3 Network Distribution System
All hub sites within a school must be interconnected to complete the
school LAN. The design of this network distribution system will
depend greatly on the physical layout of the school buildings. We
assume that ethernet technology will be used since higher speed
technology is still quite expensive.
[Figure 5: A complete small school LAN]
If all hub sites are within 300 cable feet of a central location,
then 10-base-T wiring can be used from a central hub to connect each
hub site, as shown in Figure 5. If longer distances are required,
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RFC 1709 K-12 Internetworking Guidelines November 1994
either thin-net or standard thick ethernet can be used. Fiber optic
cable can be used if distance requires it and funding permits. (If
fiber optic cable is installed, consideration should be given to
including both multimode fiber for current and future data
requirements and single mode fiber for video and future very high
speed data systems.) Specific design of the "backbone" network
distribution system will depend on the layout of the buildings to be
served.
With proper design as many as 250 computers can be connected to a
single ethernet segment. Most often the practical maximum number
will be much lower than this due to the amount of data sent onto the
network by each computer. For planning purposes, one can assume
100-125 computers per segment. Beyond that size the network must be
subdivided using "subnetworks". Design of a such a system is not
difficult, but is beyond the scope of this document.
The network distribution system cabling should include unshielded
multi-pair trunk cabling as well as ethernet trunk cabling. The
multi-pair trunk cable will be needed to connect terminals or older
computers emulating terminals to a central "network access server"
(NAS). A typical NAS can serve from 8 to 128 such connections. It
is most cost effective to provide one per LAN, if needed. The NAS
connects directly to the ethernet LAN.
1.4 Local Network Server
It is highly recommended that each school install a "network server"
to support local storage of commonly used information, software,
electronic mail, and other functions that may require high speed
communication to the users computer. Since the connection to the
outside network will be much slower than the school LAN, it will be
most efficient to access information locally. In particular,
software that is to be shared among the schools computers must be
stored locally since it would be very tedious to transfer it across
the slower external link. The network server will be connected
directly to the ethernet network.
The location of the server should be chosen carefully to ensure its
protection from abuse and environmental damage. Traditionally the
school library is the focus of information gathering and storage
activities and many school libraries have clusters of computers or
terminals already installed. The library would be a very logical
place to locate the network server computer. The Network Router (see
below) might also be located there if a suitable utility space is not
available.
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The network server will be a small but powerful computer with a large
amount of disk storage capacity, typically 1-4 gigabytes. It will
run software capable of supporting access by a large number of users
simultaneously. It could also support dial-in access from teachers
or students homes using standard inexpensive modems. (Access control
with user authentication is essential if dial-in service is to be
provided.) If more than a few modems are to be installed, a NAS
might prove more cost effective. If dial-in access is to be provided
to more than a few school sites within a district, a single central
modem pool maintainted at the district offices will be the most cost
effective.
1.5 External Connection
A single communication circuit will connect the school LAN to the
local school district offices. In the school, there will be a
Network Router attached between the LAN and this circuit. On the LAN
side, the connection will be a typical ethernet cable. On the
external side, the connection will depend on the type of
communication circuit used, as discussed in step 2 below.
Step 2: Interconnection of Schools with District Offices
All schools within a district should be connected individually to the
network router at the school district offices. This "star topology"
will be much easier to manage and the capacity of each schools
connection can be increased appropriately as needs change.
Several standard communication circuit services may be used to effect
this connection. The least expensive for situations where only
limited use is needed will be dial-up using high speed modems.
However, this type of connection is not recommended for serious usage
due to its very limited capacity. Also, since most schools receive
telephone service under business tariffs, usage will be measured and
the cost will be dependent on how long the connection is maintained.
This will be true in general for other "switched services" as well
such as "switched-56" and ISDN. Dedicated (permanently installed)
communications circuits are strongly recommended since they will
allow unattended access to and from the school network at all hours.
This will be particularly important if information files are to be
down-loaded during the night to local network servers or teachers and
students are to access the schools information resources from home.
Table 2 shows the most common options for dedicated circuit services.
Costs are indicated in relative terms since they vary greatly by
location and as tariffs are modified. The exact costs must be
determined by contacting local communications service providers.
Total cost must take into account the equipment needed at each
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location as well.
Type of Circuit Data Rate Relative cost
________________________________________________________________________
Voice grade leased 20 kilobits per sec modest*
telephone line (Kb/s)
ADN-56 56 Kb/s high
ISDN, where 64 or 128 Kb/s modest**
available
Low power radio 64 to 256 Kb/s high startup
cost
Frame Relay 56 Kb/s to 1.5 Mb/s modest to high
DS1 1.5 megabits per sec very high
________________________________________________________________________