During the CCNP course which I took back in February, myself and a colleague got excited about all the things we were learning and how we should be applying these concepts back at work.  Things like 802.1x authentication and proper wireless security, voice over IP, even things as basic as VLANs – we didn’t (and still currently don’t) do any of it.

We started planning what we could do with our office network if let loose on it, and even began to draw up some plans.  Then a thought struck – this could be a service we offer to schools.  Schools in Kent (typically, not in all cases) have some fairly shocking networks.  There is a lot of cheap kit flying about, networks built from switches from a dozen different vendors, basic configuration out of whack, really quite bad stuff.

So, a service for schools….  We knew that we would need to put a fairly convincing case together to swing the idea by the management team, so with the office network in mind, we started building a service specification document in the mould of something that we could use when presenting to schools.  Two birds with one stone (is that a phrase used outside the UK?) – we would like the opportunity to overhaul our creaking office LAN, and this would give us the opportunity to present a case for renovation of our own environment, and offer a proof of concept for a service to schools.

I should point out that neither I or my colleague are currently involved in roles within our organisation where this sort of service would be part of our work.  We support the broadband service for schools, and this, although linked, is in a somewhat different direction.  There is an issue as to whether we are “available” to support such a service, but hopefully this case fairly simply be overcome.

I’m pleased to report that following a meeting with most of the management team our idea was accepted as a good one with some managers quite excited by the idea of bringing it to life.  What’s more, they were unified in their agreement that our LAN needs investment and agreement was made for us to lead its renovation.  A very successful meeting!

The head of unit suggested that we commission a couple of pilot school installations so that we may get an idea of whether the service will work, so a couple of lucky schools will get bought and paid for brand new networks in exchange for kind words and praise when we inevitably give them a lovely shiny new network (hopefully!).

Hopefully the start of something new and exciting, and something that my employers can be proud of for years to come.  Watch this space….