Networking Products

In the world of computers, networking is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing data and/or service.  Networks are built with a mix of computer hardware and computer software.  Networks can be categorised in several different ways.  One approach defines the type of network according to the geographic area it spans.  Local Area Networks (LANs), for example, typically reach across a single building/location whereas Wide Area Networks (WANs) reach across multiple locations. Incidentally - the Internet is the world's largest public WAN.

GV Technologies offers the full range of networking products.  These include copper, fibre optic and wireless networking together with all the switches and associated equipment to comply with best practice.

In addition to all the cabling, we provide a wide range of servers, network printers and storage devices to complete your network's hardware.  We currently recommend NEC servers, as we have extensive experience of NEC hardware delivering great performance and excellent value in the education environment over the longer term.

Traditional PC networks use a server to provide file storage and some other facilities, e.g. printing, to the PCs (or clients) on the network.  This is often called a client-server or fat client solution. 

Thin client solutions have been available for many years but these are becoming increasingly powerful and popular.  Thin client solutions involve more of the work being done by the server.  Typically the server will have all the processing capability and the client will be little more than a screen with a keyboard and mouse.  Clearly this requires much more powerful servers than with traditional fat client solutions.  The end user is also heavily reliant on excellent networking to ensure a responsive system.  As a result, video and audio are normally poorly presented on thin client solutions, often resulting in "jumpy" or "sticking" video and audio presentation.

However, thin client solutions offer a more centrally managed solution than traditional networks.  This often reduces the network management burden and can give considerable efficiencies.  This is particularly the case when software upgrades or new releases need to be implemented.  With a traditional network, this will usually require work on every machine on the network but with a thin client network it can all be achieved quickly and easily on the server or servers where all the processing is carried out.

NEC have now introduced a further enhancement of the thin client solution - the Virtual PC Center (VPCC).  This uses new thin client technology to provide enhanced communications over the network between the client and the server.  As a result, VPCC delivers high quality smooth presentation of video and audio.  VPCC can also offer integrated telephony.  VPCC offers users complete flexibility to have their computer session and a telephone number attached to the desk they are sitting at and to move it all with complete ease, speed and simplicity.

To help manage users on networks, particularly in ICT classrooms, we offer a range of network management software packages.  These enable greater control over individual machines and over groups of machines, e.g. in an ICT suite.  Particularly good products in this field include Ranger and SynchronEyes.  Ranger offers a wide range of facilities to prevent tampering with individual machine settings and installed software, thus reducing the risk of difficulties arising in a lesson due to required software not being available or the machine setup being in appropriate.  Ranger can also restrict access to network facilities and the Internet.  SynchronEyes is a particularly powerful classroom control package.  Designed to be used by a teacher leading a class, the package enables the teacher to monitor and control any or all workstations from the teacher's machine.  The teacher can also disable all machines in the classroom so that all pupils pay attention to the teacher.  Uniquely, SychronEyes can also work on PDAs in the same way as PCs.

With the increasing responsibilities placed on schools and employers to monitor and act on bullying and other forms of abuse, it is essential that appropriate control mechanisms are implemented to identify electronic forms of bullying, harassment and other abuse.  We are pleased to offer the unique Securus system as part of any network to address this increasingly important issue.  Securus works by checking every word that appears on the screen of any PC or laptop and comparing it to a dictionary of risk words.  When a risk word is identified, a screen shot is captured with date, time and user details.  This is then sent to a secure server when the network is next available.  The secure server can then take specified actions, including alerting senior managers to high risk words or record for subsequent review.  By reviewing the screenshots and speaking to the users as appropriate, potentially dangerous situations can be quickly addressed and future conduct changed.

We bring extensive knowledge and experience to educational networking.  We can design and implement all aspects of a network or build on an existing network.  We are also experts at converting and upgrading networks and implementing new and improved control facilities on existing or new networks.

We are always happy to discuss your requirements and provide a written proposal with guaranteed pricing to serious potential clients. Email us at info@gvtechnologies.com or call on 01604 899333.