Gridspeak Dec 2011.pdf - LGfL

Issue 1 December 2011CONTENTSWelcome to this first editionof Gridspeak - a brand newpublication to keep you up to datewith everything that’s happeningin the world of LGfL 2.0.Comingto a Schoolnear youTop FiveServicesNewlearningresourcesfor a newnetworkWe’ll let you know all about howthe introduction of the new LGfL 2.0network from Virgin Media Business isgoing with news and views from someof the teams at the front line. We’ll tellyou all about the new tools and contentyou can use, and update you on storiesfrom around the boroughs about thegreat things that LGfL is helping schoolsto create and provide.We hope you’ll enjoy readingthis and sharing it with yourcolleagues. If you have anysuggestions for topics you’d likeus to cover, please drop us a lineat office@lgfl.org.ukLGfL has brought a fresh approachto providing broadband services forLondon schools. With the loss of thesubsidy from the Harnessing TechnologyGrant, schools faced a massive increasein costs. But by challenging industry fora new solution, we have been able tooffset much of the effect of cuts, andsecure the new technology that willunderpin our development for the nextten years.“You can’t take childrenback in time or transportthem all the way around theglobe, but with the use oftechnology the world - pastand present - can be broughtinto the classroom. Forchildren to grow, developand acquire the skills tohelp them get on in life oreven to become the nextbig entrepreneur, inventoror Hollywood star, the UKhas to create a dynamic andtechnically advanced learningenvironment.The London Grid for Learningproject is a hugely importantinvestment for Virgin MediaBusiness and we hope it willcreate an unrivalled blueprintenabling schools and collegesto transform the way childrenlearn and education isdelivered.”Sir Richard BransonGridSpeak_V14.indd 1 25/11/2011 16:54

FAQs:FrequentlyAskedQuestionsQ. Why does VirginMedia Businesshave to dig on ourpremises whenwe already havea connection toLGfL1?A. We’re providing a new fibreconnection to each school. Onour planning visit, we’ll find thebest and most suitable route fromthe network outside the schoolto your communications room inthe school.Q. Will we need more spacein our ‘comms cabinet’?A. Back in 2001, LGfL1 wasbased on the best technologyavailable at the time. LGfL 2.0is a completely new networkusing the most up-to-datetechnology to supply greaterbandwidth and flexibility. Thenew network is more secure,with a dedicated firewall onevery site. It is also fibrebasedwhich means it can beupdated in line with futureimprovements to the network.The new equipment for thisneeds extra space.Q. Why can’t you use theexisting ducting?A. Where possible Virgin MediaBusiness will use existing ducts,but they are not allowedto share other serviceproviders ducts.Q. If we have to wait along time for our newconnection, why is this?A. There are more than 2000schools to connect to the newservice before the end of June2012. So the programme isphased, as agreed with LGfL.Q. How long will thework take?A. This depends on each site.However, the survey shouldtake no more than 90 minutesand the fit and test will takeabout two and a half hours.Civil engineering such asducting and cabling workoutside of the school willtake longer, but we can usuallycomplete this in advance.For a longer list of frequently asked questionsplease see the FAQ tab in the secure area atwww.support.lgfl.netGridSpeak_V14.indd 3 25/11/2011 16:54

What’s new?New learning resources content fora new networkLGfL online resources will help teachers acrossLondon, supporting learning activities both in theirdaily activities and outside the school day.Top fiveservicesLGfL 2.0 brings you a whole host of invaluablecommunication services and educationalapplications. In every issue, we’ll be bringingyou our “Top 5” recommendations.1. Internet filteringYou can manage your own filteringpolicy, or upgrade at no additionalcost to user-level filtering which,lets you apply different policies todifferent groups.2. Safe browsing for allage groupsWith different group policies,website filtering will be basedon USO account. This allowsyou to apply an initial policy toeveryone, but if someone triesto open a blocked page they willbe asked for their USO account.This will then allow their ownspecific filtering policy to applyto their browsing session. Inother words, safe browsing forall, but not restrictive to all.3. Anti-virusLGfL 2.0 provides anti-virusprotection for all schoolcomputers as long as they havea USO account.“I should save £3,500 a year on making the school’s PCs andservers secure using the Sophos services provided by LGfL2.0.”Ian Serrao, Network Manager, Ealing School4. Secure remote accessSecure access, anywhere andanytime. Staff will be able to workfrom home and access systems andresources on the school networkusing LGfL’s RAv3 secure remoteaccess solution.STOP PRESS – LGfL has just tiedup a deal to add to the LGfL 2.0 suiteof included services for your school notonly RAv3 but also the “CentraStage” ITSystems Management Software providingsecure, audited remote access into everyconnected device, from anywhere, as wellas providing a complete hardware andsoftware inventory of a school network.Use of CentraStage does however requirethe purchase of a security tag at £25(minimum quantity of four, plus £10 p&p)for use by the school’s LGfL NominatedContact. Visit www.centrastage.lgfl.net formore information.5. Exclusive for secondary schoolsNew off-site secure data back-upstorage of 100Gb is provided, includingall server licences.To get best value from your LGfL 2.0 connection, its wellworth checking out all the latest LGfL online learningresources. The learning resources portfolio is expandingcontinually – and reaching all parts of the curriculum.With the new LGfL 2.0 connection, all schools andacademies across London can access a wide range of topquality, exclusive content to support teaching. LGfL hasrecently been working with a range of new partners,including the Royal Collection, the Museum of London,the National Theatre and the Ben Uri Art Gallery.New for Autumn 2011Ben Uri GalleryArt Skills for teacherswww.artskills.lgfl.netNational Theatre’sTwelfth Nightwww.twelfthnight.lgfl.netGridstoreWe’re also pleased to be able to tell you aboutthis new application available from LGfL.Gridstore offers a secure off-site back-up service. Itis much better value than any similar alternative wecan find, and includes the necessary licencesto enable back-up from all the main datasources. It is flexibly priced, so you only payfor what you need. You can find moreinformation at www.gridstore.lgfl.netFor further information about the full rangeof LGfL learning resources go to:www.content.lgfl.netGridSpeak_V14.indd 4 25/11/2011 16:55