Fuzhou University's Digital Transformation

Network Management and Optical Network Innovation with Ruijie

Chapter 1: New Infrastructure for Smart Campus

CHAPTER 2: Enhanced Wireless Network Management

Two Decades of Transformation: Evolving into a Smart Campus through Digitalisation with Ruijie

Fuzhou University, a premier institution in Fujian Province, China, has embarked on a digital transformation journey in collaboration with Ruijie. As one of the country's key national universities, Fuzhou University serves approximately 50,000 students and 5,000 faculty members across its five campuses.

Since 2005, the university has partnered with Ruijie to advance campus network management and infrastructure. This strategic collaboration has been pivotal in driving digital transformation, optimising network performance, and fostering a modern, efficient campus environment.

10GNETWORK ACCESS

High-Speed Network Access

A comprehensive upgrade to a 10G backbone and gigabit-to-desktop network access has been implemented, ensuring seamless connectivity for both teaching and research activities.

IPV6

Advance Network Coverage

Establishment of a fully optical LAN with dual 10G interconnect backbone and IPv4/IPv6 dual-stack access, covering 60 academic buildings and 78 dormitories.

12,300WIRELESS APs

Extensive Network Deployment

Installation encompasses 1,504 network devices, 12,300 wireless access points, and 660,000 meters of optical fiber, providing support for over 40,000 wired and 60,000 wireless terminals.

5880vCPU IN CLOUD PLATFORM

Robust Cloud Platform

CERNET Fuzhou node cloud platform offering 5,880 vCPUs and 1,213.8 TB of storage, providing strong support for research and teaching activities.

Overcoming Challenges in Campus Network Management: Fuzhou University's Path to Digitalisation

As universities evolve from basic digital infrastructure to advanced digitalisation, networks are essential in driving this transformation.

Fuzhou University faced numerous challenges in optimising its campus network management:

Outdated Facilities

The 20-year-old network infrastructure, with outdated cabling and equipment, no longer meets the increasing demands of staff and students.

Security Risks

Disordered access, complex dormitory network wiring, and cluttered equipment rooms, resulting from early management deficiencies, compromise both network and fire safety.

Limited Network Capacity

Limited network capacity hinders access to high-demand resources and applications.

Maintenance Issues

Aging equipment and infrastructure complicate the maintenance of multiple networks. Additionally, online live teaching increases workload demands, requiring both high bandwidth and low latency.

Increasing Demand

The post-pandemic shift in education has heightened the demands for both performance and stability.

Enhancing Educational Infrastructure with SOE

Fuzhou University is adopting a Simplified Optical Ethernet (SOE) campus network due to its benefits in educational settings, ease of operation and compatibility, and its role in providing a secure and reliable foundation for digital campus development. This step is crucial for the university's digital transformation.

The trend of replacing copper with optical fiber is becoming increasingly clear. Optical fiber can have a lifespan of up to 30 years and support bandwidths reaching terabit levels, said Yue Zhiqiang, Director of the Network Security and Informatization Office at Fuzhou University.

Smart Classrooms

Fibre-to-the-room supports high-bandwidth applications such as screen sharing and multi-screen interactions, allowing for easy expansion and optimal performance.

Dormitories

Upgrading to a "one fibre per room, one device per room" setup from outdated twisted-pair cables significantly enhances bandwidth and network performance.

Specialised Networks

A 96-core all-optical Ethernet backbone provides a "10G backbone, 1G access, and 1G to the desktop," along with virtualised networks to support specialised services like party-building and IoT.

Virtual Simulation

High bandwidth is essential for virtual simulations and metaverse integration, which is supported by the all-optical network.

Cloud Services

The all-optical network meets the demands for high bandwidth, stability, and low latency required for cloud desktops and computing.

Key Achievements in Digital Transformation with SOE Solution

Fuzhou University's deployment of the SOE Solution has realised significant success across three key areas:

Full Optical Architecture and Fiber-to-the-Room

This approach alleviates the burden on corridor cable trays and simplifies the deployment, relocation, and addition of data points within rooms. This enhancement in optical network infrastructure significantly improves network management and efficiency.

SDN Technology Integration

By systematically integrating various dedicated networks and connecting them with the carrier’s 5G network, the university has established a unified 5G campus private network. This development fosters a cohesive digital campus infrastructure and accelerates digital transformation.

Comprehensive Wi-Fi 6 Coverage

The widespread implementation of Wi-Fi 6 across the campus provides high-bandwidth access at all times and locations. This facilitates uninterrupted learning, research, and communication, thereby advancing the university’s educational, information management, and service capabilities.

Leading the Digital Evolution: Fuzhou University's Strategic Network Transformation with Ruijie

Fuzhou University decides to further collaborate with Ruijie, to build a next-generation campus network that integrates wired, wireless, 5G, and IoT technologies. This initiative includes the development of the SOE Solution, deployment of Wi-Fi 6 access points, and enhancements to 5G and IPv6 capabilities, all aimed at promoting smart education through advanced technology pilots.

As the digital landscape shifts from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0, the university's network must evolve to be intelligent, adaptable, and high-speed, providing seamless internet access, real-time data interaction, and low-latency connectivity across campus. This strategic approach positions Fuzhou University as a leader in network management, optical networking, and digital transformation within the education sector.

Learn More About Ruijie's SOE Solutions for Higher Education

Challenges in Expanding Digital Campus Footprint

As Fuzhou University expands its digital campus across multiple locations in three provinces in China, covering 1.68 million square meters and incorporating thousands of access points (APs), it faces new and complex challenges in network management and scalability.

Challenges in Network Management and Performance

Effectively managing network demands across geographically dispersed campuses with thousands of access points, ensuring seamless operations, and promptly addressing any issues to maintain optimal network performance is critical.

Managing High-Density Areas and User Expectations

Providing reliable network performance in high-density areas such as classrooms and dormitories, where network failures can disrupt teaching activities and impact student life, is essential to meet user expectations.

Overcoming External Challenges and Traditional Management Limitations

Navigating challenges such as external interference, fluctuating user scales, and the inherent limitations of traditional network management approaches requires innovative solutions.

Implementation of WIS - Network Digital Twin Solution

Fuzhou University utilises Ruijie's WIS solution for comprehensive management of its wireless network, demonstrating its advanced capabilities in optimisation and maintenance that are crucial for digital transformation.

User-Centric Network Management

The WIS Network Digital Twin Platform evolves from a device-centric model to one focused on user experience. It provides end-to-end digital services across the network lifecycle, including planning, construction, management, maintenance, optimisation, diagnosis, prediction, and decision-making.

Predictive Maintenance

The platform effectively tackles challenges such as network invisibility and maintenance complexity. It supports rapid deployment, ensures high business continuity, facilitates fully automated operations, and enhances user experience. This technology allows Fuzhou University to address network maintenance issues with greater visibility and customisation.

Simplifying Network Management with WIS

WIS has helped the university to tackle network visibility and user experience challenges by offering precise AP location tracking and a 3D map for real-time insights. The roaming playback feature improved user experience, and this integrated approach also reduced troubleshooting time and costs.

Improving Network Visibility

High-Precision AP Location
Automatically locates thousands of APs with sub-meter accuracy, syncing real-world conditions to the digital twin platform.
3D Map-Based Operations
Provides a detailed 3D map of campus networks, showing device locations and signal coverage from various perspectives.

Enhancing User Experience

Roaming Playback
Tracks device movements and network connections to pinpoint issues, such as sticky APs during roaming, improving troubleshooting efficiency.

For example, if a device reports connectivity issues in a specific location, the platform can trace its connection history to identify problems, such as a sticky AP during roaming, thereby saving troubleshooting time.

Streamlining Maintenance

Step 1 One-Click Diagnostics

Quickly identifies and resolves faults within minutes, improving maintenance efficiency.

Step 2 Rapid AP Location

Efficiently locates and diagnoses faulty APs.

Step 4 Remote Management

Reduces on-site time by enabling remote maintenance, minimising network downtime and its impact on educational activities.

Step 3 Preventive Tuning

Analyses historical data to proactively address issues before they arise.

Transforming Networks with WIS From Campus to Industry

The WIS Network Digital Twin Platform revolutionises complex network systems by converting them into intuitive, visual representations. This innovative platform uncovers hidden data to optimise wireless performance, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency. Originally deployed in the higher education sector, WIS has since expanded its reach to national retail chains, large industrial parks, and extensive branch networks. With a user base exceeding 1.3 billion and over 8 million connected devices, WIS leads the way in network management, optical network technology, and digital transformation.

Learn more about WIS

Tags:

Asia Pacific

SOE

Wireless

WIS

Higher Education

Smart Campus