Egypt: Ain Shams University Network in EgyptAin Shams University Network in Egypt

Customer Information

Ain Shams University, the third Egyptian university, was founded in July 1950 under the name "Ibrahim Pasha University". The university participated with the two earlier universities, "Cairo University" and "Alexandria University", in fulfilling the message of universities and meeting the increasing demand from youth for higher education. When first established, Ain Shams University comprised a number of distinguished faculties and academic institutes, which were later developed into the university. The University is now located in the area of the Zaafaran Palace, built during the regime of Khedive Ismail.

The Challenge
The university is not only demanding a campus network, but also a WAN to connect distant e-learning facilities to the citizens in Egypt. The network has to comply with the security requirements of government network, with connectivity to multiple departments.

Carrier-class reliability and high speed is required from the core network, with upgradeability to 10GE in mind.

Technology Solution
The network is a typical three-layer design: the core layer, the distribution layer, and the access layer. The core layer equipment connects to each other with 2.5G RPR links. The distribution layer connects to the core layer with 1GE links, the access layer has 10/100M links for users and 100/1000M links to the distribution link.

Because of the security requirements of government networks, MPLS VPN technology is deployed and separate different departments and bureaus by different VPNs. With the MPLS VPN technology, the network is able to control the connectivity of the government, the party, the congress, and guarantee QoS as well.

The core layer deploys Quidway® S8512 high-end Lanswitch. The S8512, a high-end router with redundant main control board and redundant power supply, is of carrier-class reliability. These units also have very high performance, with forwarding ability of 432Mpps. On aggregation layer, the S6506 switches provide 48Mpps forwarding ability.

The Benefits
The demand for high reliability, high stability, high performance, high security, high scalability are all satisfied.

Upon completion of the E-education network, the MCIT and Ain Shams University achieved the target they set during the year 2005. The new network became an open platform for both employees and citizens, and the working efficiency of E-education has been promoted.

(2008-03-11)