Education Service Center, Region 20 (ESC-20) provides a variety of Internet services beyond internet access. These include content filtering, content monitoring, domain name registration, e-mail accounts, e-mail scanning, remote backup, secondary DNS, Sharepoint hosting and web site traffic analyis services.
ESC-20 provides Internet access to districts, schools and other educational entities. To ensure optimal security, ESC-20 uses Fortigate and Packeteer devices to secure and manage bandwidth. The Fortigate detects and eliminates the most damaging threats such as viruses, worms, intrusions, in real time without degrading network performance. The Packeteer monitors and shapes traffic in real-time to maximize application throughput across the network infrastructure. In addition to securing Internet traffic ESC-20 can assist in identifying security threats and securing internal networks from intrusion by evaluating various security measures.
Instead of connecting to different Internet service providers who often use separate national carriers for paths to the Internet, Region 20 schools can connect to netVision20 and become part of a wide area network (WAN) with a central hub in San Antonio. netVision20 educators can communicate with each other and many other organizations on the Time Warner Cable San Antonio and Texas Educational Telecommunications Network (TETN) networks without having to travel an excessive number of "hops" around the state or across the nation. This centralized architecture is strategic to delivering services beyond Internet access that include videoconferencing, distance learning, online resources and access to the ESC-20 mainframe - offerings not available through most traditional Internet service providers.
In designing Internet access, ESC-20 has chosen a standard set of equipment, protocols and other elements to reduce the complexity in deploying and maintaining the wide area network. These choices have also been made with the intention of evolving Internet access from conventional routing to high speed Ethernet switching as part of the ESC-20's long-term strategy to increase capacity and efficiency. This design also has the flexibility to provide advanced data services and mainframe resources from ESC-20 in the future with minimum changes to the basic equipment required for Internet access.
As part of the Internet access, clients will receive an access port, IP address and technical support.
Access port
ESC-20 will provide a dedicated port at the ESC-20 hub for T-1 or GigaMAN level access to the wide area network. Additional ports may be secured by the client as needed to connect additional circuits for increased bandwidth. The client will be billed the standard monthly access fee for each port.
IP Address Allocation
ESC-20 will allocate IP addresses for the Client up to a maximum justifiable number as determined by the size of the network. Should the Client require a number of addresses beyond what can be provided by ESC-20, the Client must obtain the additional addresses directly from the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN). In any case, the Client will be advised to conserve addresses by implementing a firewall, network address translation (NAT), or dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP). These technologies are very effective in reducing public address space requirements while maintaining full capabilities and performance for the Client’s end users.
Technical Support
During the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, ESC-20 support staff will be available for telephone assistance regarding routers, DNS and systems related to Internet access.
Client Requirements Clients must acquire and pay for their own T1 or GigaMAN circuit.Clients are also responsible for acquiring and configuring routers, servers and other connectivity and computer equipment required for their sites.
ESC-20 will assist clients as needed to define the specifications for this equipment, purchase it through the clients own preferred vendors or the ESC-20 Technology Purchasing Co-op, and configure it for operation. Installation services are available through ESC-20 at an additional fee.
