Wisconsin District Virtualizes Successfully with NComputing and Lightspeed
School / District: Menomonee Falls SD
State: Wisconsin
District Size: 4,000 students
Solution: Total Traffic Control
Focus: nComputing, Virtualization
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Overview
A primary challenge in today’s schools is increasing computer access for students while living
within the constraints of a tight, and sometimes dwindling, technology budget. One solution to
this challenge is virtualization, which allows multiple students to access a single computer.
Menomonee Falls School District looked to desktop virtualization in order to enable multiple
students to simultaneously access a single PC. But in order for their virtualization efforts to be
successful, they needed to ensure that virtual sessions had the same security, filtering, monitoring,
and reporting as regular sessions.
Challenge
Like many districts, Menomonee Falls faced the problem of insufficient funds for new
computers, coupled with the desire to provide more students with greater computer access.
Network manager Larry Cayo turned to NComputing virtualization, which allows four to seven
students to use a single computer. Each NComputing X300 kit includes virtualization software,
a PCI card, and three access devices. The card, which plugs into a standard PCI slot in the
shared computer, has three RJ-45 ports that connect via standard network cables (which also
supply power) to the access devices. To create a separate workstation, standard peripherals, such
as keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, and headphone, hook up to each access device.
Cayo recognized that the benefits of virtualization would be undone if the virtual sessions
didn’t adhere to the same policies, and result in the same reporting, as regular sessions. The
district already utilized Lightspeed Total Traffic Control for network monitoring, management,
security, filtering, and email archiving. Cayo needed to ensure that the he would receive
the same comprehensive control and reporting over his virtualized environment.
Solution
Because Total Traffic Control is uniquely able to identify users on virtual machines,
Cayo was able to realize the benefits of virtualization without risking the security of his
network or the safety of his students. With the Mobile Guide Filter installed on the host to
provide remote filtering, Cayo is able to pinpoint users who violate, or attempt to violate,
Acceptable Use Policies—so policies can be enforced and protection guaranteed.
Lightspeed Systems and NComputing worked together to combine the benefits of tailored K-12
security and desktop virtualization. “Lightspeed Systems was absolutely part of our decision to
use NComputing. We were already using its anti-virus protection, content filtering, and email
archiving. Learning how well it worked with NComputing made the move easy,” comments Cayo.
Cayo first upgraded the high school’s science area, with three NComputing X300 hosts each
serving four desktops “Once we had Lightspeed authenticating users on the host for reporting
and Lightspeed Security Manager providing desktop antivirus protection, they were thrilled,”
says Cayo of the science department staff. Cayo is thrilled because each NComputing host
represents an upgrade savings of about $2,500. “We’re currently in the process of renovating
our high school and could place up to ten more NComputing hosts this summer.”
In fact, the deployment has been so successful, Cayo says the district’s replacement cycle will be
revised so that over the next year instead of replacing computers in lab or group settings, NComputing
solutions will be deployed. “As we re-visit more labs, we will be looking to use NComputing and
Lightspeed more because it saves us lots of money by extending the life of our desktops.”
Conclusion
With Lightspeed Systems’s Total Traffic Control, Menomonee Falls is able to authenticate
virtual users and secure the desktop in the new virtualization setup—at no extra cost. With
comprehensive management, security, and reporting on each virtual session, the district is able
to ensure that the cost-savings of virtualization don’t result in a higher price paid in reduced
student safety or network security. As a result of the test project’s savings and overall effectiveness,
the district has revised its replacement cycle to include more NComputing solutions.
About Total Traffic Control
Monitor, manage, filter, and secure your school’s network with a single solution
Total Traffic Control is the complete solution for managing your school network’s usage, health,
and security. With this comprehensive solution you can monitor user activity, ensure Acceptable
Use Policies are being followed (on email, the Web, or the desktop—both on the network
and off), reduce dangerous and costly security threats, ensure school resources are utilized
safely and effectively, and easily view and share critical information with custom reports.
About Lightspeed
Lightspeed Systems Inc., founded in 2000, develops comprehensive network security and management
solutions for the education market. We are committed to helping schools operate their networks
effectively and efficiently, so educators can provide safe online teaching and learning environments.
Our software is used in more than 1,000 school districts in the United States, the United Kingdom,
and Australia to protect more than 5 million students. For the past two years, Lightspeed Systems
has been recognized on the Inc. 5,000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies.