CDW-G networks Calif. library district
The company is using Cisco Systems-based technology to boost citizen services while ensuring security.
CDW Government has deployed a Cisco Systems-based network for the Palos Verdes Library District in California.
CDW-G worked with information technology services partner Affidia Systems to install the network, which includes wireless and wired components. The network deployment aims to boost citizen services, while providing security features to protect library data.
A Cisco 3845 router -- housed at library’s main branch -- resides at the network’s core. Two remote branches are connected with a T1 line.
Each branch uses Cisco 1240AG wireless access points that are linked to a Cisco wireless local-area network controller, which is located at the main branch. The infrastructure lets the library offer wireless broadband Internet access to patrons. The hilly terrain in the Palos Verdes area has made wireless access difficult for many residents, CDW-G said.
On the network, computers assigned for customer Internet and reference database access are separated from systems the library staff uses. Because of the segmentation, library users cannot access confidential data such as customer addresses and phone numbers.
Staff computers, patron computers and notebook computers that customers bring to the library for hot spot access have separate service set identifiers, which differentiate wireless networks. Each identifier is part of a separate virtual LAN.
As another security measure, patron PCs on the Wi-Fi hot spot are not permitted to interact with one another. This prevents the inadvertent transmission of viruses through the library network, according to CDW-G and Affidia Systems.