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Akofang Balebetse from Botswana BEng Computers and Networks University of Essex, UK Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology Department of information Technology Network Section. About Botswana.
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Akofang Balebetse from BotswanaBEng Computers and Networks University of Essex, UKMinistry of Communication, Science and TechnologyDepartment of information TechnologyNetwork Section
About Botswana • landlocked country in Southern Africa- has population of 1.7million people- jewel of Africa – with unspoilt delta and wildlife.
Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology • Comprises of 4 departments • Information and Technology • Btv • Information Services • Government Printers and Publishers
What I do…….. • Provide connection and support of all government services/applications to all government ministries/departments. • Management; administration; maintenance of all government data network devices. • Advice on all ICT related matters /standards – e.g. naming, cabling standards, etc.
Our Network…….. • Broadband Backbone – high speed network provided by BTC. • 8 nodes: 2Mbps connection between most nodes and 256kbps on other sites. • Regional connection – less expensive: BTC’s frame relay and ATM protocols. • Most services are in Gaborone; star/ring topology; redundancy and resiliency.
Leased line connection – 64kbps as default; up to 2Mbps. • Dial-up services; RAS (Remote Access Servers).
1. Campus LAN: - Core: Extreme switches (Black Diamond/Alpine/Summit) ;support Layers2/3 - BTC’s ring fibre - BD/Alpine: Gigabit - Other Cisco switches and Routers. - Currently: upgrade on to run at Gigabit: tender evaluation stage 2. WMAN - Only in Gaborone at the moment. - For special sites: interactive applications that require more than 2Mbps supplied by BTC. - Cisco Aero net 350 series - Thinking VSAT for sites where BTC cannot provide. - BW is up to 11Mbps Successful Projects
3. Video Streaming - 1st country in Africa to have installed this. - for schools/colleges: to run educational programs + internet access. - via Btv Transponder - Bonus: Government officers are able to watch tv in their offices using their PCs/Laptops. - 4 pilot schools currently 4. Police Microwave - Police use this for their car radios or walkie/talkie; - We use it for data; even connect sites nearby mostly by fibre. Successful projects cont….
5. Internet Access ISP – to government via Btv Transponder; 1Mbps upload and 4Mbps download Service provider - Norwegian company 100Mbps Laser link between core and Btv; problem – no access when foggy or rainy. Ministries/department access at no cost – cost recovery on planning process. Successful projects cont….
coming…….. WITFOR (World Information Technology Forum) – Conference in Aug 31st to Sept 2nd 2005 • Botswana will be hosting this • 800 delegates/participants expected. • Preparations are on • Sponsorship from companies world wide • If successful: Botswana will be marked as “Africa’s ICT hub”.
Problems……. • HIV/AIDS scourge