Internet Access and Infrastructure

Network services focus on providing the necessary tools and trained staff to provide secure and cost effective resources necessary to support the telecommunications between the school district and the WNYRIC data centers, and amongst the school buildings within the district, plus access to the Internet. Please refer to service code 650.840 for full service details. This service includes:

• Technical and administrative support of the shared broadband network.
• UPS and enterprise Broadband switch with monitoring capabilities.
• Gigabit Interface Converters (GBIC) to link the transmission equipment from Time Warner to the district network core equipment.
• Sophisticated testing and troubleshooting equipment and training for each Senior LAN Network Engineer  
• Network Security on the shared broadband network through firewall, intrusion prevention systems and network sniffing technologies.
• Use of enterprise based monitoring tools to maintain and support the shared broadband network in a cost effective manner.
• E-rate application fees are included
• Support of a limited number of Remote Access via the Web licenses to access critical technical resources (hardware and software) in the school district (VPN) securely by linking to school district Active Directory.
• Network Architectural - Engineering support and review for building projects and expansion, as it relates to the network infrastructures.
• Network Engineering support utilizing industry best practices and technical guidance specifically to ensure compliance with said practices.

• Provide the WNYRIC with the name and telephone number of a district contact person for reported problems.

• The District will sign FCC Form 479, CIPA Certification (Children's Internet Protection Act.)
• The District will prepare a Technology Plan that will be approved by the NYS Education Department.
• The District will select an appropriate contact person to assist with the filing of the E-Rate application.
• The District will attend educational seminars conducted by WNYRIC and designed to help the district understand the E-Rate requirements and the district's responsibility in the process.
• The District will provide WNYRIC with information to complete the E-Rate forms and the attachments needed to substantiate the requested amounts.
• The Districts will provide data to satisfy the review process if necessary.

• Determine the Network architecture for the region.
• Recommend line transmission speeds, based on continuous line utilization studies.
• Manage and support the required software applications for network management and control.
• Determine the most efficient and economical network configuration and communications equipment needed to connect schools to the central site in West Seneca and wide area network.
• Periodically redesigns the network, based on capacity utilization studies.
• Provides first level of telephone assistance and problem determination to on-line customers for problem resolution of terminal/microcomputer failures, communications network failure, poor response time complaints, or general questions.
• Availability is 24 x 7 (nights and week-ends unattended) with occasional maintenance periods scheduled typically on Wednesdays from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm, or Saturdays from 7:00 am to 9:00 am.
• Provide second and third levels of telephone and onsite support for problems not resolved at level one.
• Determines annual shared costs of service for telecommunication charges and equipment maintenance.
• Coordinate, manage and assist all districts in the annual filing of E-Rate applications.

The WNYRIC utilizes cost effective best practices determined by research that allows our experienced and trained technical staff to perform robust testing and support of the WNYRIC network in the areas of security, infrastructure, energy management, virtualization strategies, disaster recovery and business continuity. Therefore, we are able to be a district advocate for vendor contract issues and aggressively negotiate contract pricing and performance terms.   Staff follow best practices in order to provide necessary security as it relates to the most recent student, teacher and principal data security and privacy regulations.

Service Desk can be reached Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. by calling (716) 821-7171, 1-800-872-0780. A representative will be available from 4:30 p.m. through 11:00 p.m. to assist you with calls regarding emergency situations. During all other hours and holidays, a caller will receive important information regarding coverage.