FS Large and Midsize Campus Network Solution: Seamless Connectivity for Every Corner

Campus networks are the backbone of organizational communication and productivity. With increasing demands for high-speed internet, robust security, and seamless connectivity, traditional large and midsize campus networks face numerous challenges. FS has designed a comprehensive network solution to address these challenges and ensure that every corner of a campus enjoys stable and reliable connectivity. This blog delves into the specific problems faced by traditional campus networks and how FS Large and Midsize Campus Network Solution offers seamless, high-performance connectivity.

Challenges Faced by Traditional Large and Midsize Campus Network Architectures

Management and Maintenance Difficulties

Traditional campus network architectures often suffer from complex management and maintenance issues.

• Inconsistent Operating Systems: The lack of a unified operating system across different network devices complicates management and maintenance, as each device might require different command lines and protocols.

• Complex Topology: Large campus networks typically include multiple subnets, aggregation layers, access layers, and core devices. This complex topology makes unified management and monitoring challenging.

Poor Network Experience Caused by Insufficient Bandwidth

The ever-increasing demand for bandwidth within enterprise networks presents significant challenges that traditional infrastructures struggle to overcome.

• Surge in Users and Devices: In large and midsize campus networks, the increase in users and connected devices (such as computers, smartphones, and IoT devices) significantly raises bandwidth demands. Traditional network bandwidth design may not accommodate this additional load.

• Use of High-Bandwidth Applications: The rise in high-bandwidth applications, such as video conferencing, online streaming, cloud services, and large file transfers, rapidly consumes network resources.

• Outdated Infrastructure: If the network infrastructure is outdated and cannot support high-speed bandwidth (such as Gigabit Ethernet or higher), bottlenecks are likely to occur.

• Insufficient Network Planning: Initial network planning may not have adequately anticipated future expansion needs, leading to insufficient bandwidth to support current business growth.

Network Reliability and Security Vulnerabilities

Ensuring network reliability and security is crucial for the seamless operation of any large and midsize campus network. Traditional network architectures often face significant challenges in this regard, leading to vulnerabilities and potential disruptions.

• Network Attacks: The sheer number of devices, users, and data flowing through a campus network makes it vulnerable to various network attacks. This is often caused by lax access control that results in employees having more access than necessary for their roles, increasing the risk of misuse. Moreover, inadequate user authentication and logging make it difficult to detect and respond to abnormal behavior promptly.

• Unstable Network: An unstable network can significantly disrupt business operations due to several factors: lack of redundancy and failover mechanisms, single points of failure, poor network configuration, inadequate monitoring and maintenance, external interferences, and limited scalability. These issues lead to downtime and operational disruptions when critical devices fail or when the network can't handle increased traffic and new devices.

Network Expansion and Upgrade Issues

Traditional campus networks are often built with fixed, static configurations that make it difficult to implement upgrades or expansions. Adding new devices or increasing capacity usually requires extensive reconfiguration, which is time-consuming and costly. Common causes for upgrade issues include:

• Emergence of New Standards: New network standards such as Wi-Fi 6, 5G, and 100GbE offer better performance, security, and functionality. Older equipment may not support these standards, leading to compatibility issues and performance bottlenecks.

• Software and Firmware Limitations: Legacy devices may not receive firmware updates that support new protocols, security features, or performance enhancements, limiting their capabilities.

• Interoperability Issues: Mixing new and old devices can cause interoperability problems. New devices may struggle to communicate effectively with older equipment, reducing network efficiency and increasing the complexity of troubleshooting.

FS Large and Midsize Campus Network Solution

FS addresses these challenges with a robust network solution, FS Large and Midsize Campus Network Solution, designed to deliver stability, reliability, and scalability for large and midsize campus networks.

Up to 100G Bandwidth for Growing Business Needs

Core Layer Speed of 100G: The FS campus network solution supports a core layer speed of up to 100G, providing ample bandwidth capacity to handle large-scale data transmissions and high-density user access. This high bandwidth reduces latency and ensures the stability and performance of campus networks, even during peak usage periods.

Future-Proof Expansion: Deploying a 100G core layer speed prepares the campus network for future expansion and upgrades. This foresight extends the network's lifecycle, reducing the need for frequent upgrades and modifications.

PicOS®— Unified Operating System for Enhanced Stability and Reliability

Simplified Device Management and Operation: One of the standout features of the FS campus network solution is its use of a unified operating system, PicOS®, across all network switches. This standardization simplifies device management and operation. With a consistent command-line interface, network administrators and technicians can manage the campus network more efficiently, reducing the complexity and time required for training and operations.

Robust Multi-Protocol Support: PicOS® supports a wide range of protocols including LLDP, Voice VLAN, VRRP, and BFD. These are standard protocols ensuring compatibility and consistency across devices, significantly reducing the risk of failures and enhancing overall campus network reliability. FS is constantly upgrading the PicOS® switch software, ensuring it adapts to the changing network needs with robust and up-to-date functionality.

Streamlined Upgrades and Maintenance: The unified PicOS® switch software version ensures that all network devices can be upgraded simultaneously, reducing the administrative burden and minimizing potential downtime. Regular and synchronized updates enhance the overall operational efficiency and reliability of campus networks.

Enhanced Network Security: Incorporating a zero-trust security model, PicOS® establishes a robust security system at the access layer. This system integrates tightly with top-tier Network Access Control (NAC) policy managers, providing stringent security measures that protect the network from unauthorized access and potential threats.

AmpCon™ — Integrated Network Management Platform

Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) for Easy Deployment: AmpCon™, the unified network management platform, revolutionizes the deployment process with Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP). This feature allows for visualized configuration and templated configuration files, enabling remote deployment and automated management of large and midsize campus networks. ZTP ensures a hassle-free setup, reducing the need for manual intervention and accelerating deployment times.

Automated Deployment for Increased Efficiency: Using AmpCon™, PicOS® enterprise switches can be configured and deployed automatically, significantly reducing the need for manual configuration. This automation not only speeds up the deployment process but also minimizes human errors, ensuring a more stable and consistent network configuration across all devices.

Pre-Configuration with PicOS-V: AmpCon™ also supports pre-configuration in virtualized environments using PicOS-V. This allows configurations to be tested and validated before being deployed to the physical network, ensuring that the network setup is accurate and reducing the risk of issues post-deployment.

Three-Layer Network Architecture for Scalability and Flexibility

Layered Structure: The three-layer network architecture divides the campus network into core, aggregation, and access layers. This structure enhances network scalability, allowing for the addition or adjustment of devices at each layer as needed. This flexibility is crucial for accommodating changing network demands.

Horizontal Expansion: As campus size increases or network needs grow, more aggregation and access switches can be added to meet new connectivity requirements. This horizontal expansion capability enables the network to adapt quickly to changes, supporting a large number of devices and users.

Flexible Network Management: The three-layer network architecture also facilitates flexible network management. By centralizing the management and configuration of devices at each layer, the entire campus network can be managed more efficiently, enhancing scalability and manageability.

Redundant Network Design for Uninterrupted Operation: The three-layer network architecture uses redundant network design to ensure uninterrupted operation even during peak times. PicOS® switches support the Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG) protocol, allowing for redundant interconnect designs. This redundancy ensures operations continue smoothly, even if a link fails.

Use of Broadcom Chips for Consistent Performance

Consistency and Compatibility: FS PicOS® enterprise switches used in the solution are built on a unified Broadcom chip architecture, ensuring consistency and compatibility across all devices. This standardization simplifies management and maintenance processes, as all switches share similar hardware and software foundations.

Versatile Product Range: The FS campus network solution offers a diverse range of PicOS® switches, designed to meet the varying needs of large and midsize campus networks. With options for multiple ports (fiber & copper, PoE & Non-PoE), speeds (1/10/25/40/100G), protocols, and features, these switches can accommodate different network sizes and requirements, providing a scalable and adaptable solution.

High Reliability and Performance: Broadcom chips ensure high-speed data transmission, low latency, and high throughput, which enhances the performance of FS PicOS® switches. This high performance is crucial for maintaining campus network stability and supporting demanding applications and services.

Comprehensive Network Security

Switch Security Features: FS PicOS® switches support a range of security features including SSH, ACL, AAA, and NAC, providing robust protection against unauthorized access and potential threats. These security measures ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the network.

AP Security Features: Access points (APs) in the solution come equipped with WPA3, WIDS, and RF interference tracking. These features safeguard data security and enhance the overall protection of the wireless network, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity for all users.

Elevate Your Campus Network with FS Solution

FS remains committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by large and midsize enterprises. By offering innovative solutions that prioritize stability, reliability, and scalability, FS ensures that campus networks can meet the growing demands of modern business environments. With a focus on high-performance hardware, integrated management platforms, and robust security, FS Large and Midsize Campus Network Solution provides a seamless connectivity experience for every corner of the campus. As businesses continue to evolve, FS solutions will adapt to meet future needs, ensuring that enterprise networks remain efficient, secure, and future-ready.