Last autumn, we received a need to upgrade the campus network of a provincial priority university. Over 30,000 students in this school have been running for eight years, and over the last two years there has been an increasing number of complaints from students, mainly on WiFi certifications that are slow, frequently lost, and peak-level Internet speed Caton. The head of the Information Office of the School told us they had already received hundreds of complaints, and they would be named by the principal if not resolved.
The first thing we do when we get in is to diagnose the existing system comprehensively. This is a typical comprehensive university with complex network structures in several areas, such as teaching buildings, libraries, laboratories, student dormitories. The original billing system was deployed in 2014 using the first generation Portal certification technology, which was then the mainstream programme, but it is not keeping pace with demand.
The most obvious problem is the speed of authentication. At peak tests, we find that it takes an average of 8 to 12 seconds for students to complete their certifications after entering a password for accounts and sometimes even re-recording pages. This is unbearable for those who are used to second-second experience. We follow the authentication process and find that problems arise mainly in several ways: first, the certification server is not functioning well enough and CPU often runs 100%; secondly, database queries are inefficient and users need multiple forms when authenticating; thirdly, session management mechanisms are problematic and large numbers of invalid sessions take up system resources.
The problem is too serious.
Students often turn off their hands during classes, especially those living in high-rise dormitories. We analyze logs and find that the heart beat mechanism of the original system is inadequate, and that Internet fluctuations can easily be misconstrued as being offline.
In response to these problems, we have proposed a complete upgrading programme for schools. The core is to replace the new generation of the WiFi campus, using distributed structures that enhance authentication performance and reliability. This will include: deploying multiple certified servers to perform load balances and avoid single-point failures; upgrading database servers to optimize search algorithms; improving session management to support mobile roaming; increasing smart heart beat mechanisms and reducing miscalculation.
Schools approved the programme
We have spent two months completing deployment and testing. The new system has had immediate effect: certification time has been reduced from 8-12 seconds to 2-3 seconds, students are largely unsettled; the rate of offline has dropped by more than 90 per cent and mobile roaming is smoother; the number of users supported and sent by the system has increased from 5,000 to 20,000, responding easily to peak demand during the start-up season.
The Director later informed us that no more students had complained about Internet access since the upgrade, and that the Information Office could finally sleep safely. This case also made it clear that the WiFi system on campus was not a permanent one, and that as users grew in size and technological development required regular assessment and optimization.
In writing.
We have focused on the expansion of systems. Given the development plans for schools over the next five years, we have reserved enough space to design the programme. For example, we have adopted modular designs that allow the system to easily add new functional modules; we have chosen a database structure that supports horizontal expansion that allows the system to easily increase server nodes; and we have also reserved interfaces with other systems in intelligent campuses so that the billing system can be an important part of intelligent campuses.
In addition, we pay special attention to the security of systems. In a school network environment, security threats are increasing and billing systems must be robust in their safety protection capabilities as web portals. We have integrated many security features into our new system, including: DDoS attacks, violence detection, unusual traffic detection, virus protection, etc. We have also established an emergency response mechanism for security incidents to ensure that they can be addressed in a timely manner.
In project management
We have adopted agile development method, which divides the entire project into multiple iterative cycles with clear objectives and deliverables for each cycle. This approach enables us to identify and solve problems in a timely manner and ensures that projects are completed on time. We have also established sound project files, including specifications, design documents, test reports, user manuals, etc., which provide strong support for the follow-up maintenance of the system.
In general, the Campus WiFi system upgrade is a very successful case. It not only addresses the real problems facing schools, but also provides a solid foundation for their future development. We believe that as technology advances, the Campus WiFi system will play an increasingly important role in building intelligent campuses.