Serenity IT and Laminar deploy Extreme Networks at Queensland-based Somerset college

Queensland-based resellers Serenity IT and Laminar have deployed an Extreme Networks end-to-end network for Gold Coast-based Somerset College.

The independent primary and secondary college will have both wired and wireless solutions to connect “a growing number” of devices among students and staff, while also giving Somerset’s IT team increased security, control and visibility of their network operations.

Serenity IT, which works primarily with educational institutions, focused on the facilitation of the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) side of the deployment, particularly on security and integration.

"We approached it on how we can easily secure the network without having to increase the burden of Someret's IT department," Serenity IT technical director Mona Taimana told CRN.

"We wanted to help make the transition to Extreme Networks painless as possible, particularly on the BYOD side."

Laminar meanwhile helped deploy the wireless networks, as part of a deal with Somerset dating back from 2015 to upgrade its existing wireless infrastructure to Extreme Networks.

Also primarily working with educational institutions, Laminar specialises in designing wireless networks, core networking and security firewall infrastructure.

"The overall deployment of the project was a success," Laminar spokesperson Nathan Gittins told CRN. "The integration was smooth and everything just worked!"

“Somerset College is now operating one of the most advanced networks in Australia in the K-12 education sector,” Extreme Networks ANZ managing director Chris Georgellis said.

“They are a real showcase of what is possible in providing students and staff with the very best network environment to assist in the education mission of the college.”

The network offers 10-gigabit wireless access and is deployed with Extreme’s Management Center, ExtremeControl and ExtremeAnalytics to meet Somerset’s security and IT governance requirements.

Extreme said the school's IT staff were able to ensure security, audit, and compliance policies were managed network-wide for both students and staff, while supporting more than 2500 devices.

“Providing a world-class IT environment at Somerset College is critical in providing an outstanding learning environment for our students and staff,” Somerset College dean of information technologies Lisa Thomson said.

“Extreme Networks was an obvious choice for us when rebuilding our network infrastructure. The company has a proven track record in understanding the unique needs of the education sector and we believe our environment now will meet our requirements for years to come, while allowing us a firm foundation on which to continue to grow and develop.”

Last month, US-based Extreme Networks unveiled a new partner program following the acquisitions of Brocade Communications, Avaya and Zebra Technologies.

Chris Georgellis told CRN that as part of this new program, the company’s ANZ operations would be looking into further acquisitions moving forward.

“Here [in Australia], it’s all about how we grow and expand to markets we weren’t in before,” he said. “There is a big acquisition focus for us, and us as a company have taken the approach to invest in people, resources into the market as we see that it is a big profitable area for us.”

Georgellis added that Extreme had been working with not only the education sector but with healthcare and the industrial space as well, and will be announcing the projects as they come along.