Department of Defense Education Activity Gains Benefits in Performance, Coverage, Manageability and Security with Aruba Networks Technologies
PORTLAND, Ore., March 21, 2017 – PacStar®, a leading developer and supplier of advanced communications solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), today announced the completion of a major upgrade to thirty-nine K-12 Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Okinawa, Guam, Japan and Korea. Using the highly regarded Wi-Fi mobility infrastructure from Aruba Networks (A Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company), and local area networking equipment from Brocade Communications Systems, PacStar delivered, installed and configured this major communications upgrade ahead of schedule and on budget.
Because a significant portion of DoDEA operations at the schools take place over Wi-Fi, DoDEA expects this upgrade to deliver enhancements in productivity for students and teachers. Additionally, with added capabilities such as central management and best-in-class network access control using Aruba ClearPass, DoDEA will enhance its security posture while driving down administration and maintenance costs.
PacStar completed the project from October 2016 to February 2017, fielding teams on-site including local assistance and language translators, supervised by PacStar project managers and advanced wireless networking engineers. PacStar’s team conducted local area network equipment installation and configuration of over 200 network switches, as well as Wi-Fi network design, installation and configuration of over 1,500 access points.
PacStar completed the project ahead of schedule and on budget, even though the team had to overcome unexpected challenges such as delays caused by conflicts in school schedules and work stoppages caused by a typhoon. PacStar team’s flawless execution made it easy for DoDEA to deliver the completed project, with no operational friction, low management burden, and high praise from the staff at the school sites.
“We’re proud of our performance on this project, though it comes as no surprise considering our over 17 years’ experience with Wi-Fi and LAN deployments on DoD facilities”, said Peggy Miller, chief executive officer for PacStar. “This follows similar large projects we’ve completed at a wide variety of DoD installations with Aruba and Brocade over the last few years – and our experience enables us to accurately estimate costs and schedule, even when a few surprises are thrown our way.”
Aruba Networks Wi-Fi technologies are well recognized throughout the DoD as having industry leading performance and security capabilities, and Brocade Communications network switches deliver outstanding performance value. Some key attributes that lead to the section of Aruba Network wireless include:
- 802.11ac solutions for high performance
- Extensive DoD security certifications, including certifications for use in classified networks
- Lightweight access point security architecture, with end-to-end encryption from Wi-Fi client to central wireless controller
- Seamless integration with Aruba AirWave central management and future seamless integration with ClearPass wireless access control system.
This technology combination continues to spread across the DoD as a preferred solution for organizations looking to deploy mobility while meeting stringent security requirements.
About PacStar
Pacific Star Communications, Inc. (PacStar) is a leading technology-based systems integrator that delivers advanced, reliable and interoperable tactical and enterprise communications systems to the military, federal, state and local government agencies, as well as emergency responders. The company’s patented IQ-Core® Software and hardware technology and integration/installation services provide secure, command, control and communications systems – particularly in remote or infrastructure starved areas. In addition, PacStar’s unified and tactical network communications systems are ideally suited for commercial sector organizations with mission-critical, complex communications requirements.
John Wranovics
Director of Public Relations
John Wranovics has over thirty years of experience in managing media relations and the promotion of high technology products. He has been with Curtiss-Wright since 2003. He has a degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.