In the ever-evolving landscape of education technology, schools are increasingly embracing innovative solutions to enhance the learning experience. Network segmentation stands out as a critical consideration, bolstering security and efficiency as schools worldwide adopt interactive displays to enrich their environments.
In this blog, we’ll explore the significance of Network Segmentation in educational environments, especially when integrating interactive displays into the network. Or learn more about ViewSonic ViewBoards here.
With Interactive Flat Panels (IFPs)–also known as interactive displays and interactive whiteboards–becoming more common in schools globally, schools using single or multiple network configurations require expert advice on how to best integrate them into their Education Ecosystems. Network segmentation is a solution for this, not only ensuring data security and access, but also enhancing network performance for schools. Using trusted interactive displays and software, IT administrators can streamline the setup process for a smoother integration experience.
What is Network Segmentation?
Network segmentation is a robust solution to the security and network management demands of schools today. It involves dividing a network into isolated subnetworks to reinforce security, enhance network performance, and streamline management. Just like categorizing the books of a library makes it easier and more efficient to find desired materials, so too does network segmentation enhance the efficiency of school networks.
This makes network segmentation a key factor for schools deciding whether to go for a single network or a multiple network structure. While a single network might seem budget-friendly, if left unsegmented, it can become a single point of failure should a denial of service occur – when a website or online service gets overwhelmed by a flood of fake or excessive requests.
On the other hand, operating multiple networks within a school, despite initial complexity and costs, significantly enhances security by containing breaches within designated segments of different networks. In both scenarios, the strategic use of network segmentation lets schools balance cost-effectiveness and long-term security considerations.
What Are Interactive Displays?
Interactive displays are versatile devices that can improve learning outcomes. With multi-touch support and stylus interaction, these generously sized touchscreens promote creativity, collaboration, and communication within classrooms. Seamlessly integrating with the Internet of Things (IoT) – a network of devices interconnected by their embedded sensors and software to exchange data and enhance user experiences – interactive displays work with other devices in the school’s Education Ecosystem via the internet.
By seamlessly integrating into Education Ecosystems, interactive displays can enhance a school’s operational efficiency. Equipped with centralized device management systems, IT administrators can swiftly and effortlessly display emergency alerts and class, meeting, and event information on interactive displays using remote broadcasting. Using remote on/off scheduling, they can also limit the idle power consumption of interactive displays to save energy costs. Teachers can also remotely cast lesson content to school network interactive displays, reducing setup time when changing classrooms. With these clear IoT benefits, it’s easy to understand why schools should integrate interactive displays into their Education Ecosystem, and network segmentation helps to achieve this.
5 Network Segmentation Advantages for Interactive Displays
Considering the diverse range of educational settings, encompassing single and multiple network configurations, IT administrators can take an adaptable approach to interactive display integration. This can involve employing network segmentation techniques, such as device isolation, user group categorization, and security zone establishment, to ensure that interactive displays remain safeguarded against potential threats. These network segmentation techniques empower administrators with precise access control, while the school benefits from optimized network performance.
The Internet of Things extends these network segmentation benefits, as safely deployed interactive displays can seamlessly interact with the broader Education Ecosystem. This enables real-time updates and access to relevant resources, contributing to a more immersive and interconnected learning environment that fosters engagement for students and educators alike.
With this in mind, let’s explore in greater detail the benefits network segmentation brings for interactive displays:
1. Strengthened Network Security
By creating isolated network segments with distinct access controls and security measures, network segmentation provides robust protection against security breaches by containing their impact. This benefits interactive display users by protecting their interactive displays from malware threats and potential data compromise. This approach not only safeguards sensitive data but also prevents unauthorized access to critical assets, ensuring a secure environment for both educational content and essential information.
2. Enhanced Network Performance
Segmenting network traffic optimizes data transfers and overall network performance, making interactive displays more efficient to use. Segmenting the network helps to accelerate data transfers and reduce network congestion through dedicated pathways and resources. This smoothens communication and collaboration, allowing interactive displays to operate at their best within Education Ecosystems.
3. Streamlined Device Control
Network segmentation creates distinct boundaries between network segments, offering administrators precise device control, particularly advantageous for interactive displays. This isolation supports tailored access policies and monitoring for each segment. Furthermore, it streamlines the operation of interactive displays for IT administrators without affecting other network segments.
IT administrators can take device control to the next level with centralized device management tools like ViewSonic Manager. These platforms enable efficient monitoring and configuration of devices across various network segments from a single, unified interface. Whether it involves updating firmware, applying security patches, or optimizing device performance, they streamline the workload for IT administrators, ensuring the overall security and efficiency of the network infrastructure.
4. Streamlined Troubleshooting and Management for Interactive Displays
Efficient troubleshooting is a valuable advantage of network segmentation and IoT integration for interactive display users. When IoT devices like interactive displays are secured on an isolated network, it creates a protective barrier that shields the broader network from potential issues, facilitating seamless troubleshooting. Plus, with the power of IoT data analysis, IoT deployments can collaborate to predict impending problems. This enables a proactive approach to troubleshooting that ensures reliable interactive display operation. When technical glitches eventually surface within segmented interactive display networks, IT administrators are well-equipped to swiftly resolve them without interrupting ongoing lessons.
5. Efficient Education Ecosystem
With network segmentation in place, lessons and online educational activities can run without interruptions, even during peak usage times. This leads to enhanced engagement among students and teachers, as they can rely on a stable connection to digital resources. Furthermore, it reduces frustration and downtime, allowing educators to maximize valuable teaching time. The overall result is a dedicated, secure, and distraction-free educational environment–one that ensures better learning outcomes for students and more effective teaching for educators.
Our Expert Advice for Your School
Network segmentation is crucial for schools integrating interactive displays into their Education Ecosystem, regardless of their network configuration. If operating a single network configuration, then hosting interactive displays on a dedicated network zone linked to the internet is recommended. This prioritizes security while facilitating smooth data transmission between devices and the backend server of the interactive learning platform.
For schools that have higher security requirements, interactive displays should be deployed in a multiple-network system. This configuration guarantees traffic separation between networks, internet service providers, and devices, effectively protecting interactive displays from disruptions that might be experienced in a single network.
It is also important to select an interactive display model that seamlessly integrates with a comprehensive interactive learning platform, such as the ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays and myViewBoard. By choosing an interactive display that works with a cross-compatible platform, schools can securely deploy the interactive display using network segmentation. This empowers effortless content sharing across the entire Education Ecosystem to enhance overall learning experiences.
For a comprehensive approach to network segmentation, consider three key factors when choosing the interactive display model and interactive learning platform for your school:
Scalability of the Education Ecosystem
Opt for an interactive display and an interactive learning platform that offer scalability. A flexible and cross-device compatible interactive learning platform, like myViewBoard, ensures the network segmentation approach can adapt to changing student numbers, curriculum expansions, and technological advancements. This flexibility minimizes disruptions in school operations and classrooms, providing a seamless educational experience.
Manageability of the Interactive Display
Choose systems that provide user-friendly interfaces and centralized device management capabilities, such as ViewSonic Manager. This empowers IT administrators to efficiently handle the setup, operation, and maintenance of the school’s interactive displays. As a result, there is an efficient distribution of resources to boost productivity within the school.
Dependability of the Solutions Provider
Partner with reputable solution providers that put your school’s best interests first. Look for those that offer high-quality interactive display development, interactive learning platforms, and reliable after-sales services, including customer support, repairs, and maintenance. This partnership ensures the effectiveness and security of network segmentation during interactive display deployment.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, network segmentation is important in strengthening educational networks, particularly when incorporating Interactive Flat Panels. By practicing network segmentation, schools can bolster security, enhance performance, and streamline management. What’s more, network segmentation helps enrich learning experiences by facilitating the integration of interactive displays with the Internet of Things for a seamlessly connected Education Ecosystem.
As a leader in EdTech solutions, user security is a priority. We consider network segmentation of a single network as a minimum requirement for interactive display deployment, though we encourage schools to combine network segmentation with a multiple-network configuration for maximum security. To facilitate this, our ViewSonic Manager centralized device management platform presents a dependable solution for the efficient management of interactive displays within existing networks.
For a more secure and effective approach to managing interactive displays, be sure to explore ViewSonic Manager today.