Benchmark Standards for Technology

Benchmark Standards for Technology For Fiscal Year 2003-2004

The HCPS Technology Plan revises purchase and maintenance benchmarks each year to procure and maintain equipment in a cost effective manner. Considerations for revision include: current industry standard, software applications being used in schools, and anticipated software upgrades. Because technology hardware specifications (RAM requirements, processor speed, hard drive space, etc.) change on an almost daily basis, all technology purchases will be reviewed by the division technology staff for evaluation.

Desktop Computer Hardware

Surge protectors appropriate to the value of the equipment are required (UL-1449). Backup of essential data needs to be addressed. Surge protectors should include electrical and RJ45 protection capability in mobile units.

Current/Maintenance Standard:

Machines meeting this standard are counted in technology inventory and are maintained and configured with appropriate software and network services. Those less than the standard will not be counted in current technology inventory and will not be extensively maintained. Site technology coordinators and/or the division computer technician will determine the maintenance standard of computers more than four years old from date of purchase and will make upgrade/maintenance decisions based on cost effectiveness.

PC: Any machine running in a Microsoft Windows 98 environment or higher, Pentium (not to exceed four years old from date of purchase).

Macintosh: Any machine capable of running OSX or OS9 and network configuration (not to exceed four years old from date of purchase).

2003-2004 Purchase Standard:

Machines to be purchased in 2003-2004 must meet or exceed this standard. Verify location in classroom with access to power, network drop, and a physical location to place computer. (See Standards of Physical Access) When cost effective to do so, additional memory should be procured at time of initial purchase.

PC: Seek to purchase state contract Windows hardware because of greater cost efficiency, standardization, and warranty options. Windows machines should have at least the following specifications: Pentium 4 or current industry standards 2.2 GHz CD-ROM 1.44 Floppy drive

HCPS Technology Plan 2003-2009 Page 1 2003 Mouse and Keyboard 40 GB Hard drive

HCPS Technology Plan 2003-2009 Page 2 2003 256 MB RAM

Video card w/ 64 MB RAM 15" Monitor - CRT or LCD Integrated sound 1000/100 Intel/3Com base T network card Virus scan software – one-year license agreement Windows XP installed MS Office XP Standard Surge protector

Macintosh: Each Macintosh should have at least the following specifications: G4 Processor

256 MB RAM 40 GB Hard drive Monitor CD-ROM Mouse and Keyboard Network card Surge protector

Laptop Computers

One wireless access point (802.11B) is needed for every ten laptops.

Pentium 4 or Macintosh G4 Powerbook or iBook 256 MB RAM 40 GB or larger hard drive Integrated wireless network card Internal CD-ROM (or module) Internal disk drive (or module) or external floppy drive

Wireless

One wireless access point is needed for every ten machines.

2003-2004 Purchase Standard: Access points and NICs to support 802.11g

HCPS Technology Plan 2003-2009 Page 3 2003 (Currently recommend wireless access points and NICs to support 802.11b. 802.11a and 802.11g can also be used providing they also support 802.11b.)

File Servers and Network Platforms

File server technology is complex and fast moving. Achieving the best value takes expertise that can balance short-and long-term objectives with the current directions of technology. Thus, file server decisions should rely on the knowledge and expertise of the Network Administrator and Computer Resource Technician working in concert with the Site Technology Committee and outside resource persons as needed. Backup and mirrored drive issues should be considered with the installation of any file server. All schools are currently dual platform. (Windows and Macintosh clients).

Current/Maintenance Standard: Novell 6.5 Macintosh OSX

2003-2004 Purchase Standard: Servers and appropriate file server and client software will be reviewed annually. Server hardware will be replaced to optimize network functionality. A three-year rotation plan is recommended.

Wiring Standards

Wiring provides the backbone of a network and has direct relation to performance of the network. Wiring plans have been prepared by reputable firms to provide the best performance possible. A minimum of Category 5 plenum cable has been used with fiber optic wiring runs as needed. Wireless solutions will be explored on a cost benefit and technology availability basis. All new purchases of patch cables or wiring infrastructure must be Category 5e or better. No copper cabling will be run outside of the building.

Switches

2003-2004 Purchase Standard: All new switches must include a gigabit-capable uplink port. Cisco 2950 or better series for providing client connectivity Cisco 3550 or better series for interconnecting switches, wiring closets, and servers

Printers

HCPS Technology Plan 2003-2009 Page 4 2003 In networked situations, careful consideration needs to be given between networked shared printers and dedicated local printers. Printer type and location criteria for decision making include convenience, access, speed, durability, and staff time in maintenance. It is recommended that network laser printers be purchased and placed according to the standards of physical access. Only true network printers are to be used for network printing. (No Windows print sharing.)

Current/Maintenance Standard: To be determined on an individual cost-benefit basis.

Network Laser-black: HP#4200N (150,000 pages per month) or equivalent (for labs and to serve 10 or more users) HP#2300N (30,000 pages per month) or equivalent (for smaller groups)

Laser-color: HP#46000N or equivalent

Local Printer: Epson or HP color current model. NOTE: Local printers will be used ONLY when access to a network printer is not feasible.

(*see Site Coordinator for current purchase model standards)

Multimedia Projector

A current brand or model of choice has not been identified. Preview of any model considered is necessary before purchase. Projector needs to support higher refresh rates (75 Hz to 133 Hz) and color depth (16 bit to 32 bit).

Scanner

To be determined on an individual cost-benefit basis.

Digital Camera

HCPS Technology Plan 2003-2009 Page 5 2003 Current/Maintenance Standard: To be determined on an individual cost-benefit basis.

2003-2004 Purchase Standard: Sony Mavica series or equivalent.

HCPS Technology Plan 2003-2009 Page 6 2003