The following is a description of what service can be provided:

The Network Services team manages the Wide Area and Local Area Networks. This can include T1 lines, Routers, Switches Proxy Services, DHCP Services, LDAP Services, E-mail, as well as the MESD connection to OPEN.

Features of this service include:

• T1 or INet connection to each school and district office includes Router and DSU, or equivalent.
• Technical advisory and discussion groups.
• Planning and coordination of Wide Area Network issues, including dealing with growth issue and network design.
• Active Participation in the Oregon Public Education Network (OPEN) efforts.
• Membership fee to OPEN for Internet and statewide network access.
• Planning, coordination, and migration for I-Net (cable) connections.
• Assistance in establishing and maintaining district network security.
• Assistance in establishing and maintaining Wide Area Network usage standards.
• Network applications including, but not limited to: List server, Calendars, Web Access to Business, HR and Student System reports, LDAP, FTP services.
• Coordination of connectivity projects with local phone/cable/wireless companies for new or upgraded services.
• Redundant transparent proxy servers.
• Electronic Mail Hosting (SMTP) for all students and staff. IMAP, POP3 and Web based clients supported.
• Redundant Mail Relays to limit external access to District mail servers. Mail Relays also provide SPAM filtering and other mail broadcasts that interfere with normal operations.
• Redundant Dynamic IP Address Allocation Servers (DHCP).
• Redundant Domain Name Server (DNS/BIND to translate Internet names into Internet addresses, and vice versa. For security reasons there are two separate sets of systems, 2 for external names, 2 for internal names.
• Installation and upgrades of district owned Nortel routers and DSUs. Management, upgrades, troubleshooting and repair of router software and hardware.
• Monitoring the Wide Area Network, including routers and communication lines.
• Firewall network protection support.
• Internet security system that constantly and automatically monitors for network attacks.
• Web content filtering for all users.
• Uninterruptible power supply with backup diesel generator for all MESD network equipment.

Monitoring of network resources http://stats.mesd.k12.or.us/.

If the districts choose not to participate, the effect on students would be:

Non-participating districts that wish to have to other MESD menu items will need to install and manage their own wide area network services including:

• Communication lines to access the Internet.
• All MESD WAN Services.
• Secure encrypted connection to MESD.
• Your own wide area network management.
• Operational by July 1, 2007.

Interrelationships with other Multnomah ESD programs and services:

• Technology Services.
• Business/Human Resource Services.
• Student Services.
• Various web application services.
• Department of Instruction.
• Measurement & Experimental Research
• School Health Services.
• Bloodborne pathogen.
• Student Health records.
• Co-operative Purchasing services.