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Newcastle University Selects A10 Networks Application Delivery Controllers for Critical International Learning Environment
Technology Category
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - API Integration & Management
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
- Networks & Connectivity - Network Management & Analysis Software
Applicable Industries
- Education
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Facility Management
Use Cases
- Remote Asset Management
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
The Challenge
Newcastle University faced the challenge of maintaining a robust and scalable IT infrastructure to support its expanding global network. With campuses in the UK, Malaysia, and Singapore, the university needed a high-performance Application Delivery Controller (ADC) to ensure the availability and fault tolerance of its services. The discontinuation of Microsoft’s load balancing platforms and a planned upgrade to a new version of Exchange necessitated the search for an alternative solution that could meet the university's growing demands. The university's IT department required a solution that could handle the load balancing of non-HTTP protocols and provide enhanced security features.
About The Customer
Newcastle University, established in 1834 as a School of Medicine and Surgery, is now a prestigious member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Located in one of the UK's most vibrant, student-friendly cities, the university offers a first-class student experience and is ranked among the top 200 universities globally by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It is also one of the top 20 UK universities targeted by graduate employers and ranks highly for graduate employability and student satisfaction. The university has a significant presence both in the UK and internationally, with campuses in Malaysia and Singapore, offering a wide range of degree programs and maintaining a strong focus on research and employability.
The Solution
Newcastle University selected A10 Networks' Application Delivery Controller (ADC) to address its infrastructure needs. The university deployed two A10 ADCs in an active/passive failover scenario, ensuring seamless migration from its existing Microsoft ISA load balancing solution. The A10 ADCs provided the necessary performance, scalability, and value for money, supporting the university's Blackboard VLE and Microsoft servers. The deployment also included features such as SSL Offload, data compression, and enhanced security, which reduced bandwidth usage and improved application performance. The A10 ADCs delivered 100% uptime and required minimal management, proving to be a reliable solution for the university's IT infrastructure.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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