Evaluation of research education networks in Zambia a case study: Zambia research education networks(ZAMREN)
Date
2017
Authors
Mwiinga, Jervas
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
ABSTRACT- ZAMREN a Zambian NREN, established on 19th September, 2007, has its
network along the line of rail (Livingstone town to Chililabombwe town), and it connects
to rest of the world through two (2) fibre channel at 1Gbps. The use of video conferencing
application or data intensive applications is desirable and a quicker means of fostering elearning
over the internet. Sustaining such a service is, however, expensive as it requires a
substantial bandwidth allocation as well as computers with adequate capacity. Therefore,
knowing the capacity of the network, strategies on how to manage multimedia services or
applications in RENs is essential.
This research was an evaluation of REN in Zambia primarily focusing on identifying
affiliates challenges in accessing ZAMREN network, determining the current ZAMREN
network status and determining the robustness of ZAMREN network in support video
conference applications. The research instruments used in the study included
questionnaires, Ms-excel, SPSS and Opnet 14.5 network simulation software. The findings
for objective (i); 19% of ZAMREN affiliates faced a challenge of power outage, 16%
challenge of funding, 16% fibre cuts (damages), 11% high internet tariffs, 7% lack of
technical ICT know-how, 7% lack of support from ZAMREN, 5% lack or low level of
appreciation ZAMREN’s infrastructure, 5% connection problem, 5% long response time,
2% lack of management support on ICTs matters, low level of appreciation of ZAMREN
was 2%, 2% poor services, 2% unsecure and unreliable and 2% bureaucracy. The finding
for objective (ii) was that the maximum current channel capacity of ZAMREN was 1Gbps,
and the findings of objective (iii); was determined at point of failure for ZAMREN
network which was at 6752 nodes and total traffic sent was 1000067889 bits/sec.
Keywords: Research Education Networks (RENs), ZAMREN, video conferencing, High
Performance Computing (HPC)
Description
Keywords
High performance computing--Zambia , Research education networks--Zambia