Serving as a beacon of hope for underserved communities, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) is leveraging state-of-the-art technology to provide educational opportunities to individuals in remote, underserved, and First Nations areas. Recognizing the significance of bridging educational gaps, NBCC has partnered with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to implement a cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6E-enabled end-to-end AI-powered networking solution.
As one of the largest post-secondary educational institutions in New Brunswick, Canada, NBCC is committed to modernizing its networking infrastructure to support career advancement in healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. With six campuses spread across the expansive 28,000-square-mile province, NBCC caters to more than 10,000 students and 1,700 apprentices annually.
Simon Collier, the Director of IT for NBCC, explains, We’re working to connect more learners with opportunities to develop the skilled individuals that businesses need to grow and compete. NBCC’s adoption of HPE Aruba Networking’s Wi-Fi 6E-enabled AP-635 indoor access points will significantly enhance its institutional infrastructure, ensuring a future-ready approach to education. By embracing Wi-Fi 6E, NBCC can provide a cloud-first academic model that supports hands-on and hybrid learning experiences through various applications such as D2L Brightspace and Microsoft Teams.
Moreover, NBCC is committed to reaching beyond campus borders by employing innovative solutions. The college is deploying HPE Aruba Networking’s outdoor access points on its ingenious Mobile Training Center (MTC), ensuring individuals in remote areas can access mobile connectivity. Additionally, NBCC is implementing remote access points (RAPs), guaranteeing secure and streamlined access to institutional applications for teleworkers, regardless of their physical location. Wired networking will be facilitated through the use of HPE Aruba Networking’s CX Series Switches.
NBCC’s commitment to bridging opportunity gaps extends to the MTC, which functions as an adaptable classroom space in remote areas. By equipping the MTC with robust Wi-Fi and wired infrastructure, NBCC guarantees students and instructors have access to cloud-delivered academic resources, including cutting-edge technologies like Microsoft HoloLens.
Taking advantage of HPE Aruba Networking’s APs as an IoT platform, NBCC simplifies the deployment and management of current and future Internet of Things (IoT) initiatives. These initiatives enable NBCC to securely connect and control a range of technologies, from large-format informational displays to security cameras, fostering an environment that prioritizes the physical security of students, faculty, and staff.
NBCC is also streamlining and securing its wired and wireless administration by capitalizing on HPE Aruba Networking’s integrated zero trust security capabilities. By adopting HPE Aruba Networking Central for AI-powered network management and leveraging a combination of HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass and Dynamic Segmentation for automated, role-based security, NBCC can safeguard wired and wireless endpoints and IoT solutions effectively. The use of AI-powered endpoint profiling through Client Insights within HPE Aruba Networking Central allows for easy identification of any device connecting to the network while ensuring enhanced security.
Blair Sawler, Manager of Infrastructure and IT Security for NBCC, lauds the management capabilities of HPE Aruba Networking Central, noting that the unified wired and wireless management from a single interface, combined with AI Insights, assists in quickly resolving any issues that may arise. Furthermore, the implementation of HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass has facilitated the decommissioning of legacy access control hardware, reducing both cost and complexity.
With automation capabilities provided by HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass and CX Switches, NBCC has optimized its IT operations, freeing up engineering time for higher-value projects that contribute to student success. By embracing cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions, New Brunswick Community College is empowering underserved communities and bridging educational gaps, ensuring that learners have the tools they need to thrive in their chosen fields.
