Page 157 - DCAP311_DCAP607_WIRELESS_NETWORKS

Unit 9: Wireless MAN Systems

“Communication has become faster and more efficient. Extensive computer training at all Notes
levels in Marathi and data input services have been planned to ensure that the facilities
are utilized by the target population,” says Nale. The test run of the system was taken on
August 14th 1999. It went live on Independence Day 1999 and all centers were declared
operational.
Phase II
In January 2000, the management of Pravara Group decided to upgrade the 64 Kbps
FTDMA VSAT to a 256 Kbps high-speed SCPC VSAT in order to extend the Internet to
six other remote sites located in Shirdi, Satral, Kolhar, Rahata, Babhleshwar and Loni. The
work began on June 2001. NABARD sponsored six village IT centers to the tune of ` 15
lakh.

Installation of the SCPC VSAT lead to faster communication, browsing and video-
conferencing with other locations. An IBM Netfinity server is used for proxy and caching
services while an xSeries200 server is used as the mail server (pravara.ren.nic.in). Other
products used in Phase II are—Cisco 2600 series router with 16 ASYNC ports, RF Access
Point – Orinoco Outdoor routers, Wireless Cards - 11 Mbps Lucent’s Wavelan Cards,
10/100 Mbps NICs and 10/100 Mbps Switches.
Benefits of the Implementation
The advantages of providing a wireless MAN in a setting like Pravara for different
population segments are many.
Linking all high schools in around 50 villages within a radius of 10 km lets teachers and staff
stay in touch with the HO of their Education Society. This helps them introduce modern
methods of teaching, including computer-based learning (virtual school) at convenient
timings for children who have to work during the day. Students from professional colleges
can acquire knowledge using the Internet and it will help them find new jobs.
Farmers can communicate with the agricultural experts at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and
learn new farming techniques as well as better ways of storing and packing their products
for marketing.
Health care professionals at the villages can consult specialists at the Medical College
and Hospital thereby providing specialized treatment, especially during emergencies, at
people’s doorsteps.
Information about government programs for the welfare of the people can be made
available to the people and they can interact with the concerned government official right
from their village. This will particularly benefit rural women. The villagers can interact
with the sugar factory as well as with the Pravara Co-operative Bank saving time in the
process.
Going forward, the Pravara group is planning to connect at least seven more villages using
RF and 15 through dial-up by the end of 2002. The ultimate goal is to connect 100 villages
through PRAGATI.
Questions:

1. Study and analyse the case.
2. Write down the case facts.
3. What do you infer from it?

Source: http://www.networkmagazineindia.com/200209/tech3.shtml

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