The Collin County Community College District Convergence Laboratory

Abstract

This paper presents and describes the novel next generation convergence lab located in the Engineering Technology (ET) Division at Collin County Community College District’s (CCCCD) Preston Ridge Campus in Frisco, Texas. The laboratory currently features four (4) distinct “offices” integrated into a common environment: 1) Gigabit Ethernet 2) Wireless LANs 3) Private Branch Exchange (PBX) 4) SOHO (Small Office – Home Office). The transport layer has several broadband access technologies including ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), SONET (Synchronous Optical Network), and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line).

The system architecture for each of the convergent offices is discussed in detail along with emphasis on the enabling technologies at the access level of service. A selection of data and call processing configurations and capabilities is presented, for example, wire and wireless, as well as other voice/data processing techniques utilizing ATM, IP, and DSL telecommunication facilities. The paper also describes how funding through a NSF Advanced Technological Education grant is providing a mechanism to support activities in the convergence lab consisting of project- oriented/case study research for members of the North Texas Regional Technology Consortium. Finally, the paper elaborates on issues associated with interoperability efforts and examples of how the convergence lab could be employed as a model for beta testing and system integration for small and medium-sized industry partners.

I. Introduction

Even though the much anticipated seamless convergence of voice and data services primarily facilitated by IP enabling technologies has not been fully realized, a telecommunications industry experiencing flux and the uncertain resolution of technical issues combine as a catalyst for the introduction and implementation of a convergence laboratory at Collin County Community College District. A precise definition of the concept of “convergence” is not necessary or even desirable, but two definitions are offered here that have been gleaned from various literature that closely coincides with the goals and objectives of Collin College’s laboratory1, 2, 3, 4, 5:

• Convergence is the blending or integration of voice, video, and data into a single but flexible global telecommunications network.

Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference &Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education