Net-Ctrl

Good Morning all - thank you to everyone who took the time to come and see us at BETT. We really appreciate you taking the time to find us - and thank you to those who entered out BETT competition for a Steamdeck. I conducted our prize draw yesterday and our winner is @archiebaitup! Thank you again to everyone who entered.

Date: 27th February Time: 2PM Platform: Microsoft Teams Join Net-Ctrl and Verkada on Thursday 27th February 14.00 as we explore the Verkada Hybrid Cloud portfolio which includes CCTV, access control, environmental sensors, alarms and guest sign-in. We will provide an overview of some of these key solution areas and their use in the Education market. We will address the changing landscape of CCTV moving from perimeter security to behaviour management, how environmental sensors are helping combat vaping in schools, and how IT teams are simplifying their physical security with central management. Register Now Please note that all attendees will NOT be added to any marketing lists. After the session, you will receive a single post-webinar email with access to the webinar recording and any documents mentioned on the call. If you are interested in the content but unable to attend the live sessions, please continue to sign up and I will ensure you are sent access to the recording.

Date: 25th February Time: 2 PM Platform: Microsoft Teams Join Net-Ctrl and Ruckus on Tuesday 25th February at 14.00 as we introduce and explore the latest Ruckus One AI-driven cloud management solution. RUCKUS One simplifies the complexity that encumbers modern networks. Easy to use and expand, with flexible configuration that allows you to manage and optimise multi-access networks simply and securely. Incorporating state-of-the-art AI and patented machine learning (ML) algorithms, RUCKUS One enables IT to react quickly to incidents and prevent them from becoming service-affecting problems. AI-generated recommendations within RUCKUS One optimise your network automatically and, ultimately, deliver the best end-user experience. Register here. Just so you know, all attendees will NOT be added to any marketing lists. After the session, you will receive a single post-webinar email with access to the webinar recording and any documents mentioned on the call. If you are interested in the content but unable to attend the live sessions, please continue to sign up and I will ensure you are sent access to the recording.

BETT is back at EXCEL London from the 22-24th January for three days of inspiring connections, content and product discovery. BETT continues to bring together brilliant educators from across the globe. Net-Ctrl is excited to be exhibiting on stand SJ61. This year we have some new partners joining us as we talk all things wireless, networking, LTE and 5G WAN, lockdown, access control, wireless locks, vape detection, IP-CCTV, firewalls and escape door compliance. At BETT 2025 we will be joined by solutions from: ABLOY UK - Escape Door Compliance Aperio - Wireless Door Handles Bodet – Clocks, Bell, Class Change, PA and Lockdown Ruckus - Wireless, Switching, Onboarding and Analytics Verkada - Integrated CCTV, Access Control, Vape Detection, Intercom, Alarms and Guest Management For those of you who attended or watched the EDIT conference this year, Paul from ABLOY UK will be joining us all week to talk about escape door/door compliance in Education. His session can be found here: You can access datasheets and further information about each solution on our BETT 2025 landing page. Visit Net-Ctrl at BETT 2025 for your chance to win a Steam Deck (256GB model). We will once again be running an exclusive competition for our clients, members of ANME on the ANME EdTech Trail and EduGeek only, and this year is no different. Find out more about our competition and download your entry slip. We’re all looking forward to seeing you again, so please come and stop by if you’re down at the show to see the team.

One thing to consider - if not done so already - The 515 needs PoE+ for full functionality - your older Ruckus APs were very likely on PoE - I assume you have checked your POE budget on switches? Whilst the AP would work on POE you would get limited functionality which may explain performance loss. What was the Ruckus AP you replaced?

Verkada are a channel-company so you'd work with an integrator for supply and most will offer install services as well. Verkada don't offer these services direct. For anyone that likes the sound of Verkada we will have them on demo at BETT with various camera models available to look at, and live demos on the stand. Alt. we can run one-on-one demos on a virtual meeting. Cost wise they're mid-market - definitely cheaper alternatives available. For licensing, it's a per device license on a 1, 3, 5 or 10 year term. With the license you also get 24/7 live tech support. All devices on 10 year warranty.

Camera footage stored locally on Verkada devices is encrypted using AES-128. Verkada then encrypts video data in transit to the cloud using TLS 1.2 or greater.

No details needed!

Ruckus is running an Education-focused event in London on the 05th of November (8.30 am-12) at the Royal Garden Hotel (W8 4PT). You can register here: https://riseandconnectlondon.splashthat.com/ They have speakers from British Esports, Ruckus Engineering and Global Education leads to talk around: • Wi-Fi 7 • Digital Learning Transition • The Role of Esports in Modern Education • Emerging Technologies in Education You will enjoy exclusive demonstrations, insightful discussions with industry experts, and valuable networking opportunities with your peers. The day is set to be education–focused rather than sales-led, so you shouldn’t feel “sold to” but informed about new technologies and how these may affect education. I have heard the session from British Esports and found it incredibly insightful. It was something I thought I knew about, but tuned out understood very little about its wider role and purpose. Net-Ctrl is not affiliated with this event – this is an end-user-only event – you will not be tied to Net-Ctrl in any way. I am promoting the event as it’s one I see a lot of value in attending. Register here: https://riseandconnectlondon.splashthat.com/ Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, Josh

If you would like we can run a free predictive survey for you - and build out a switch design to support it and indicative costs for installation if you would like something more formal to present. No buy-in/expectations from us for any work.

Fortinet provide a range of free certified self-paced training - https://www.fortinet.com/training-certification

I wasn't 100% sure whether to post this - but it's something we're really proud to have achieved at Net-Ctrl and I decided to share it with you all. Net-Ctrl recently attended the Ruckus UK&I partner conference in Newport, Wales where we got the chance to hear from the senior leadership team and SE community at Ruckus about the latest technologies and market updates. The conference also hosted the annual partner awards, Net-Ctrl had been nominated for two awards based on FY23 performance and ability to deliver solutions and was awarded the Ruckus UKI Education Partner of the Year 2023 by the Ruckus senior leadership team. This award is a small demonstration of our ability to deliver in a competitive WLAN market, and partner community. We know there are a lot of great wireless integrators in the market so an award like this is something we’re really proud to have achieved and gives us comfort that what we’re striving towards is working. Those of you who have worked with us will know that we're a small dedicated team. We want to understand client challenges and design solutions that help solve these. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re considering your Wi-Fi or switching estates – please come and speak to us and hopefully you’ll see why we’re trusted to deliver Ruckus in schools and colleges throughout the UK. You can send me a PM on this account, or email me at [email protected].

Hi @Badaz52 - if you're still struggling with the above, please send me a PM and I can set up a short call with one of our SEs to try to diagnose and point you in the right direction.

Running in v10 you will be able to run all the RX10 series (R510, R610, R710 etc), plus the R720. With no Support contract in place, you wouldn't be able to upgrade beyond that code. You should be able to find some RX10 series APs on Ebay etc. If you struggle, I can see if any clients of ours have any they would be looking to sell post upgrades. With your licenses, you can obviously add 2x APs to your estate with no need for further licenses. Pretty sure you can still add additional licenses to your estate even without a Support contract in place to expand beyond that 50 Ap count. I will double check that for you.

Hi David, what firmware are you running? If running the latest version 10.5 you can run the Wi-Fi 6 portfolio, like R550, R650 etc. You can still continue to add licenses/support - please note the ZD1200 will go EOL in October 2027. Should you need any support with licenses, support, AP - or just general advice, please feel free to PM or email me at [email protected]

A free access recording of the session is available here: https://www.net-ctrl.com/meet-kcsie-guidelines-with-fastvue-2/

Thank you to those able to attend - a free access recording is available here: https://www.net-ctrl.com/ruckus-the-next-generation-network/

Hi all - just a reminder this session is today at 2PM with Fastvue looking at KCSiE guidelines. Sign-up here. All registrations will be sent a recording of the session directly - I will also post a link to the recording once available on this thread.

Net-Ctrl partners with Fastvue to help schools and colleges meet KCSiE guidelines. In addition, FastVue integrates into leading firewalls in Education (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Sophos, Barracuda, SonicWall). With the increasing risk of exposure to online extremism, cyber-bullying, and the new crime of cyberflashing among young people, the onus for educators to know what their students are doing online is now enshrined in the latest OFSTED requirements. Since last September, UK Schools have been obligated under the Department for Education's Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) guidelines to be able to report on every child's online activity. There are many safeguarding tools out there that help schools meet this requirement, but the quickest, simplest, most secure and cost-effective one is Fastvue. Used by over 600 schools already, Fastvue provides detailed, real-time reporting and alerting for every device and every user connected to the school network, every time they connect to your network. Agenda FastVue Introduction The regulations - what's changed? What does this mean for educators? How to meet the specific needs of KCSiE with Fastvue? Q&A Sign-up here. All registrations will be sent a copy of the recording post-session.

Net-Ctrl will be joined by RUCKUS Networks and Everything ICT as we explore the future demands of the next-generation network, and possible procurement routes via Education aligned framework providers. Whilst this is Ruckus-led - this should be a really interesting session for everyone as we discuss broader considerations, regardless of your vendor of choice. Richard Leadbetter, UK Education Lead, and Deep Johal, Systems Engineer at RUCKUS Networks, will be looking at: Reducing the network burden - How AI can enhance operations and troubleshoot issues to reduce the network burden on IT staff The Next Generation Network - A look at what things schools should be looking at from a wired perspective to prepare for the next generation of devices (e.g. WIFI7 access points). Wi-Fi 7: What it is, the use-case, and where it should sit in your future Wi-Fi plans. Followed by Cath Connolly, Education Account Manager at Everything ICT (EICT), who will be discussing the benefits of using procurement frameworks, and how they can: Simplify and streamline your procurement processes Provide compliance assurance Reduce time and resources on procurement Ensure competitive pricing RUCKUS Networks builds and delivers purpose-driven networks that perform in tough, unique environments. Leveraging network assurance and enterprise-wide automation driven by AI and machine learning (ML), RUCKUS empower our customers to deliver exceptional experiences for every employee, guest, customer, student and resident who counts on those networks to connect with their digital lives. Everything ICT is a fully compliant and DfE-recommended ICT procurement framework tailored specifically for the education sector. It has become a preferred choice due to its user-friendly approach, dedicated customer support throughout the procurement process, wide array of trusted suppliers, and strict adherence to procurement regulations. The Everything ICT framework offers an ideal solution for schools and MATs seeking a seamless, compliant, and hassle-free procurement experience. Sign-up here. All registrations will be sent a copy of the recording.

100% - Any solution needs buy in from all relevant departments and the wider staff team - what we try to encourage is school/colleges to define a roles/responsibilities plan. Who is dealing with alerts, and do you have their buy in, and establish next steps. This can't be something else added to the workload of those in IT. Furthermore, how the topic is educated, and these changes are communicated to students, staff and parents is key to the success. We have been running sessions with those dealing with the alerts and how they can manage, prioritise and deal with alerts which has helped sites.

No worries - yes the SE I briefly spoke with said it gets a bit complicated, but possible to do. Beyond my understanding though. In regards to Support Contracts, it can vary. If we need to escalate to Ruckus, or access to firmware etc anything that involves Ruckus they will ask for a valid support contract. With requests that don't involve them and without a Net-Ctrl support contract in place, we don't tend to commit to making the changes/consultancy-type service but general advice/pointing in the right direction is fine, where capacity allows it. The offer stands for a quick call to discuss further.

Hi @CHiLL - it gets a little complicated and beyond my expertise to succinctly explain or understand (simple marketeer here) we could however run a call with one of our SEs in order to achieve the above if that would help? Send me a PM and we can organise. From my understanding - the change would be in the WLAN groups - you'd create an additional group with 2.4Ghz only. Create additional AP groups with 2.4 only SSIDs, where relevant. Within those 2.4Ghz only AP Groups update to 2.4Ghz WLAN Groups. One of my SE's will do a much better job of explaining.

Thanks - I will ask a couple of our clients and let you know.

Hi Ken - how many do you need?