Being a one-to-one iPad school is a great challenge.

One of the main challenges of the iPads is the wireless capability. Both the hardware and software behind the wifi have to be superb to handle all of the technology at Regis Jesuit.

At the beginning of the year the infrastructure was already strong with 200 MB fiber optic going into the building. Now, it is even stronger with an 800 MB fiber optic going into the building.

IT manager Kenny Ramos says an upgrade that is soon to come is the firewall. It is being changed to a Palo Alto firewall. The firewall will be more secure, have a higher bandwidth, and will be able to block sites more specifically.

The firewall will be a noticeable upgrade for the students. It will be able to block any apps that connect to the Internet. These apps that are blocked can be chosen by administrators. So, Canvas will not be blocked while Madden or Clash of Clans might be. “Some apps that are prohibited by Regis Jesuit policies we might be able to block them. For example the issue with YikYak site, so that might get blocked,” Mr. Ramos said.

The firewall may also help with the number of times students have to sign into the network. But, it is just a hope as the technology department believes it is more a problem with the iPads software. “We are hoping with that Palo Alto it might change,” Mr. Ramos said.

Regis Jesuit upgraded its internal network and all its wired internet connections. Most of the switches in the building are 10/100/1000 Power Over Ethernet. In the summer they plan to increase bandwidth within the school from 1GB/s to 10GB/s.

As for upgrades that the technology department are thinking about getting. They are looking into digital signage. Digital signage would include touch screens in class rooms that would display weather and maybe the announcements.

“We might be meeting with some vendors just to see if that is really worth it or not,” Mr. Ramos said.