Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is Building a Campus Fibre Network with 10 Gigabit Ethernet Solutions from Cisco , Deployed by MEED Networks

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, the foremost University situated in the northern region of Nigeria, has selected MEED Networks, one of Cisco’s certified partners, to build the most sophisticated campus networks in Nigeria with Gigabit Ethernet solutions from Cisco Systems®. Prior to this, ABU has been running primarily on a wireless infrastructure which did not scale well to match the growing demands of the university. This coupled with the unique geographical terrain of Zaria has prompted the decision on the part of the university management.
The Turnkey optic fibre based campus network, linking the three major campuses Shika, Samaru and Kongo on an intercampus 10GB scalable backbone with 65+ locations having a minimum of 2GB uplink connectivity comprising of the faculties, halls of residence, digital laboratories and libraries.
The new infrastructure will enable ABU to deliver high-speed Internet and intranet access to its 40,000+ students and staff respectively in its campuses in Zaria, and will enable the university to facilitate e-learning, online applications and multimedia communication services for staff and students.

With the objective of building an infrastructure capable of creating a world-class e-learning environment and to cope with a fast-growing staff and student population, ABU opted for a company that had the technical expertise and a network platform that was reliable, scalable, and could accommodate future technology advancements. The network will support the convergence of storage, data and multimedia at consistent speeds.

As a university that prides itself on academic excellence and the development of the next generation of technology-leaders for Nigeria, it is important that we keep pace with advancements around the world. To become a world-class university, we need to provide world-class facilities with a highly dependable communications infrastructure. Haven explored the various technology options and companies in the network industry, we are very comfortable with the combination of product quality, customer service and technology leadership that MEED Networks and Cisco offered.
MEED Networks will also be leveraging its leased national fibre network capacity, to provide the university access to low latency broadband Internet, an upgrade from their previous VSAT-based service, as well as providing support and training for the institutions IT staff and students. ABU students studying IT-related courses will be given priority for industrial training in MEED Networks where they will have hands-on experience on next generation network solutions running on Cisco platform and Cisco certification exams thereafter.
"It is an honour for MEED Networks to be selected to build the most sophisticated campus networks in Nigeria. We are proud that ABU is playing an exemplary role in investing in technology and its future. We hope that other educational institutions will take heed and ensure technological advancement and promote the evolution of ICT in the country," said the Chief Executive Officer of MEED Networks.

S/NO	USE	AREA (METER SQUARE)	NUMBER OF FLOOR
1	K I L	4,783.07	3
2	Convocation Square	4,400	1
3	Bookshop	1777.77	2
4	Post Graduate School	2104.14	1
5	Senate Building	2157.77	9
6	Senate Parking Space (VIP)	126.64	1
7	Geography Block	1242.75	3
8	Math’s Block	1242.75	3
9	Geology Department	609.821	2
10	Physic Block	736.42	2
11	Physic Block 2	235	2
12	Biological Science	1179.93	3
13	Biological Science Lab 1	488.69	2
14	Biological Science Lab 2	488.69	2
15	Geography Theater	144.50	1
16	Math’s Theater	144.50	1
17	Chemistry	2,841.69	2
18	Chemistry Lab	529.91	1
19	FSLT 1$ 11	618.11	2
20	Faculty of Sc Restaurant	281.49	1
21	Microbiology	1704.92	2
22	Iya Abubakar	680.64	2
23	Old Chemical Engineering	944.43	2
24	Bio Chemistry	1,038.63	2
25	Institute of Education	1,316.83	2
26	Institute Of Education Mosque	514.89	1
27	Faculty of Art Shop	144.78	1
28	Abdullahi Smith Theater	1,151.53	1
29	History Department	330.63	2
	French / Hausa Block	381.58	2
30	English Block	543.50	2
31	Archeology Library Block	442.23	1
32	History Offices	463.42	1
33	Archeology Block	272.87	2
34	Cisco Office	525.75	1
35	Faculty of Art General Office	497.15	1
36	Faculty of Education 1	2178.44	2
37	“ “ “ 11	493.17	2
38	Faculty of Education L. Theater	859.96	2
39	Sociology	468.58	2
40	Sociology Admin. Block	389.36	1
41	Mass Communication 1	460.99	2
42	“ “ 11	460.99	2
43	“ “ Theater 1	115.72	1
44	“ “ “ 11	115.72	1
45	Faculty of Science Toilet	62.55	1
46	Economic Theater	721.10	2
47	Science Lab	2,718.35	1
48	I.S $ Political Science	1421.59	2
49	Fine Art $ Industrial Design 1	71`0.18	3
50	“ “ “ “ “ 11	527.66	1
51	Fine Art office	151.53	1
52	Building /URP Block	151.32	3
53	Theater CD	106.20	1
54	Theater AB	212.91	1
55	Architecture Department	594.67	3
56	Arch Studio	511.51	4
57	Env’tal Design Toilet	52.36	1
58	S U G Secretariat	122.79	1
59	Surveying Department	1`90.55	2
60	Surveying Parking	73.86	1
61	Survey /Civil Eng .Lab	1,294.32	1
62	Civil Engineering Block	877.19	3
63	Electrical Engineering Block	740.80	3
64	“ “ Tower	174.82	3
65	Mechanical Block	729.97	3
66	“ Parking Space	247.97	1
67	Wolfson Theater	292.90	2
68	Mechanical Workshop	629.75	1
69	Material Science Lab	510.59	1
70	New Chemical Department	2069.03	1
71	CADD	1527.12	1
72	Engineering Complex	1984.68	3
73	Textile	1,306.5	2
74	Engineering Complex 11	1392.46	2
75	Biotechnology	798.01	2
76	ABU Press 1	1566.68	2
77	“ “ 11	442.38	2
78	“ “ Parking	391.47	1
79	Nursing / Anatomy	1865.04	4
80	Physiology/ Library	1286.06	4
81	Mortuary	362.69	1
82	Generator Room	383.11	1
83	Umar Shehu L T	1324.90	1
84	Veterinary Library	1113.85	1
85	“ Block 1	442.40	2
86	“ “ 11	337.45	2
87	“ Block 1 & 11 staircase	312.51	1
88	“ Theater 1	366.54	1
89	“ “ 11	261.69	1
90	‘ Lab	738.09	1
91	“ Workshop	1085.86	1
92	“ Halls	471.28	2
93	“ Practical Room	459.60	1
94	“ Hospital	257.14	2
95	“ Research	1,574.27	1
96	Small Block	161	1
97	Vet .Housing Block	583.03	1
98	“ Animal	85.52	1
99	“ 1 Block	308	1