Enterasys Networks’ 802.11b RoamAbout™ wireless solution was selected for implementation in key hospitals throughout Corry and Kerry in Southern Ireland. Using laptop computers, children at Cork University Hospital will be able to attend a virtual classroom from their bedsides.

"For the first time, a child who has to spend weeks or months in the hospital can attend their normal classroom by a virtual local area network, accessed and supported by Enterasys’ RoamAbout wireless technology. The student, who is a patient, can see and interact with their normal teacher and fellow classmates, and be seen and heard by them. All this can take place at the patient’s bedside—it’s a great working example of technology in action that will hopefully lead to faster recovery rates for the children here," explained Jim Leahy, IT manager of the S.H.B.

Laptops connected to Enterasys’ IEEE 802.11b RoamAbout Access Cards and Points will enable users to wirelessly access Cork University Hospital’s wired LAN. With their laptop placed by their bedside, each child simply logs-on via the Internet to the virtual classroom. The wired LAN also consists of Enterasys’ networking technology: Matrix E7 switch provides a scalable gigabit Ethernet backbone, with edge connectivity provided by Enterasys’ Vertical Horizon switches.

In addition, to implementing a virtual classroom, the S.H.B. has linked three hospitals in the area in order to centralize its patient record system and improve the communication and speed of data transfer between medial staffs in the area. Enterasys’ building-to-building RoamAbout solution provides the wireless connectivity. Security is ensured by way of 128-bit encryption technology incorporated into both Enterasys’ indoor and outdoor solutions.