Transformation of Network Infrastructure in Educational Environments: A Study Proposal for the Oxford Educational Unit

  • Verónica Pailiacho Mena Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato
  • Enrique Garcés Freire Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato
  • Dennis Chicaiza Universidad Técnica de Ambato
  • Francisco Vega Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61236/ciya.v10i1.1241
Keywords: Network redesign, VLANs, Network security, GNS3

Abstract

Nowadays, network infrastructure is the backbone of communication within organizations, and the education sector is no exception. Moreover, it has an added value, since without adequate infrastructure it is not possible to provide access to innovative and educational resources that support the teaching–learning process. This research presents a proposal for a study of the communications network of the Oxford Educational Unit, located in the province of Cotopaxi, Ecuador. The project focused on improving the scalability and security of the existing infrastructure, and the Kanban method was used to organize the activities to be carried out. During the analysis phase, an inventory of active network devices was conducted, determining that the network is flat, with a high volume of broadcast packets, and includes devices operating with factory-default configurations and without any monitoring mechanisms. Therefore, a network redesign is proposed, incorporating key aspects such as compliance with structured cabling standards, network segmentation, implementation of VLANs and Inter-VLAN routing, configuration of security measures (BPDU Guard, Port Security, DHCP Snooping), and additional controls through firewalls and ACLs. A simulation was developed using GNS3 to validate the effectiveness of the proposed design, demonstrating its ability to optimize performance, ensure security, and adapt to the institution’s future growth. Additionally, the proposal was validated by field specialists, achieving 100% satisfaction in criteria such as structure, adaptability, and security.

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Published
2026-01-16
How to Cite
Pailiacho Mena, V., Garcés Freire, E., Chicaiza, D., & Vega, F. (2026). Transformation of Network Infrastructure in Educational Environments: A Study Proposal for the Oxford Educational Unit. Ciencias De La Ingeniería Y Aplicadas, 10(1), 147-163. https://doi.org/10.61236/ciya.v10i1.1241
Issue
Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026)
Section
Research article

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