To keep pace with the growing demand for reliable internet services driven by an increase in student population, Karatina University partnered with KENET through the Direct Engineering Support (DES) service to strengthen its campus network. The engagement resulted in improved network stability and enhanced internet performance, enabling students and staff to access online learning resources, research platforms, and university systems with fewer connectivity disruptions.

With a student population of approximately 14,600, the University experienced increased pressure on its network infrastructure, leading to challenges such as network loops, Wi-Fi dead spots, and inefficient bandwidth utilization. These challenges prompted the University to seek technical assistance from KENET.

Karatina University.

During the engagement, KENET engineers conducted a comprehensive assessment of the University's network, identified infrastructure and configuration gaps, and implemented performance improvements. These included segmenting the campus network through Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), separating wireless and wired traffic to enhance efficiency, and optimizing the connection between the edge router and the core switch to improve performance and reliability.

The KENET team also set up a dedicated network monitoring server and installed two open-source network monitoring tools, Nagios and LibreNMS. Nagios provides real-time monitoring and alerts on the health and performance of network devices, while LibreNMS offers detailed insights into bandwidth utilization, device performance, and network traffic.

Mr. Charles Kariuki, the ICT Director, noted that, “Nowadays, it's rare for us to receive reports of internet connectivity issues. And when we do, Nagios and LibreNMS help us to quickly identify the affected device and diagnose the source of the problem. This allows us to resolve many issues remotely or dispatch a technician to the site with a clear understanding of where the fault is.”

The state-of-the-art, multi-storey Mwai Kibaki Library at Karatina University.

The team also identified priority infrastructure improvements, including fibre segments that require repair and areas where additional wireless access points are needed to enhance network coverage and performance. “As the University continues to grow, we are able to recommend the most suitable equipment for our network, which helps us avoid many of the challenges we faced in the past,” added Mr. Kariuki.

In an effort to reduce downtime caused by power outages, the team installed a power backup system at the University’s Town Campus. The upgrade was aimed at ensuring uninterrupted network services and improved the reliability of internet connectivity for students and staff.

Apart from infrastructure upgrades, a key component for DES exercise is knowledge transfer. Throughout the engagement, KENET engineers worked alongside the University's ICT team, equipping them with the practical skills and expertise needed to diagnose and resolve network issues, manage the campus network more effectively, and sustain the improvements achieved during the exercise.