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eDan Internet Infrastructure |
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eDan is the next generation Internet infrastructure that is currently deployed in the Dan River Region. It is capable of transmitting information at high speeds - up to a billion bits per second and uses optical fiber and wireless technologies. The infrastructure is designed to be "open access" which means that any provider of Internet or application services can choose to use this infrastructure. Service providers do not have to incur the considerable expense of installing their own high speed networks to provide their most advanced services to businesses, organizations and citizens in the Dan River Region.
eDan as a Tool for Economic Growth
The national, and to an increasing extent global, economy is rapidly moving toward being "knowledge-based" with decreasing reliance on manufacturing and agriculture. The "products" of a knowledge-based economy are primarily intellectual, rather than physical products, and are dependent on electronic highways, rather than Interstates or waterways, to reach their markets. Thus, to be a player in the emerging economy, the Dan River Region must rely on its highly capable electronic communications infrastructure.
Although the eDan infrastructure is attractive to existing large businesses in the Dan River Region, it offers incredible potential to other important sources of economic growth. eDan enables a "producer network," meaning that individuals in our community no longer need to think of themselves as primarily consumers of products and services available through a communications network, but can be empowered as producers of very rich multimedia products and services that they can offer to the network. In a national economy that is producing most new jobs in 1-25 person organizations, e-entrepreneurs and outsourced e-services providers can live in the Dan River Region and serve a distant market. Additionally, the bandwidth, or traffic carrying capacity, of eDan will be critical to research activities that Virginia Tech is looking to bring to the Dan River Region. |
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Voice/Data Network |
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 Voice and data are converged over a local area network to provide state-of-the-art communication capability. Also known as IP Telephony, this architecture enables applications that require voice and data elements to be combined. In the past, separate networks were required to handle traditional voice, data and video traffic, which limited their usefulness. Each required separate transport requirements making them costly to install, maintain and reconfigure, in which integration was basically impossible. By blending voice, video and data and employing a common transport for each, it effectively merges three networks into one. The benefits of IP Telephony are easier manageability, lower costs for services and support, and new tools for collaboration which will ultimately lead to increased productivity.
A Unified Messaging system permits the storage of voice mail and email on a common server and access or retrieval of any message from any phone or internet-connected computer. For example, traveling professionals can access, respond to and manage all their messages from personal computers, regular telephones, cell phones or the Internet – regardless of the device used to create the initial message. |
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Technology Capabilties |
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Atrium
The Atrium is a breathtaking reception and gathering area with steel and walls of glass, featuring an eye-catching 13’ x 13’ video wall of nine 42” plasma screens. This video wall can be programmed to show one image or up to nine separate images.
- Nine 50” plasma displays that are controlled by Electrosonic Video processor
- Satellite TV
- Computer Display
- DVD/VCR
- Up to 6 wired microphones or 2 wireless microphones
- Speakers surround the perimeter of room to fill the room
- Crestron control system with 12” touch panel
- Axis TV digital signage displayed
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Great Hall
The Great Hall is the largest space occupying over 8,000 square feet. This room features two large screens and projectors that conveniently retract into the ceiling when not in use. A touch panel automates the dividing of the room into six smaller units and coordinates the lighting, audio, microphones, and projection systems.
- Two 12’ x 16’ projection screens - videoconferencing capabilities
- NEC Projector 5,000 ANSI, XGA
- VCR, DVD, computer, satellite television, and RCA inputs
- Crestron Control System
- Up to 6 wireless microphones – either handheld or lapel
- 6 gooseneck mics for panels discussions
- SHARP portable projectors, portable speakers, and microphones for individual salons
- Assisted listening system
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Executive Auditorium
This tiered auditorium features a cinema-quality 9’ x 16’ high definition screen and digital surround –sound audio that can be used for educational, business, or civic presentations. The Executive Auditorium accommodates 135 persons at built-in tables that permit both wired and wireless high speed Internet connectivity. Two cameras allow for presentations to be sent via video conference throughout the world.
- 9’ x 16’ HDTV projection screen
- Crestron control system with 12” touch panel
- Video conferencing with Polycom codec, two cameras – one for audience and one for presenter
- Digitial surround sound
- VCR, DVD, computer, and satellite television inputs
- Multiple projector inputs – which means you can use two projectors and display side by side on the screen
- Up to 4 wireless microphones – either handheld or lapel
- Assisted listening system
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Business Conference Rooms
The Business Conference Rooms are specially designed for groups seeking to conduct their meetings and presentations in a high-tech environment. Three standard rooms are situated on the second floor overlooking the Atrium. The Executive Board Room, the largest conference room, can seat over 30 people around a large oval meeting table and overlooks the Atrium as well. In these rooms, presenters will find strategically placed plasma television screens so that all involved may clearly view any presentation or video conference in an atmosphere worthy of a Fortune 500 company.
- Crestron control system with 12” touch panel
- Two types of displays – either 100” projection screen or 61” plasma
- Two plasmas that can display two different items at the same time
- Barco projector 3500 ANSI
- VCR, DVD, two computer, and satellite television inputs
- Video conferencing with Polycom codec; multipoint capability up to 4 sites including IALR; video conference bridge available for lager conferences
- Teleconferencing ability with bridge access up to 16 participants
- The Executive board room has built in document cameras and up to 4 computer inputs where two can be displayed at a time
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Learning Lift-off Math Lab 
Modeled after the original Math Emporium at Virginia Tech, this large room features clusters of computer workstations, or “pods,” accommodating approximately 54 people in total. Students use self-directed courseware with tutors or faculty members present for extra help. One-on-one or small group tutoring can be accomplished by pulling students aside and using the Emporium’s writable, erasable wall surface to illustrate complex concepts.
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Distance Education Classrooms
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 Faculty Development Classroom:
Equipped with dual screens and computer workstations throughout, this classroom can seat approximately 32 persons and is designed especially for educating teachers in K-12 and higher education about integrating technology into their teaching. This room also offers opportunities for teaching computer-based classes to larger numbers of students.
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 Large Distance Learning Classrooms:
Interactive videoconferencing capability allows a teacher and 32 students in this classroom to interact with students at multiple, geographically distant locations, both visually and orally. Presenter camera, document camera, VCR, and DVD player allow the instructor to share different kinds of material with students when classes originate from this location.
- Two HD rooms with multiple displays for content and video
- Two additional rooms with one standard display
- Two cameras – one for teacher and one for students
- SMART Symposium – a digital display with a pen that allows you to write on anything the computer displays such as a PowerPoint presentations or take notes in a SMART notebook. Then these notes can be saved to the PowerPoint and emailed to anyone. This replaces dry/erase boards and allows others in a videoconference to see what is being written.
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Other Technology
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Computer Labs
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Room 227 – 32 computers with instructor computer displayed with SHARP projector on a 120” screen
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