Advanced model of optimizing network infrastructure at ICT centre of excellence, Federal College of Education Yola, Adamawa State Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing reliance on digital infrastructure in academic institutions necessitates a robust and efficient network system to support administrative, instructional, and research activities. This paper presents an advanced model for optimizing the network infrastructure at the ICT Centre of Excellence (COE), Federal College of Education (FCE) Yola. The current network faces persistent issues such as low latency and poor throughput. These problems were largely traced back to limited bandwidth, frequent network breakdowns, out-dated network topology, and subpar cable quality. To better understand and address these issues, a survey was carried out. A total of 77 individuals participated in the study, including 69 regular users and 8 staff members. Data collection tools included questionnaires, direct observation, and guided interviews. The responses were analysed using simple frequency counts and percentages. Findings revealed that users regularly experienced delays in data display and transmission, pointing to inefficiencies in the network setup. The results underscored the need for a more robust optimization strategy to better handle the complex, interconnected nature of the ICT centre’s network processes. Based on these insights, several recommendations were put forward to management. These include increasing bandwidth capacity, adopting a more efficient network topology, and upgrading the quality of network cables. Implementing these changes is expected to significantly improve network performance at the centre.