Welcome to the SWWC Wide Area Network Consortium

We deliver an ENTERPRISE NETWORK while focusing on the SAFETY and SECURITY of the STUDENTS, STAFF, and PATRONS at our member school districts and libraries.

The SWWC Service Cooperative Wide Area Network is a collaborative project of school districts, libraries, and SWWC. We provide high-speed network connectivity to all of our members as well as high speed Internet connectivity and access to the Internet2 consortium and other telecommunication consortia throughout the state of Minnesota.

What makes the SWWC Wide Area Network Consortium more than being an Internet Service Provider?

Aggregated and shared infrastructure - serving schools and libraries with enterprise-scale technologies
Advanced network management by experts in network support
Management of interactive television (ITV) distance learning system
Managed network security systems and monitoring
Management of fundamental cybersecurity practices and solutions
Shared data management solutions and hosting
Management of E-Rate procurement processes
Management of Minnesota Telecommunications Access Equity Aid
Grant opportunity management, facilitation, and support
Representation of member districts in statewide and national conversations and projects

Map of Minnesota's Telecommunication Networks

SWWC Service Cooperative Wide Area Network Consortium Technology Plan Resources

Video Conferencing User Resources

Video Conferencing, or ITV, connections work under two basic connection types: Direct Dialing and Bridged meetings.

Direct Dialing

Most Video Conferencing systems (aka. Tandberg, Cisco, ITV) on the SWWC Service Cooperative System are capable of supporting direct dialing to up to three other systems, meaning there can be a total of four participating sites in a single call. Direct dialing is great for ad-hoc meetings, or small meetings that do not take place often. Direct Dialing is not able to be scheduled, and cannot be recorded or easily troubleshooted when connection issues occur and therefore is not used for ITV Classes and other frequently occurring meetings.

Bridged Meetings

All SWWC Service Cooperative Video Conferencing systems are capable of participating in a Bridged Meeting. Bridged meetings can have dozens of participating sites in a single call. Bridged calls can also be recorded and scheduled. Bridged calls are used regularly for ITV Classes and also allow quick troubleshooting by SWWC Service Cooperative Technical Support when issues arise. Participants in bridged calls can connect from video conferencing equipment, located at the sites available in the resource list below, or from any computer that has a webcam and microphone by utilizing the SWWC Acano service.

Bridged calls must be coordinated with SWWC Service Cooperative by contacting our Technology Support Helpdesk at 507-537-2260 or helpdesk@swwc.org. Please allow a minimum of 24 hours to setup a bridged call.

Video Conferencing Resources

Sites Available for Video Conferencing
(SWWC Wide Area Network and SWWC Offices)

Tandberg and Cisco "MXP" Remote Control Quick Reference Guide
- This guide will work for all SWWC Service Cooperative Video Conferencing Equipment Purchased through our 2006 and 2010 USDA RUS-DLT Grants. This Equipment is branded with the Tandberg Name on the Remote Control.
2010 RUS Grant ITV Classroom Equipment Notes
- Outlines how to switch between broadcasting your classroom camera, document camera and computer.

Video Conferencing Resources for Telepractice

Resources for Telepractice Service Providers:

Teletherapy Tips and Tricks for Working with Students

Technical Documentation

If you need to request technical support, please contact the SWWC Helpdesk at 507-537-2260 or helpdesk@swwc.org.

Telepractice FAQs

What devices & web browsers support Cisco Meeting Spaces?

We have put together a document outlining the supported platforms and web browsers for Cisco Meeting Spaces. Please note that only versions of hardware and software that are supported by their manufacturer can be supported by SWWC. For example, a computer running Windows 7 might seem to operate without issue, but Windows 7 is no longer supported by Microsoft, the manufacturer of Windows 7, and therefore it is not supported by SWWC. Compatibility List for Cisco Meeting Spaces

What do I do? I can't access permissions for my microphone & camera

If you are using Chrome, you may need to access the Security and Privacy Settings. Follow the steps below:

Click on the three dots in the upper right of Chrome and click on Settings
Click on Privacy and Security
Click on Site Settings under Privacy and Security
Check the settings for Camera and Microphone. They should be "Ask before accessing"
Expand the Camera settings by click on the arrow
Make sure "Ask before accessing (recommended)" is toggled to on.
If you see reference to Cisco Meeting under the Block grouping, click on the trash can next to it to remove it from the block.
Repeat these same steps for the Microphone.
Then reboot.

What do I do? I am experiencing glitchy video & audio

There are several things to check if you are experiencing glitchy video and audio together. When both audio and video are simultaneously showing issues, it is normally a sign of a network related problem.

Visit www.speedtest.net and run a Speed Test. The desired result should be approximately 5 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, but connections as low as 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload should still support a good quality conference experience.
If you are running on WiFi, make sure you are in close proximity to your WiFi router. As you move further away from your WiFi router, even just one room away, you can begin to see available bandwidth diminish drastically.
Run a "hardwire connection" to your computer by connecting it using a CAT5 or CAT6 ethernet cable to your nearest switch or router. A hardwired connection will provide you with a consistent connection with good bandwidth to your provider's equipment.

Video Field Trips

Interactive Television (ITV) Courses

Internet 2

All Members of the SWWC Service Cooperative Wide Area Network are also members of the Internet2 Consortium. The SWWC Service Cooperative WAN has a 900 Mbps dedicated connection to the University of Minnesota, the GigaPOP for Minnesota Internet2 access.

More Information About Internet 2

Internet2 – the next generation of the Internet – is an ultra-high-speed network developed by a nonprofit consortium of universities, industry and government to speed the exchange of complex information. Minnesota school have access to Internet2 because they are an education group sponsored by the University of Minnesota.

Partners in this venture include the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Regional Telecommunication Networks. Many others have participated in special projects and pilots, some featured on our projects page.

Internet2 is a consortium of more than 300 U.S. colleges and universities working with partners from leading corporations, government agencies, research labs and international organizations to develop the next-generation Internet. Launched in 1996, Internet2 is a membership-based, commercial-free venture involving an infrastructure that is independent of – but interfaces with – the existing “commodity Internet.” Participating institutions fund Internet2 development through their membership fees. In addition, they commit human resources to this collaborative effort.

Internet 2 Consortium Website

Minnesota Internet2 Community UserGroup on Google Groups

The Offerings of Internet2 Include:

Real Time Collaboration
Video Field Trips to Educational Institutions
- Witness a knee replacement surgery first hand and interact with the doctors
- Visit the International Wolf Center without leaving your school
- Interact with a classroom outside of the United States
Reliable interconnection to other Minnesota School Districts Participating in Internet2

CIPA and Internet Safety

As recipients of E-Rate funding all schools in the SWWC Wide Area Network are required to maintain CIPA Compliance. One of the critical components in becoming CIPA compliant is having an adequate content filtering policy. SWWC currently utilizes Fortinet for our content filter, allowing us to maintain an enterprise class filtering solution for each school district on the Wide Area Network. Your school will be asked to complete an FCC Form 479 on an annual basis to document your CIPA compliance to the WAN Consortium.

Click here to learn more about CIPA Compliance & Internet Safety