University project: Augsburg students establish network access via fiber optic

As part of a university project, students at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences are setting up functional network access via fiber optics. Cooperation partners include the leading Bavarian fiber optic provider M-net and the self-service company Conntac.

Eight students studying computer science and business informatics at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences had the opportunity to set up functional network access via fiber optics on their own this semester. The university project was led by lecturer Prof. Dr. Rolf Winter and in cooperation with the regional telecommunications provider M-net and the self-service company Conntac. The project ended with a presentation of the results on 22.06.2022.

The university project

The aim of the university project was to establish functional network access via fiber optic (GPON), to make it manageable and adjustable almost at the push of a button. Regulation at the push of a button should make it as easy as possible to set up various configurations. In this way, for example, the configuration of different providers can be changed quickly. In order to determine what state the network is in at all times, the project students set up monitoring.

The tasks of the project team included researching possible software components for setting up the network, designing the network, configuring all necessary network components, implementing the required software components and documentation, and testing with routers from Internet providers.

The cooperation partners M-net and Conntac

The leading Bavarian fiber optic provider M-net supported the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences project with the necessary equipment and technical expertise. As part of a kick-off appointment, students had the opportunity to meet the area manager for planning & implementation at M-net, Lorenz Grehlich and to clarify technical questions about the fiber optic infrastructure.

“We are pleased to support students in this challenging university project with our latest fiber optic technology and practical know-how. As a telecommunications provider from the region for the region, it is important to us to also promote research and university projects locally,” says Lorenz Grehlich.

Another cooperation partner is Augsburg-based IT company Conntac. Conntac develops self-service solutions for technical customer service with a focus on the telecommunications industry. Managing Director and Co-Founder Benjamin Wöhrl provided students with industry and product knowledge as part of the kick-off.

“Conntac GmbH was created from a research group at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences. The combination of science and industry was therefore particularly important for us as a company right from the start. We are delighted to be able to participate in this exciting project together with M-net and the students,” says Benjamin Wöhrl, co-founder and managing director of Conntac GmbH.