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General Product Guidelines
Maintenance and Technical Support
Redundant and Spare Equipment
Redundant Supervisor Engine -- Ineligible
Content Networking
IP Telephony
IP Communications
Routers/Switches/EDGE Devices
Security and VPN Devices
Wireless LAN Products
Network Management
E-rate provides discounts on the conduits that deliver information to the classroom or library. Generally speaking, if equipment can be removed without disrupting a classroom′s connection to the Internet (or other information source), then the equipment will not be eligible for E-rate support. Similarly, if students can not access the Internet or their e-mail without a certain device, then that device will be eligible for E-rate support. Note, however, that end user devices, such as desktop computers, are never eligible for E-rate support.
Eligible:
The E-rate does not provide discounts for the purchase of equipment that is warehoused, or otherwise sits idle. Spare equipment is not eligible for E-rate discounts.
NOTE: Redundant or spare equipment that is installed and functioning is eligible for support. For example, an additional power supply that is installed and functioning in a “hot standby” mode is considered eligible for E-rate support. Applicants should clearly identify how “spare” or “redundant” equipment is being used.
On April 18, the SLD issued findings in connections with the eligibility of Redundant Supervisor Engines. According to the SLD, a Redundant Supervisor Engine belongs in the class of “equipment that only becomes active if a primary component fails.” That category of equipment, the SLD contends, “is not necessary to transport information to eligible locations” and, therefore, is ineligible. The SLD′s position is directly at odds with the FCC′s conclusion that uninterruptible power supply (UPS) equipment is eligible. An applicant whose request for funding for a Redundant Supervisor Engine is denied should appeal that decision to the FCC, citing the UPS example as precedent for why the SLD′s decision should be reversed. E-rate Program rules permit any party adversely affected by an SLD decision to appeal it. Therefore, a vendor involved in a Redundant Supervisor transaction may also file an appeal.
Cisco Content Networking Devices consist of a family of products which route, switch and deliver voice, video and data content. These products primarily are eligible for E-rate support because they form a conduit that delivers information to the classroom or library.
The Cisco Wide Area Application Engine series products are being specified by Cisco as the replacement for the Content Engine line. The former Content Engine products were cost-allocated on the basis of their hard disk storage space, which is used primarily as a caching mechanism (which is ineligible for E-rate support.) With the introduction of the WAE series, Cisco changed the manner in which the devices are configured. The following Cisco part numbers ship with no hard disk drives installed:
WAE-511-K9 (Wide Area Application Engine 511, NO HDD INCL, SW ACNS/WAFS)
WAE-611-K9 (Wide-Area Application Engine 611, NO HDD, SW ACNS/WAFS)
WAE-7326-K9 (Wide Area Application Engine 7326, NO HDD INCL, SW ACNS/WAFS)
The hard drives required for the operation of the WAE series products, then, are as follows:
DISK-611SC-144GB 144 GB SCSI Disk Drive for WAE-611
DISK-SATA-250GB 250 GB SATA Disk Drive for FE/CE/WAE-511, option
DISK-SATA-250GB= 250 GB SATA Disk Drive for FE/CE/WAE-511, spare
DISK-SATA-80GB 80 GB SATA Disk Drive for CE/FE/WAE-511, option
DISK-SATA-80GB= 80 GB SATA Disk Drive for CE/FE/WAE-511, spare
DISK-SCSI-72GB (=) 72 GB Ultra 320 SCSI disk for Cisco WAE-7326
DISK-SCSI-144GB (=) 144 GB Ultra 320 SCSI disk for Cisco WAE-7326
Because the storage capacity of the WAE device is ineligible for discount, the part numbers for the storage devices (the “DISK” parts listed above) should be 0% eligible for discounts. The WAE devices themselves, then, should be 100% eligible for discount as they do not ship with any storage capacity installed.
- Content Distribution Managers
- Content Routers
| Content Engines (75%-80% eligible) | |
| Content Engine 510A | 75% Eligible |
| Content Engine 510-AV | 80% Eligible |
| Content Engine 565A | 75% Eligible |
| Content Engine 565-AV | 78% Eligible |
| Content Engine 7305A | 75% Eligible |
| Content Engine 7325A | 75% Eligible |
- Content Services Switches
- Content Transformation Engines
- Secure Content Accelerators
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The Eligible Services list continues to state (under Internal Connections) that “otherwise eligible Internal Connections components may include technology for providing real-time or near real-time voice or video over IP (VoIP)”.
- Call Manager
- Call Manager User License
- Integrated Communication Systems
- Media Convergence Server
- Unity Messaging (Voicemail)
- Voice Gateways
- Telephone handsets
- SRST (Survivable Remote Site Telephony) licenses and components
Interconnected Voice over IP (Priority 1 VoIP Services)
For the 2007 funding year, the SLD has included “Interconnected Voice over IP” as an eligible service in the Priority 1 funding category. Interconnected VoIP provides E-rate applicants with an IP-based service that allows them to place or receive calls from the traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) using broadband data connections. The FCC identifies iVoIP in the Internet Access service category. To qualify as iVoIP, a service must meet a host of requirements. These requirements can be grouped into three categories: (1) iVoIP-specific, (2) CPE (customer premise equipment)-related, and (3) general E-rate requirements.
At the current time, official eligibility rulings of proposed solutions are unavailable for analysis. However, based on a detailed analysis of applicable regulations it appears that the service with the highest likelihood of being funded is an iVoIP service that consists entirely of equipment located off of school property. A solution that includes limited CPE would also likely be eligible as long as it was delivered under the same service agreement as the school’s broadband connection. Solutions that are based on the deployment of switches or call processing equipment to end-user locations are unlikely to meet with success. Because iVoIP solutions will be evaluated for eligibility on a case-by-case basis, applicants and service providers are strongly encouraged to seek guidance on specific solutions prior to requesting E-rate support.
Note: because the Federal Communications Commission has not yet determined whether Voice Over IP is a telecommunications service, iVoIP will not be eligible for discounts in the Telecommunications Services category, pending resolution of this issue. All iVoIP funding requests should be filed in the Priority 1: Internet Access funding category.
For the Cisco Digital Media System components, Funds For Learning has reviewed a complete set of DMS documentation in light of USAC’s published eligibility regulations and the historical precedent we have observed from the SLD’s eligibility determinations. Based on our review, we believe the four components of the DMS break down as follows:
Cisco Digital Media Encoders
The Cisco Digital Media Encoders should be fully eligible for support. The Eligible Services List clearly defines CODECs and video encoders as eligible components, and we do not anticipate problems with a properly filed funding request for the encoder products.
Cisco Digital Media Manager
Based on the information provided in the DMS Technical Overview whitepaper (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6681/products_white_paper0900aecd8052f43c.shtml), we believe that the Digital Media Manager has little chance of being successfully funded by the SLD. Cisco’s marketing literature consistently describes the DMM as a “web-based media management application.” Based on the description of the DMM’s functionality provided by the whitepapers and technical documentation, we believe that this description is accurate – but it is also the reason that the SLD is not likely to fund the DMM. The DMS “Simply Compelling Communications” brochure (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6681/prod_brochure0900aecd80537ce5.html) states the following:
The Cisco DMM provides flexible tools for users to manage content and approval flows, schedule instant and future content playback, and create playlists. It supports the ability to customize signage screen layouts and remotely control digital displays; and the ability to manage Q&A for live desktop video broadcasts and to synchronize slides for both live events and video on demand (VoD) sessions.
Based on the sum total of the information made available on Cisco’s website, it appears that the DMM’s primary functionality is the management and manipulation of video content. Clearly, it is a key component of the Cisco DMS solution as a whole, and its featureset is a critical component of Cisco’s competitive advantage for the DMS. However, there is very little content in any of the documentation to support how the DMM is a required component for the distribution of video information.
Cisco Video Portal
In a similar manner to the DMM, we do not believe the SLD will provide funding for the Cisco Video Portal. Per the aforementioned brochure:
The Web-based Cisco Video Portal allows users to easily browse, search, and view digital media interactively on your desktop. It provides secure login, customizable play lists, search, advanced player controls, full-screen playback, slide synchronization, viewer questions support, and a secure usage reporting tool.
Unfortunately, the Eligible Services List explicitly states that equipment facilitating the “distribution and selection of video content” is ineligible for support when operated by the end-user. In addition, application software which allows the creation (or addition) of rich-media content (such as Q&A, slides, and other content) is not eligible for support.
Cisco Digital Media Player
In general, the functionality of the DMP could be described as a “decoder” – essentially accepting an encoded video stream and converting it for display on a visual device (monitor, television, etc.) We believe that the DMP should qualify for support when used in this manner. The digital signage license, however, would only qualify for support insofar as it is required for the DMP to display video content. With respect to digital signage, the infrastructure necessary for “signage” data to be distributed across an applicant’s network would be eligible, but any software or equipment necessary to create or manage signage content would be ineligible.
Other Components
When used in a DMS deployment, the Cisco ACNS architecture should be eligible for support, as described in the whitepaper at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6681/products_white_paper0900aecd8052f42e.shtml. In addition, both the Desktop Video and Desktop Video with ACNS whitepapers (both in “Figure 1”) describe a “streaming server” that should qualify for support. Generally speaking, we see video streaming servers funded by the SLD as (essentially) CODECs, although we frequently see the SLD require cost-allocation of any content storage space that may be included in the server.
- Broadcast Server
- Starter System (83% Eligible)
- Archive Server
- Control Server
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All types of routers and switches are eligible for E-rate support. Optical transport platforms and other EDGE devices are also eligible.
Certain models of the Integrated Services Router line shold be cost-allocated to remove ineligible functionality like SRST. The most recent cost-allocation information may be found by clicking here .
Redundant Supervisor Engine -- Ineligible
On April 18, the SLD issued findings in connections with the eligibility of Redundant Supervisor Engines. According to the SLD, a Redundant Supervisor Engine belongs in the class of “equipment that only becomes active if a primary component fails.” That category of equipment, the SLD contends, “is not necessary to transport information to eligible locations” and, therefore, is ineligible. The SLD′s position is directly at odds with the FCC′s conclusion that uninterruptible power supply (UPS) equipment is eligible. An applicant whose request for funding for a Redundant Supervisor Engine is denied should appeal that decision to the FCC, citing the UPS example as precedent for why the SLD′s decision should be reversed. E-rate Program rules permit any party adversely affected by an SLD decision to appeal it. Therefore, a vendor involved in a Redundant Supervisor transaction may also file an appeal.
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- Firewalls:
- Cisco PIX
- Cisco ASA5500: Some models should be cost-allocated. To obtain the most recent eligibility spreadsheet for the ASA5500 series, please click here .
- VPN-related hardware and software
- Cisco Security Agent (Server and Desktop): The SLD has now decided that CSA is ineligible and WILL reject funding requests. However, the issue remains under discussion. Therefore, applicants should apply for discounts on CSA Server and CSA Desktop, each in a separate Form 471 funding request (FRN), and file an appeal with the SLD or FCC if/when rejected. When the SLD rejects a funding request, both the applicant AND the service provider named on the application have the right to file an appeal.
- Cisco Intrusion Prevention System components
- Cisco Clean Access: Funds For Learning participated in a lengthy dialogue with the SLD regarding the eligibility status of CCA, and we were ultimately told that CCA would not be eligible for discount as the SLD’s policy is to only fund “basic firewalls.” In addition, the same response was given when we inquired as to the eligibility of other manufacturers’ NAC solutions.
Wireless LAN networking equipment is eligible for E-rate support.
- Wireless Access Points
- Wireless NICs
- Masts, antennas and cabling necessary for LAN infrastructure
- Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers: The SLD has now determined that the WLAN Controllers are eligible for E-rate discounts.
- RF studies and other design work
- ACS Wireless Authentication Software
- CiscoWorks Wireless LAN Solution Engine (WLSE)
- Point-to-point WAN wireless
- Wireless Location Appliance
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Equipment that provides network monitoring or managment functionality is not eligible for E-rate support.