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It seems we are never really done with loads-shedding and even though we try our utmost to prepare for the imminent interruptions, there is only so much we can do.

We realise that a stable internet connection in classrooms is vital for lecturers to stream academic content to students. In most university buildings we have generators in place to provide a backup for load-shedding. However, unfortunately we cannot guarantee uninterrupted supply of power. The reasons are as follows:

When load-shedding starts all network equipment loses power and the generator automatically kicks in. The network equipment will do a so-called “cold-boot” which can take several minutes. Subsequently it can take 10 minutes to 30 minutes (in some extreme cases) for the network to function optimally again.

Adding to this delay it could happen that network equipment will not recover automatically when the generator is activated. In these instances the network and WiFi will remain down for the whole duration of the load-shedding slot. 

Stabilising equipment and connections during load-shedding isn’t practically possible since the effort must be repeated once Eskom switches the power back on. However, we do have a monitoring system which checks for the equipment that does not recover by itself. 

In most cases WiFi and the rest of the network should be operational with the help of generator power after about 10 minutes. To ensure that the transition is seamless and network connectivity continues, it would be helpful if staff in the building could, after about 15 minutes after the generator started, check if the WiFi is active or not. 

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Die waarskynlikheid dat ons binnekort ontslae gaan wees van beurtkrag is nie besonder groot nie en selfs al is ons hoe voorbereid is daar net soveel wat ons kan doen.

Ons besef dat ʼn stabiele internetverbinding in klaskamers krities is vir dosente om akademiese inhoud na studente te stroom. In die meeste universiteitsgeboue is daar kragopwekkers in plek om rugsteuning te verskaf gedurende beurtkrag. Ongelukkig kan ons egter nie ononderbroke kragvoer waarborg nie. Die redes is as volg: 

Sodra beurtkrag afskop verloor alle netwerktoerusting krag en skop die kragopwekker outomaties in. Die netwerktoerusting doen dan `ʼn sogenaamde “cold-boot” wat etlike minute kan duur. Gevolglik kan dit 10 tot 30 minute (in uitsonderlike gevalle) neem vir die netwerk om weer optimaal te funksioneer. 

Addisioneel tot hierdie vertraging bestaan die moontlikheid dat die netwerktoerusting nie outomaties kan herstel wanneer die kragopwekker geaktiveer word nie. In so ʼn geval sal die netwerk en WiFi vir die volle duur van beurtkrag af bly. 

Die stabilisering van toerusting en verbindings gedurende beurtkrag is nie prakties moontlik nie aangesien die hele proses weer herhaal moet word sodra Eskom weer die krag aanskakel. Ons het egter ʼn moniteringstelsel wat kyk watter toerusting nie vanself herstel nie. 

In die meeste gevalle sal die WiFi en toerusting weer in ʼn werkende toestand wees na ongeveer 10 minute met die hulp van kragopwekkers. Om te verseker dat die oorgang soomloos is en netwerkkonnektiwiteit voortduur, sal dit help as personeel in die betrokke geboue na ongeveer 15 minute nadat die kragopwekker aangaan, sal nagaan of die WiFi aktief is of nie.

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