SOCRATES Network Internet and Telecommunications Services
Established in 1996, SOCRATES—the South Central Regional Area Telecommunications System, provides data/Internet connectivity and network services to schools and libraries in South Central Minnesota.
A program of the South Central Service Cooperative, the SOCRATES network utilizes a robust, private, fiber based infrastructure to provide secure network services including unlimited managed and secured Internet to its members.
Technical Support
For connectivity or performance issues or to request changes to your filtering and management environment, please contact Consolidated Communications Support:
Network Information and Features
The next generation of the SOCRATES Regional Network, serving schools and education entities in South Central Minnesota, went online during Summer 2021 with a majority of the installations completed in July. SOCRATES is partnering with Consolidated Communications to provide this private network designed for education that maximizes performance, uptime, and security. By working as a consortium, with a guaranteed 5 to 8 year contract, our members are able to access a level of performance, management and security that is not available when purchasing regular consumer or even business level Internet services from local providers. Typical costs to members are 35% to 40% lower than we were able to provide under our old agreement.
Our new regional network has four key design features:
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The private network, used only by our SOCRATES education members, is overbuilt to provide multiple redundant paths to the Internet and our redundant data centers ensuring excellent performance while minimizing the potential for service interruptions. We purposely removed components of the network and tested failover response as part of each installation.
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The network is managed and secured by intelligent equipment and a team of professionals who are dedicated to keeping our network operating at full capacity while protecting us from intruders. Our Network Support System includes a VIP number that tech directors can assess 24x7 to get assistance with network performance issues or to request changes to filtering and firewall policies.
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A complete set of E-Rate eligible data center level security and threat management options including firewall and CIPA compliant filtering services, intruder protections and threat mitigation are available with any connection to our regional network eliminating the equipment, maintenance, licensing and personnel costs associated with maintaining these services in-house. A majority of our members use these Unified Threat Management services.
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SOCRATES files for and administers all federal E-Rate and state Telecommunications Equity Aid, and related contracts and administrative records on behalf of all of its members. Reimbursements are applied to member accounts.
Technology Directors Meetings
Regional Technology Coordinators and Directors meet every other month at the SCSC. Typical meeting agendas include national, state and regional technology initiative updates, SOCRATES network updates and training, technology leadership professional development and an open sharing and problem solving session.
Scheduled Meetings:
Sep. 14, 2021 | Oct. 14, 2021 | Feb 22, 2022 | April 19, 2022
Meetings are scheduled from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and include lunch unless otherwise noted.
Contact Dave dpaschke@mnscsc.org to join the Technology Directors group and receive notices and notes.
SOCRATES Network Services Pricing
Pricing for SOCRATES network services is based on a cooperative model where the overall costs of network circuits, infrastructure, maintenance, support, and administration are shared by members through common pricing for standard circuit and security options.
E-Rate Information
SOCRATES files consortium level Category 1 E-Rate Applications for members who purchase regional Internet and networking services and from them. SOCRATES also provides training and resources to help schools and libraries with their local E-Rate application process. E-Rate reimbursements are applied directly to member accounts, statements and invoices.
Telecom Equity Aid Information
SOCRATES applies for Telecom Equity Funding as a consortium on behalf of its members for all eligible costs associated with the regional network and for their eligible internal network transport costs. TEA reimbursements are applied directly to member accounts, statements and invoices.