Vulani: THUSA’s very own network software provides a simple, robust solution for international research facility operating in a harsh rural area of KZN.

Philanjalo (http://www.philanjalo.org.za) , is an international research team based in Tugela Ferry that have discovered Extra and Multiple Drug Resistant strains of Tuberculosis, are using Vulani to manage their research campus and connectivity. Engineers from THUSA conducted a site visit in late 2009 and followed up in early January 2010 to install and configure a Vulani server donated to the project.

Tugela Ferry is a rural area located in the heart of Kwazulu-Natal, the province hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. The Philanjalo project exists to improve the quality of life of those people facing various problems associated with life-threatening disease in Tugela Ferry and the surrounding areas.

THUSA identified the project as worthy of receiving software and support from THUSA and consequently donated a Vulani license, some consulting time and 12 months of remote support for the installed solution.

The installation of Vulani at Philanjalo has introduced several improvements including:

• Simple web based management of the two forms of connectivity utilised (GPRS and Telkom VSAT).
• Web proxy and update caching services to optimise and track the use of available bandwidth.
• The unification of a previously segmented wireless network and the provision of centralised management services.
• Provision of centralised file storage and access to distributed backup devices.

THUSA looks forward to continuing to support Philanjalo into the future and improving their IT infrastructure in order to meet their organization’s ongoing needs.