Dedicated fiber ring network to build mesh wireless network

In order to bring better security and control to network services, the United States Louisiana decided to replace the existing wide area network (WAN), and the use of Ethernet switches (provided by Enterasys Network Company)-driven dedicated fiber ring network, At the same time for the deployment of mobile office staff need 802.11n wireless mesh network is ready.

"The network upgrades are partly due to the government's regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the security issues involved in accessing the FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC)," Louisiana, deputy director of Alexandria Information Systems, with 50,000 people Blake Rachal said.

"When we looked at HIPAA and NCIC, we found that we were far from their safety guide," Rachal said, "and we have our own water and gas plants, so we have to have a different set of safety measures and regulations." ”

The city's existing network is built with BellSouth Metro Ethernet. Within the city Hall, Rachal deployed the core network with the Enterasys/cabletron system SSR-8 routers, and the other 13 terminals deployed HP ProCurve Gigabit switches. The city has shared a pair of DSL lines for access to the Internet, providing security from firewalls.

Four years ago, Rachal began laying out a dedicated fiber ring network in four stages, over 22 square meters, replacing the original network. The final three of the 14 branch points in the city are now connected to the four-phase, dedicated fiber ring network. The Enterasys N7 rack switch, deployed in the city Hall's three small data centers, urban utilities and customer service centers at the headquarters of the city Public Security Agency, is reliable in conjunction with the auspicious Ethernet scaffolding. The other 11 branch points of the fibre ring network are Enterasys C3 tiered gigabit switches or small N-series switches.

"The largest station in the network is equipped with CS and B3 switches that allow end users of different government departments and agencies to access the LAN." In short, the city has nearly 78 sets of enterasys equipment. "Rachal said.

The hub in the fiber ring network is the backbone of the wireless mesh network.

"Eventually, the 14 branch points connected by the fibre ring network will be the backbone of the 802.11n wireless mesh network," Rachal said.

At present, the city's security and fire departments are using cellular technology services, such as using Verizon's 3G card, in the vehicle's internal data connectivity, but the final cellular connectivity technology will be replaced by a mesh network. The fibre Ring network in each branch point deploys the 802.11n wireless access point as the node of the mesh network, while the other wireless access points in the city are replaced by Wi-Fi, which provides access to the mobile office staff and the employees of the county and municipal authorities.

"We have signed agreements with local governors, ambulance services and public security, and this agreement will also benefit them from mesh networks," Rachal said. "As long as the four-phase fiber ring network is built, we can start using the wireless network, with 14 points as backbone network, The equivalent of a city divided into 14 quadrants to manage. This will enable the housing acceptance, reading or demolition staff to bring good mobile signal coverage. They're all going to be attracted to wireless networks.

Finally, the city will be able to integrate wireless mesh networks with the citywide Geographic Information system (GIS) to improve the ability to track and communicate with other mobile users.