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Phoenix TV deploys high performance network with ASL and H3C
ASL and H3C help Phoenix build network with mission critical reliability while facing tight
schedule and dynamic changing needs
Phoenix TV, H3C and ASL executives stand before the new high-tech TV headquarters
From Left to Right:
Ivan Wong (H3C) ; Johnny Lam (H3C); Phyvid Lee (Phoenix TV); Kenneth Chau (ASL) ; Kenneth Kee (ASL); Tony Yau (ASL)
Six months after Phoenix TV moved into
its new Tai Po office the New Territories,
MIS manager Phyvid Lee is finally breathing a
sign of relief - the new H3C 10GE network infrastructure
was implemented beyond all expectations
and there has been no significant
problems at all in the last half year.
“Looking back, I must have had to ‘touch
wood’ so many times,” said Phyvid, “When
we first found out we had to move, the new office
was just a construction site. I didn’t know
what exactly I needed for the new network,
and I didn’t know when we would be able to
implement it,” he said. “All I knew was the
date we had to move in and have everything
live and ready by.”
Phoenix TV was moving all its operations
from a shared facility with Star TV in Hunghom
to its own building in Tai Po. The new office
would be its Global News Center supporting
its production and broadcast of five channels
to 150 countries in the world.
“I must thank H3C for providing the high
performance and reliable network solution as
well as proactive and responsive service from
ASL for implementing the network under a
tight schedule and almost impossible situation,”
Phyvid added.
Starting from nothing
The office was remodeled from an old factory
building of Motorola. Many interior structures
had to be changed and renovation work
was being carried out while the new network
was implemented.
“Most of times, we would have a stable
environment to work in, but not this case,”
said Kenneth K.F. Chau, General Manager,
Infrastructure & Managed Services Division of
Automated Systems (HK) Limited (ASL), who
implemented Phoenix’s network.
www.cw.com.hk
To cope with the high uncertainty, ASL had
two engineers stationed full time on the site
during the two-year project. “Whenever a room
or a part of the office was ready, we moved in
and built the network,” said Chau.
“This is unusual given the high cost of manpower
in Hong Kong. We chose ASL partly for
that, as it showed commitment to the project,”
said Phyvid, “At that time, I was responsible for
6-7 projects simultaneously. Having 2 extra
persons really helped.”
Network architecture
Phoenix network consists of two parts. 1)
A production network with 10GE backbone,
which support its digital production and broadcast
system, as well as its video library (the
Media Asset Management system). 2) An office
network supporting 300 workstations in 4
floors, completed with over 500 IP phones and
many other applications.
Large video files have to be transmitted across
the network. Therefore, it has to be high performance
and reliable. “We chose H3C’s solution
because the fully digitalized IP backbone can
easily transmit video files in fast pace over several
tens of GE. Also, it is fully redundant—there
is no single point of failure in any component allowing
Phoenix TV to guarantee its commitment
on 24x7 broadcasting service,” said Phyvid.
“H3C provides carrier class equipment. We
knew Phoenix’s network has to be mission critical.
Therefore, we design a system with full redundancy,”
said Ivan Wong, Product Manager, H3C
Technologies Co., Limited. “There are dual paths
from a server to another. Traffic will not be affected
even if the line is broken.”
In fact, before they implement the actual network,
proof of concept was made to demonstrate
the different scenarios. “Phoenix rented
a temporary office in Hunghom to run the test.
All three parties are involved to make sure the
new network will meet its performance and reliability
requirement once implemented,” said
Ivan.
The careful preparation paid off handsomely.
Six month after its implementation, there
is not a single problem in the network. What
is more: Phoenix TV can finally have its independency.
“Before the move, we outsourced
80% of our IT operation and we can only get
basic service,” said Phyvid. Phoenix TV relied
on Star TV’s facilities at that time. “Now,
we can have full control of our own operation.
That is really important as a TV station. The
new and fully integrated digital system also
shortens Phoenix’s production time considerably,”
said Phyvid.
ASL & H3C alliance
Automated Systems (HK) Limited was
founded in Hong Kong in 1973 and was
listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong
Kong Limited in 1997. The Group, in
Hong Kong and Macau alone, has over
1,300 employees dedicated to delivering
a comprehensive one-stop service.
After over 36 years of successful operation,
the Group has established its
reputation as a leading information
technology (IT) services provider in
the region. Find out more at www.asl.
com.hk
Headquartered in Hong Kong, with
research and development centres in
China (Beijing, Hangzhou and Shenzhen),
H3C is an innovative IP-based
network architecture solutions provider
which employs 4,800 people with
more than half engaged in R&D. Additional
information can be found at
www.h3c.com.
Nov 2009 Computerworld Hong Kong 11