IPfocus - IP UserGroup

IPfocusDefining the requirements of IPnetworks in real-time securityenvironmentsProject requirements which are typical for theTransport security sector (metros, airports,motorways, etc.) can be summarised asfollows:●●●●Multiple applications, including legacyinterfaces, must be able to use the sametransport networkQoS (Quality of Service) must be in thenetwork, with guaranteed access,bandwidth, delay and jitterFast network reconfiguration times(typically < 100 ms)End-to-end management & configuration● Video switching intelligence and videomanagement control embedded in thetransport networkSome good results have already been achievedby standardisation bodies to make sure IP andEthernet applications and standards meet therequirements of customers in the securitymarket place. However there is room forfurther enhancements.Ethernet as it is defined today in the IEEEstandards is very good for busy traffic, butmost of the traffic in the security environmentis of CBR type (Constant Bit Rate). NativeEthernet networks work with the bandwidthon-demandprinciple; delay and jitter are notconstant, but the security environmentrequires real time traffic, which needs low andconstant delay transmission. One of thestrengths of the IP and Ethernet networks isthat, if a transmission path being used goesdown, traffic will be dynamically re-routedaround the outage. This strength means thatthere is no critical path between any twonodes on the network. However, this flexibilityplays havoc with any sort of synchronoustransmission where timing across the networkis an important component in delivering thequality of service required.Notwithstanding that the Industrial-typeEthernet standards take care of the real-timeaspect, they focus on automation control,which is not suitable for large and extensivevideo "surveillance and control" networks.Multicast is a very efficient technology,replicating packets with video content atvarious locations. It is easy on both the hostsand the networks. However, in order formulticast to work, the networking devices needto know which computers need to receivemulticast traffic, and they need to be able todynamically build efficient paths to alldestinations.We are confident that further improvementswill be made thanks to initiatives like theIPUsergroup. With this forum, a platform hasbeen created consisting of end-users, systemintegrators, installers and manufacturers. Eachin his own role, making the challengingcustomer requirements explicit, educating thesecurity marketplace, and lobbying andinfluencing standards and legislation, willstrive to overcome some of the remaining IPbarriers. Let’s work on it, all of us and jointlydevelop markets for IP’s endless possibleapplications.From contract award tocommissioningFollowing award of the contract in 2002, UKbasedOptical Networks Ltd (ONL) designed,installed and commissioned all the videocommunications and control functions toensure the project was completed in March2004. Together with people from Nexus, WSAtkins, SDA, Meyertech and Mitsubishi, the OTNwas deployed and all the subsystemsintegrated into a single and easily manageablenetwork, and all to the entire satisfaction ofthe customer. Other local authorities alsoshowed an interest in incorporating such astate-of-the art security network as part oftheir Local Transport Plan for the years tocome. It will help to attract more publictransport passengers by reducing crime andthe fear of crime.The OTN – Open Transport Network– in a nutshellThe OTN is the optical-fibre-based transmissionsystem for Video, LAN, Voice and IndustrialData, interconnecting a multitude of electronicdevices through a single resilient network. Italso incorporates a distributed digital CCTVnetwork, unique for its embedded real-timeswitching capabilities. This not only providesfor the perfect transmission of high qualityimages, but also eliminates any single point offailure in the security network.Video switching and Video controlusing OTNVideo switching requirements are different foreach customer and often require customisationfor specific projects. OVS (OTN Video Server) offersthe user an open interface to control the videoswitching of the OTN Video inputs/outputs(M-JPEG or MPEG compression) via any 3rd partyapplication that is managed by the user.A traditional analogue video matrix switcher is notrequired in an OTN network. PC-based applicationsoftware lets the user select any of the videosources to be displayed on any monitor connectedto the OTN. Your network becomes the Matrix.NEXUSAmongst other key public transportservices, Nexus operates the Tyneand Wear Metro (58 stations), a lightrail system and the backbone of thearea’s public transport network.Kevin Boal, Senior Project ManagerKevin.Boal@nexus.comOPTICAL NETWORKS LTDEstablished in April 1996, formedfrom Siemens personnel on the basisof a VAR agreement from Siemens.Paul Such, Sales & Marketing Managerpsuch@onluk.comTHE OPEN TRANSPORT NETWORKThe Open Transport Network (OTN) isa product of Siemens Belgium, whereSiemens OTN is part of the Siemens"Information and CommunicationNetworks" (ICN) organisation.Luc De Ceuster,Business Development ManagerLuc.De_Ceuster@siemens.comissue 3_13