Switches

To reduce service calls and deliver additional benefits for clients, Luxul, the innovator of IP networking solutions for AV integrators, announces Self-Healing capability for select managed network switches. Available via a free upgrade to firmware version 4.1.1 or greater, the new functionality empowers integrators with two advanced features: Auto-Recovery and Power Scheduling. Luxul's Self-Healing capability is currently available on the company's 12-port/8 PoE+ AMS-1208P, 26-port/24 PoE+ stackable L2/L3 AMS-4424P, 26-port/24 PoE+ AMS-2624P, 26-port/24 PoE+ XMS-2624P, 52-port PoE+ L2/L3 XMS-5248P, and 52-port stackable L2/L3 XMS-7048. Free Firmware Update With Auto-Recovery, devices connected to these switches by PoE no longer need to be manually rebooted when they fall offline or become unresponsive; the configuration in the switch triggers PoE-connected devices to reboot automatically. And with Power Scheduling, integrators can now trigger the switches to power PoE-connected devices on or off based on any schedule they create within the switch. Self-Healing will also be a standard feature on a number of soon-to-be available Luxul switches "With Self-Healing, we're amping up the performance of Luxul switches to an entirely new level," said Mike Grubb, vice president of marketing at Luxul. "Imagine never getting another call about security cameras or other PoE-connected devices freezing up; your clients' switches will take care of them automatically. Furthermore, it's effortless to schedule devices to power down overnight, over the weekend, or whenever your clients request it. All it takes to realize these benefits is a free firmware update." Self-Healing will also be a standard feature on a number of soon-to-be available Luxul switches, including the 18-port/16 PoE+ L2/L3 AMS-1816P and 12-port/8 PoE+ XMS-1208P shipping soon.

Altronix, global power and transmission solutions provider for the professional security industry, has enhanced the ACMS8 Dual-Voltage Access Power Controller with bi-color output LEDs to visually indicate 12VDC or 24VDC at-a-glance. The unit’s switch-selectable versatility adds greater flexibility when combining 12VDC and 24VDC devices further facilitating ease of installation and adding a new level of protection in the same system. ACMS8 Dual-Voltage Access Power Controller The ACMS8 distributes voltage from two 12VDC and 24VDC power sources simultaneously over any of the unit’s eight (8) individually selectable outputs allowing for a wide range of lock options. New bi-color LEDs indicate power on each of the ACMS8 outputs with green indicating 12VDC, and both green and red simultaneously indicating 24VDC. “The ACMS8 is another example of how Altronix is continually looking to improve existing products using customer feedback, introduce new solutions and integrate them to provide greater efficiency,” said Ronnie Pennington, National Sales Engineer, Altronix Corporation. Emergency Input Trigger For Egress And Alarm Monitoring The ACMS8 can provide power to a variety of access control devices, including magnetic locks and electric strikes The ACMS8 can provide power to a variety of access control devices, including magnetic locks and electric strikes. Additional features include: emergency input trigger enabling egress and alarm monitoring; a disconnect feature that’s individually selectable for any or all of the eight outputs; spade connectors to daisy-chain multiple ACMS8 or PDS8 modules for larger system applications; and protection using PTCs (ACMS8CB) or automotive style fuses. The eight trigger inputs isolate power from the access controllers providing further system protection. Ideal for use in Altronix’s Trove Access and Power Integration Series, the ACMS8K1 kit which combines the ACMS8 with the Altronix VR6 Voltage Regulator, provides the ability to select different voltages for multiple outputs from a single power source. This reduces the requirement and costs for multiple power supplies and batteries, while conserving valuable enclosure space due to its unique stackable design. As with all Altronix products, the ACMS8 is manufactured in the U.S.A., and backed by a lifetime warranty.

Pulse Secure, the provider of Secure Access solutions, announced that analyst firm Frost & Sullivan recognized Pulse Secure among the top four major NAC leaders in the SMB to Large Enterprise segment by market share and among the top three NAC vendors showing the most significant market share gains. The recent Frost & Sullivan ‘2018 Network Access Control (NAC) Market, Global, Forecast to 2022’ report states that network visibility is critical. Every device on a network is a potential attack or reconnaissance point that must be discovered and secured, and the increasing level of malware and cyberattacks are driving NAC investments. Software-Driven Secure Access Solutions Pulse Policy Secure delivers a full-featured NAC solution that is easy to deploy, manage and scale NAC vendors have been able to add value to licenses by offering added endpoint posture assessment and remediation services, and integration modules. NAC vendors are delivering improved features and functions for visibility, mobility, BYOD, IoT and automated threat response. The result is sustained growth for the NAC market where revenues are expected to grow from 2017 – 2022 at a 16.9 percent CAGR, reaching $2.1B in 2022. The published report provides an overview of the market including NAC capabilities, technology, drivers, adoption trends and competitive insights. Pulse Secure offers a portfolio of software-driven Secure Access solutions that satisfy usability, contextual intelligence and policy orchestration to support data center and hybrid IT environments. Sold separately or as part of a Secure Access Suite, Pulse Policy Secure delivers a full-featured NAC solution that is easy to deploy, manage and scale. Highlights Of Pulse Secure’s NAC Solution: Markets. BYOD, IoT, interoperability and enforcement drive sales in all geographic regions, with financial services, government, healthcare and manufacturing/high tech among Pulse Secure’s key markets. Product. Pulse Secure NAC provides 360-degree visibility with enforcement to see, monitor and control managed, unknown and IoT devices connecting locally or remotely to the network. Value. Customers can start with Pulse Profiler to discover, assess and inventory network devices. With full network visibility, customers can then use Pulse Policy Secure NAC to invoke access, enforcement and threat response policies, orchestrated via API, Syslog, SNMP and IF-MAP protocols. Value. Pulse Secure’s highly scalable architecture is ideal for large enterprises and MSSPs. Each high-performance appliance can control up to 50,000 users. The solution also includes an embedded, enterprise-class RADIUS server. Enhanced Security Posture The report also cross-references solution attributes compared to other NAC market leaders such as Cisco, ForeScout and HP/Aruba. According to the report findings, “Unlike pure-play NAC offerings, Pulse Secure’s solution can include both VPN and NAC which enables unified visibility, consistent endpoint compliance policy and access control for data center and Hybrid IT. Pulse Secure works with popular switches, wireless, NGFW, EMM, SIEMs and endpoint security for automated threat response" “Customers gain a stronger security posture, expedited deployment and lower TCO by leveraging a common client, policy and management framework. Unlike infrastructure NAC, Pulse Secure works with popular switches, wireless, NGFW, EMM, SIEMs and endpoint security for automated threat response. This proven, interoperable architecture simplifies deployment, administration and orchestration.” Integrating NAC With VPN “Pulse Secure is experiencing a resurgence in NAC adoption driven by sales of Pulse Policy Secure, our enterprise NAC solution, Pulse Profiler which offers endpoint and IOT device discovery, classification and monitoring, and as part of our Secure Access Suite that integrates NAC with our VPN, mobile and cloud security solutions,” said Prakash Mana, vice president of product management at Pulse Secure. “We are pleased to receive these NAC market distinctions as an enterprise market segment leader and among the top vendors showing significant market share gains.” “Network visibility and the increasing level of malware and cyberattacks are driving NAC investments as end user and IOT devices are ultimately the place where intrusions to networks matter, and the last chance to defend or detect a network breach,” said Tony Massimini, senior industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “Pulse Secure provides a complete NAC platform, and when combined with their VPN solution provides enterprises a centralized view of remote, cloud and network user and device activity and compliance, as well as threat response.” 

Antaira Technologies is a developer and manufacturer of industrial networking devices and communication solutions for harsh environment applications and is proud to announce the expansion of its industrial networking infrastructure family with the introduction of the STM-60XC series of Serial to Modbus Gateways. Modbus networks have been around for a very long time. Markets are driving the need for Modbus RTU and ASCII devices to communicate with Ethernet and ultimately cloud devices with the help for IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things). It is this need that has prompted Antaira to take a look at Modbus Gateway technology and integrated it into the Antaira portfolio. Dual Ethernet Connections The new STM-601C, STM-602C, and STM-604C provide options for a wide range of applications in industrial applications including 1, 2, and 4 serial port options. All three of these models provide dual Ethernet connections with the ability to provide unique IP and MAC addresses per port giving the devices the ability to be used in a redundant network design. The reverse polarity and overload protected redundant power inputs add the level of engineering that is expected in true industrial devices. Antaira’s STM-60XC series supports up to 921.6 kbps and any baud rate setting making it scalable for any Modbus RTU or ASCII network. The series of gateways also support up to 16 connections per serial port under Modbus master mode and 32 sessions under Modbus slave mode. Antaira provides a 5-year warranty for these devices, further adding to these devices’ features and solutions, for when a need arises to get your Modbus devices connected to your company and beyond. 

HSI Sensing (HSI), an Oklahoma-based manufacturer of custom reed switch and sensor technology, announced at Global Security Exchange (GSX) that its high-security sensors product line – Sentinel – now includes retrofit models. Sentinel Retro is compliant with existing models on the market to facilitate the ease of replacing outdated sensor technology with the newest innovations from HSI.  “Our company is innovative, solutions-centered and responsive, so when we heard of clients struggling with upgrading their sensor systems, we knew we immediately needed to create the Retro Model,” said Ryan Posey, CEO of HSI Sensing. “Utilizing Sentinel’s tried and true technology, the Retro Model makes it easier than ever for clients to achieve top-of-line security with a simple swap of sensors in an existing location. Designed For Anti-Tamper Features HSI launched its Sentinel sensors line in 2017 as an enhanced technology for high-security intrusion detection. Sentinel sensors utilize Solid State technology and are designed with a wide range of anti-tamper features allowing them to resist physical, electrical and magnetic tampering. It is intended to be a door contact sensor and entry-point alarm where failure is not an option, like at government facilities, prisons, banks, power plants, weapon sites and other high-security areas. The Sentinel Retro sensor also comes in a dual alarm version and a dry circuit version The Sentinel Retro models feature the same screw hole patterns as other high-security sensors currently in the field, allowing the models to be drop in replacements for existing uses. The Retro Models, just like the rest of the Sentinel line, have received the highest high-security standard listing available - a UL 634 Level 2 listing. Achieving this puts the products in an elite tier and requires 16 additional standards to be met beyond the initial 40 for a UL 634 listing. Dual Alarm And Dry Circuit Version To further extend the Retro Model uses, the sensor also comes in a dual alarm version and a dry circuit version. The Sentinel SM2 Retro Dual Alarm is designed with two alarm outputs, making it the ideal choice when a secondary circuit is needed for an indication light, access control system or other addition. The Sentinel SM2 Retro Dry Circuit is designed to convert the alarm and tamper outputs from a digital signal to a dry contact signal, internally changing the two-wire output signal to a set of SPDT switches. These also have a UL 634 Level 2 listing for exceptional security performance.

Altronix, global provider of power and transmission solutions for the professional security industry, is showcasing the new eBridge1600F 16-port EoC receiver with integral PoE switch here at GSX 2018 (booth #1950). The new and innovative eBridge1600F power and transmission solution further bridges the infrastructure gap by integrating coax, Ethernet and fiber along with PoE, thereby eliminating the cost and labor associated with installing new network cabling. eBridge1600F 16-Port EoC Receiver “Altronix continues to design and deliver new power and transmission solutions that merge infrastructure with emerging technologies to accommodate greater capacity and speed for today’s advanced IP installations,” said JR Andrews, National Sales Executive, Altronix Corporation. “The new eBridge1600F allows coax users to cost-efficiently upgrade analog systems to IP with the ability to take advantage of new or existing fiber infrastructure to deploy IP devices at greater distances.” Coax To IP Transmission Upgradation Altronix eBridge1600F is an all-in-one, head-end solution for upgrading coax to IP that combines a PoE+ switch and EoC Receiver into a single integrated unit. It features 16 Ethernet ports rated at 100Mbps (full duplex up to 300m without repeaters) with 30W full power per port (500W total power), one 1Gb SFP (fiber port), and two 1Gb Ethernet uplinks. Additional features include a built-in battery charger, and embedded LINQ Technology to monitor, control and report power/diagnostics from anywhere over the network connection. As with all Altronix products, eBridge1600F is manufactured in the U.S.A., and is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Security consultants are on the front lines of trends such as “smart buildings” and the increasing demand for green technologies. We recently gathered together several consultants to reflect on what’s new in these areas, joined by a representative of HID Global. Participants were Chris Grniet of Guidepost Solutions, Brandon Frazier of Elert & Associates, Terry Harless of Burns & McDonnell, and Harm Radstaak, HID Global’s Vice President and Managing Director, Physical Access Control. SourceSecurity.com: What are your thoughts on the emergence of “smart buildings”? How do you see the concept expanding? How does making a building “smart” add value to it as an asset? Brandon Frazier: The term smart building has been a moving target beginning in the late 1800s with the electric thermostat. As I see things now becoming networked, becoming smarter, I think we’ll be able to aggregate a lot of data, and probably use that data. I think there will be new ways to use data for the average customer. Chris Grniet: Smart buildings have been a long time coming. It’s about green, sustainability, the ability to control your environment, and making sure you get the most efficiency out of an asset. To understand how an asset is being used is very important. A lot of clients these days are looking for occupancy calculations: Are my facilities being used to their utmost capabilities? What are my populations, and how do I control the environments? And is the real estate really worth keeping because so many people are working remotely? Harm Radstaak: I believe that smart buildings will bring our traditional security industry potentially into a new space, with data analytics and servicing end users, and channeling data to be used for green buildings, sustainability, space utilization. It’s important for our industry to know how we will make sure that data is secure and trusted for end users and to provide the correct technology, services and solutions. Terry Harless: Another thing is that smart buildings can be used for maintenance. In the security world, you can keep a log of how many people have gone through a door, or use it for maintaining batteries if you’re using wireless devices, or maybe maintain your locks when they have been cycled so many times. {##Poll36 - How do you make your security systems more green?##} SourceSecurity.com: How important is being “green” related to design decisions and product selection? How do you use green products? Frazier: The world of selecting electronics based on green criteria has always been very tricky. A lot of manufacturers have come out with “green products.” I’ve seen more power-efficient products, and we are seeing certifications on them. But it is very difficult, I think, to truly design a green technology-based system end-to-end. Not just single components but an entirely efficient system. Radstaak: I see it as absolutely a trend for end users to specify new buildings according to sustainability and green specifications. For HID Global and ASSA ABLOY, we see it as one of the megatrends worldwide. Green and sustainability are critical as we define our products and solution set and bring that back to the table in design engineering and product marketing. Harless: I’m on board and think green is good. But as far as helping with accumulating points for the LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certification, I have talked with several architects and engineers in the past who are LEED certified and discussed with them some of the green security products out there. For the most part, they say the products are not providing any points for them. They typically don’t want to waste the time of adding security into their evaluation. SourceSecurity.com: So the “green” that we have achieved in the security market is not translating into enough quantitative scoring to make a difference in the LEED certification. Frazier: I think our power usage is so miniscule compared to the big building systems that the savings we offer are just not worth their time (to document). Grniet: I have had some opposite experiences where we are able to contribute if we don’t call it a security category, but we put it in with the low voltage category, so now we have greener power consumption on my switches, my computing systems, people are putting OTNs (optical transport networks) in, and not utilising as much power on a floor-by-floor basis. Now I have smart power supplies, smart locks, green locks. Where the industry has always lacked is the sustainability piece. We talk about zero landfill projects. We talk about rare earth metals involved in these processes, and other materials; this industry continues to source from remote regions. Everybody is pitching “built in America,” but we all have to source something from abroad, and those are real challenges for the security industry. Not to mention the fact that, unfortunately, we ship everything in small packages – it’s all unitised. So we create massive landfills by doing that. There are some companies that have gone out and started packaging in mass relative to orders and said: “This is how we are going to ship, not on an individual piece-by-piece basis.” That has to speak to the entire supply chain relative to sustainability. Read part 2 of our Consultants' Forum series here

Increasing the quality of illumination with LED can help deter crime and improve the accuracy of video analytics One of the greatest challenges that indoor and outdoor security surveillance solutions face is lack of light. However, obtaining the proper amount of illumination for security goes beyond merely flooding a specific area with light. Without an adequate lighting source, video cameras are ineffective. When capturing only dark, blurry images and video, they can quickly become worthless to security staff or law enforcement personnel. On the other hand, too much of the wrong type of light can create issues like ‘hot spots’ and overheating, which can diminish crucial details and eventually cause irreversible camera damage. Fortunately, there has been a recent global shift that is sending users away from the old incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, and toward LED lighting. Regardless of the type of CCTV application, there are an abundance of reasons to stop using alternative types of illumination. Here are 3 of the most substantial. 1. Better Illumination And Clarity You would think it would be common knowledge by now that cameras need light to see, and well-lit areas provide less cover for criminals to commit crimes. However, it is still somewhat commonplace to have sites where either not enough lighting or the wrong kind of lighting is implemented. Increasing the quality of illumination in an area has the ability to deter crime, make other accompanying safety devices perform better and even improve the accuracy of video analytics. LED lamps are currently the only security lighting option that possesses a multitude of point sources, making it possible to  aim your light Integrators need a lighting solution that consistently performs, and when it comes to supplying the best operation, price, and durability; external LED lighting is the only choice. One particular aspect of external LED lighting that makes optimum illumination possible is the strategic uniformity of its design. External LED lamps are currently the only security lighting option that possesses a multitude of point sources, making it possible to literally aim your light by situating individual diodes in a specific angle or position. This type of alignment offers a more consistent and predictable light source than anything else on the market, eliminating much of the uncertainty involved in installation. This allows you to light a larger area more effectively and efficiently with nearly zero effort. 2. Faster Start-up Time Whether you are talking about protecting a utilities facility, school campus or international border, it doesn’t take long for an incident to occur. Unlike traditional HID (high intensity discharge) lights, which can take up to a half an hour to reach full competency, LED’s spark up immediately. The colder the climate of the area, the more difficulty the HID bulbs have getting started and functioning properly. Given that there are many places in the United States alone where temperatures can sit at or below single digits, it seems almost absurd to consider anything else besides LED lighting. This sizable flaw can be especially detrimental if attempting to set up any kind of crime deterring, motion detection solution. One of the most crucial components of a sufficient response system is reaction time. Having a sluggish start up regarding any component is much like having a 15 year-old guard dog laying in your yard. By the time the security lights get up and running, the offender has already committed the crime and vacated the premises. And as dependable as the old boy may have been in the years past, he is now just too darn slow. And with an industry that is quickly moving toward more effective real-time, situational security solutions, a hesitated response is the last thing desired. Unlike traditional HID lights, which can take up to a half an hour to reach full competency, LED’s spark up immediately 3. Increased Life Span And Efficiency Organizations have the opportunity to save thousands of dollars each year in energy costs, while increasing site security by switching to LED based illuminators. LED’s provide the lowest running cost currently available, with less than 100 watts needed for the most powerful of units. Not to mention, the majority of additional wattage needed for other types of lighting units is generally burned off in the form of unwanted heat, decreasing both quality and length of life. How much longer LED’s lasts when compared to the alternative is astounding. For example, the average life span of an incandescent bulb is about 1,000 hours; fluorescent bulbs last for around 10,000 hours, while LED’s can shine bright up an impressive 100,000 hours. That is 100 times longer without changing a bulb. Furthermore, installing LED’s not only saves money in the form of lower energy and running costs, but also provides a very low rate of bulb malfunction or failure. This cuts down on maintenance fees as well as possible down time that could result in vulnerability. Inspections and servicing of lights alone can be very expensive and time consuming. LED’s radiate much less heat, reducing the chance of insect complications and helping prevent hot spot development, again saving you time, money and frustration at every camera site. Enhancing Overall Security Solution As time goes on, the importance of strategic lighting becomes more and more evident for the security industry. The continual growth of technologically advanced video solutions (biometrics, crowd detection, motion tracking, etc.) demands a level of clarity and consistency that can only obtained through proper lighting. LED’s not only yield a lower running cost and better performance, they provide an enhanced level of control. The most important benefit of a security tool is not always how it performs independently, but how it increases the effectiveness of the overall security solution it is a part of.

Ethernet switches are often overlooked andsometimes deemed a cheap connectivity pointwith little to no importance The Ethernet switch is a critical link between cameras, network video recorders (NVRs) and computers that need access to video feeds. The Ethernet switch not only provides the data connectivity but often the power to the IP cameras via Power over Ethernet (PoE). Ethernet switches are the fundamental backbone of a Local Area Network (LAN) and the critical connectivity point for everything that needs to communicate. Computers, laptops, printers, IP cameras, NVRs, IP phone systems (VoIP), WiFi, building infrastructure and access control systems now reside on the LAN. None of these systems could communicate without Ethernet switches providing the connectivity. Cheap Switches Invite Chaos Unfortunately, according to Mark Prowten, vice president of Sales and Marketing at EtherWan Systems Inc., Anaheim, California, for the security industry and more specifically for IP surveillance systems, the Ethernet switch is often overlooked and sometimes deemed a cheap connectivity point with little to no importance. Seeking to lower costs, many security installers look for the cheapest components. This usually results in a system that doesn’t function correctly or reliably, he says. “Security installers using cheap or low-cost unmanaged switches find themselves continually going back to job sites trying to figure out why some cameras are working while others are not,” Prowten says. “With no method to troubleshoot, they start swapping out components, usually replacing one cheap switch with another assuming it is faulty. Typically, the switch is not faulty although it may appear to be on the surface. In many cases it was not specified properly and does not provide the capabilities needed for the system to function correctly.” The Role Of PoE PoE, according to Prowten, is a key element in making IP surveillance systems easy to install since both power and data run on a single Ethernet cable. “Cheap or low-cost switches typically do not provide the switching bandwidth performance and/or enough PoE capacity to power all the cameras reliably. Low-cost switches are usually unmanaged, meaning there is no option to log into the switch to troubleshoot connectivity or PoE power issues.” "Cheap or low-cost switches typically do not provide the switching bandwidth performance and/or enough PoE capacity to power all the cameras reliably," says Mark Prowten, VP of Sales and Marketing at EtherWan Systems EtherWAN recommends that integrators do the math, he says. “What we mean is to look at the maximum power demand for each camera, add up installed power demand and add 20 percent. Take this total power requirement and make sure to install an Ethernet switch with at least this amount of power. It is a good practice to budget for additional cameras to be added in the future as well.” Here’s An Example: 8 camera systems with NVR and uplink to the network backbone would require a 10 port Ethernet switch – typically eight 10/100 Ethernet PoE ports to power the cameras, one Gigabit port for NVR connection and one Gigabit port for network uplink. Camera draw @ 12W each x 8 cameras = 96W + 20% overage (96W x .2) or 19.2W, (96W + 19.2W) = 115.2W total minimum PoE budget recommended. For this system, an Ethernet switch with at least 115.2W PoE power and 10 ports is needed. If there is the possibility for additional cameras or devices in the future, additional ports and PoE power would be needed. Accurate Specifications For Reliable Installation Prowten says professionals managing a campus or large facility with hundreds of network devices need a properly designed specification with quality Ethernet switches that can meet the data demands of the environment and expected bandwidth requirements to ensure reliable network communications. “Using quality products that meet or exceed application requirements results in systems that are reliable from the start,” he says. “This translates into less installation, configuration and troubleshooting during the initial installation, resulting in increased bottom-line profitability. By designing and installing the network correctly with quality products, you also minimize or eliminate repeated visits to the customer site for troubleshooting. This increases the bottom line by minimizing follow-up costs. More importantly, you have a satisfied customer who is much more likely to refer the dealer/integrator for other potential opportunities,” Prowten adds.

A 300-plus camera city center video surveillance scheme in Lincoln has been installed and commissioned using cameras, monitors and switching equipment from Dahua Technology. The previous analog-based CCTV system was more than 20 years old and had become expensive to maintain, so City of Lincoln Council decided to replace the analog cameras and transmission equipment with HD digital equipment. The total cost of ownership has been reduced by the savings made on legacy fiber lease costs, as well as reduced energy consumption and the ability to configure and maintain the cameras remotely. Installation Of IP Full HD System The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020The design of the new all-wireless encrypted system was based around delivering flexible technology, reducing the total cost of ownership, ease of installation, lower maintenance requirements, smart edge analytics and remote connectivity. Environmentally friendly aspects of the project included specifying lower-energy equipment, integrating remote support and recycling hardware wherever possible. The council employed independent consultants Lever Technology Group to help them ensure they had a robust and future-proof radio network design. The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020 – which seeks to drive innovation in the city and harness new technologies to improve the lives of citizens. One of the results is the provision of free Wi-Fi in the city, working alongside the Dahua cameras using the same IP wireless network. Bandwidth Efficiency Using H.265 Compression A combination of fixed and PTZ cameras were installed over a new 1GB duplex network. These include cameras from the Dahua Pro series, which features high image quality, bandwidth efficiency using H.265 compression and excellent low-light performance. Bullet cameras from the Ultra series – with powerful optical zoom, IR distances of up to 50 metres and software which supports people-counting and heat-mapping – were also installed. The design of the scheme incorporated both camera and server-side analytics with legacy motion and audio detection The bandwidth efficiency of the cameras meant that multiple cameras could be installed in any given position, providing 360° coverage of locations and up to 20 Megapixels of video capacity per location – compared with less than 400,000 pixels with the previous analog cameras. The design of the scheme incorporated both camera and server-side analytics, including video content analytics, facial recognition, ANPR, heat maps and pedestrian counting, as well as legacy motion and audio detection. The objective of the facial recognition aspect is to support operators in areas such as the search for missing and vulnerable individuals. PoE Switches For Providing Power The superior image quality of the new system is borne out in figures which show an increase in ‘actionable’ images from 5% with the previous system to 60% successful reviews with the new one. Dahua PoE switches were also installed to provide power to the cameras, which are then connected to a layer-2 network. A new video wall comprising ten Dahua DHL49-4K LED backlit 49-inch 4K Ultra HD video wall display units featuring industrial level wide-viewing LCD panels, was fitted into a newly refurbished control room in City Hall and connected to i-Comply wonderwall video display drivers. This is a great collaboration of key project partners that have a tried-and-tested pedigree and working relationship with Videcom Security"Supplied through authorized distributor Mayflex, the entire system was installed by public space CCTV specialists Videcom Security, which worked with other partners to provide a high-performance, efficient and feature-rich system. Cost-Effective And Reliable Equipment Bill Mead, Managing Director at Videcom Security, said that working largely with Dahua video equipment meant it was easier for engineers in terms of configuration, as well as being cost-effective and representing good value for money. “Working with the Dahua product range has been great. The products have proved to be reliable and we experienced very few problems, from the initial configuration through to installation and commissioning. “This is a great collaboration of key project partners that have a tried-and-tested pedigree and working relationship with Videcom Security. We broke new ground with the development of 4K H.265 decoding, the support through Luxriot for camera-side analytics and edge recording, and the development by Dahua of camera-to-camera communication, allowing for non-connected systems to communicate locally.” Infinet 5GHz And Siklu E And V Band Radios Videcom Security is a certified Dahua Integration Partner, training for which was delivered both by Dahua and the Mayflex AcademyDahua is a solution provider in the global video surveillance industry and associated technology and has a keen focus on innovation by investing heavily in research and development. For the Lincoln city scheme, its products were selected based on their performance and cost-effectiveness to meet project budgets. Videcom Security is a certified Dahua Integration Partner, training for which was delivered both by Dahua and the Mayflex Academy. This helped Videcom negotiate key firmware enhancements, which added to many of the analytical features available in each of the cameras. The wireless network is built with Infinet 5GHz and Siklu E and V band radios. Resilience and diverse routing has been built into the network design, which supports video surveillance as well as public Wi-Fi and capacity for smart city services. Luxriot have worked closely with Dahua, supplying their Evo Global video management system and supporting edge analytics integration through their ‘events and actions’ management, which has also been integrated through to i-Comply’s VTAS CRVMS software (now rebranded as Viewscape). Real-Time Control And Video Streaming The Dahua system implemented by Videcom Security provides the main elements of our tier-1 solution"The introduction of H.265 compression was ground-breaking for such a project, with the system capable of displaying 4MP and 6MP H.265 to the operator’s spot monitor with real-time control and video streaming. “The Dahua system implemented by Videcom Security provides the main elements of our tier-1 solution,” said Martin Byrne, CCTV Team leader at Lincoln City Council. “The police are extremely pleased with the system and we’ve had very positive feedback from them. “There is really no comparison from how we operated previously to how we can now. It revolutionizes how we manage the CCTV systems and data. The potential for what we can achieve going forward is remarkable. We have now started to get real results from the investment in analytics; in particular vehicle and people-counting has been deployed and data is used to enhance other city projects.” Martin added: “Dahua has taken time out to visit and discuss with us our ambitions for smart city services. We have adopted Dahua as our brand of choice for CCTV cameras and have so far been very pleased and impressed with their reliability, low-light performance and overall image quality.”

A video surveillance system installed by Daemon Fire & Security, based on an AMG Systems-supplied Ethernet switch network, is helping to protect the UK’s first new inland rail freight hub for over a decade: iPort Rail. The iPort project near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, offers 6 million square feet of space across 337 acres. The massive park is already home to enormous distribution facilities for companies like Amazon, CEVA, Fellowes and Lidl, and its occupancy is set to expand in the coming years. The newly developed iPort Rail terminal, located on its own 30-acre site within iPort, is connected to the electrified East Coast Main Line via the South Yorkshire Joint Line. It offers integrated access to iPort, meaning occupiers can directly approach the rail terminal using their own specialist vehicles on the facility’s private roads. Implementing Video Surveillance System The cameras we are using are from Bosch, and they are monitored and recorded using the Bosch Video Management System"The terminal can handle up to six trains a day, operating 24-hours, six days a week. Each train can be the maximum UK length of 775m. iPort Rail has an 800m reception siding and two 400m handling sidings, with storage capacity for 1,500 shipping containers. With iPort Rail playing such a crucial role in developer Verdion’s iPort transportation strategy, there was a pressing need to ensure that the terminal has effective ongoing video monitoring. Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd was responsible for the work on iPort Rail, and they worked with CCTV specialist Daemon Fire & Security to implement the video surveillance system for the perimeter of the terminal. Chris Tattersall, Technical Director at Daemon, said the system runs on a redundant fiber optic network. “AMG Systems assisted us with the fiber optic network design.” Tattersall said. “The cameras we are using are from Bosch, and they are monitored and recorded using the Bosch Video Management System. The cameras are on towers from Altron, and the networking is from AMG.” Cameras For Intrusion Detection The cameras utilize Bosch analytics, monitoring the perimeter fence for people approaching and trying to climb over or cut through"There are 32 cameras mounted on 18 towers around the rail terminal site perimeter. Tattersall explained that the cameras are primarily used as detectors to monitor for trespass or intrusion. “The cameras utilize Bosch analytics, monitoring the perimeter fence for people approaching and trying to climb over or cut through,” he said. “The cameras are monitored live by the 24-hour security team in the site gatehouse. The system is networked using equipment and expertise from AMG Systems. Daemon and AMG designed a failsafe fiber optic ring system together,” Tattersall said. “From the gatehouse there’s a fiber optic cable which goes and loops around every camera tower and goes back to the gatehouse,” he said. “It’s a redundant ring, so if they get a fault or deliberate cut, everything will carry on working. We’re using industrial PoE Ethernet switches in the towers so they can withstand low temperatures, which is particularly important during cold winters in a relatively open site like this.” Operative In Extreme Temperatures The industrial managed switches are able to operate in temperatures ranging from -40 deg C to 75 deg CThe industrial managed switches, 20 of which were used in this project, are able to operate in temperatures ranging from -40 deg C to 75 deg C and are designed for medium to large network environments to strengthen network connections. AMG Business Development Director Sara Fisher said AMG was thrilled to be involved in this project. “We were delighted to be asked by Daemon to contribute our design and product expertise to help protect this important and growing freight hub,” she said. Daemon’s video surveillance project took around 10 weeks in total, including implementation and commissioning. It was handed over on time and installed on target. Tattersall said the smooth running of the project could be put down to Daemon’s good working relationship with contractor Buckingham, distributor Pro-Vision, networking and transmission expert AMG Systems, and product suppliers Bosch and Altron.

From 2019, Airbus will embark on the modernization of the PMR (Professional Mobile Radio) network of the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) public transport company. By 2020, the PMR provider will have overhauled the network infrastructure and converted the system to Internet protocol (IP). Airbus has also concluded a service agreement with the BVG until 2025. Airbus will provide the Berlin-based company with advice and support over the course of the modernization process. The entire contractual package also comprises, alongside the technical retrofitting, the supply of the latest technology, such as an IP-based switch and an in-service maintenance and service provision. Communicate More Securely The partners have also agreed to the possibility of progressively expanding the network with other base stations and to run these using the simulcast technology. Simulcast, also called Single Frequency Network, allows all base stations to transmit on the same frequency. This means that signals can be propagated very well over large areas. With the upgraded Tetrapol network, drivers and the control centre will be able to react more efficiently to all kinds of situations Since the network was rolled out in 2001, Airbus has partnered with BVG and, with its modern radio technology, it will make a further important contribution to the efficient running of Berlin's bus traffic. With the upgraded Tetrapol network, drivers and the control centre will be able to react more efficiently to all kinds of situations and to communicate more securely. Safe Transport System The modernization also implies an increase in the system’s capacity so that it can transmit even greater volumes of data. For approximately 2,100 radio users at the BVG, the Tetrapol network was made even more robust and user-friendly. A total of around 14,600 people work for the BVG and its subsidiaries to provide an environmentally friendly, reliable and safe transport system for more than a billion travellers each year. To coordinate the complex bus traffic in Berlin, the company built the Airbus Tetrapol network around nine base stations. Buses run on more than 150 lines over a catchment area of approximately 1000 km². The BVG also operates night buses on more than 60 lines, along with 22 tramway lines.

A Japan based technological enterprise is working towards the formation of a technology corporate group. The company’s technologically advanced products include a diverse range of products that are used on land, sea, air and even space. The company offers a range of environmental and recycling plants, industrial plants to automobile and infrastructure equipment. And at every step, Kawasaki pays the utmost attention to humankind and the environment. This century old company has been able to establish a firm foundation as a technological enterprise. The company’s automobile division, which makes it one of the pioneer automobile companies, is spread on a global scale. Crystal Clear Images They also wanted to monitor how the employees interacted with customers, cleanliness of the premises The company having franchise stores operated by respective owners in India was concerned about the consistency in branding and customer service across these stores. They wanted a solution that could enable them to view the stores from a central location, specially the front end where their premium vehicles were displayed. They also wanted to monitor how the employees interacted with customers, cleanliness of the premises, whether the products were displayed in the right order, branding in the store and other process compliances. But at the same time, they did not want to invest in recorders as the numbers of cameras at individual locations were very limited. Matrix installed high resolution IP cameras at each store. These cameras provided crystal clear images of every corner of the store. This enabled the company to monitor every aspect of brand management such as order of vehicles, customer service, cleanliness, behavior of employees, etc. Geographically Separated Locations A Matrix NVR was placed at the central location, and all the cameras from different locations were connected to itCameras were installed at each location based on the requirement and connected to a network switch with the help of CAT6 cables. Since there was a private connectivity between all the geographically separated locations of the company, all cameras at various locations were configured locally with VPN functionality (same class of IP address), and were viewed at a central location without port forwarding. A Matrix NVR was placed at the central location, and all the cameras from different locations were connected to it. This allowed streams from all twelve locations to be viewed on a single screen. In this way, Matrix helped the automobile giant maintain process compliance in its stores throughout the country. Centralized Control Better Brand Management Elimination of Compliance Check Costs Enhanced Security Employee Discipline Matrix products used: SATATYA CIBR13FL40CW: 1.3MP IP BULLET CAMERA SATATYA CIDR13FL40CW: 1.3MP IP DOME CAMERA SATATYA NVR24P: 24-CHANNEL NETWORK VIDEO RECORDER WITH 6TB STORAGE SUPPORT

Siklu Inc., a supplier of mmWave solutions, has announced that its radios have been selected by Israel Police as their main wireless fiber solution. These systems were selected for nationwide deployments as well as temporary events for the purpose of backhauling HD video surveillance systems and advanced sensors.  The Israel Police, similar to police forces all over the world, face a considerable challenge when it comes to deploying a camera array at a city’s main centers within a short timeframe. Adding to the difficulties in securing these parades, is the legacy communication infrastructure in the old rock-based, mountainous terrain city of Jerusalem. When a wireless communication option is considered, the challenge of a dense urban environment packed with thousands of interfering Wi-Fi networks, needs to be addressed. Putting on a Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem, the holiest city in the world presented an additional challenge – how fast the city’s technology partners, MER Group, SMBIT and Siklu would be able to design, supply and install the very small mmWave radios at the strategic locations marked by the security experts. The surveillance cameras serve as a deterrent, as potentially disruptive groups are aware that they are being filmed High-Quality Video Streams Operating in the abundant 70GHz band, with 5GHz of continues spectrum, Siklu’s radios were not constrained by the costly and time-consuming frequency survey associated with legacy wireless solutions. At each location, the Police placed 2 HD cameras and simply deployed the Siklu radios back to back, eliminating the need for traditional multiple powering and switching devices. Simplified deployment was enabled by the Siklu EtherHaul radios with their integrated switch and dual PoE out. At each pole and rooftop along the parade route, a single EH-710TX radio was able to power the complete pack of cameras and radios. With these features and capabilities, the whole network was deployed in only 1 day. On the day of the parade, the event gathered four times the number of people (~20K) attending in recent years, and the Police commanders were more than satisfied with the quality of video streams arriving in real-time to the control rooms. The live, high quality video streams enabled real-time response from the Police to any possible provocations. The cameras also serve as a deterrent, as potentially disruptive groups are aware that they are being filmed. Siklu’s mmWave technology, carefully tailored for our security networks, was definitely the right call to make" Wireless Fiber Links Yoav Ludmer, SMBIT’s CEO stated that “for all city events, we should provide adequate safety measures for the huge crowds expected. The Israel Police tested and deployed Siklu’s mmWave radios a few months prior to the Gay Pride Parade in another sensitive part of Jerusalem, and the solution proved to be rock solid.” For the first time in Israel, Siklu’s mmWave wireless fiber links were deployed in hours to support Police surveillance cameras and sensors. “After experiencing the high-quality video cameras enabled by Siklu’s technology and integrated by the MER Group and SMBIT, we challenged them to deliver a complex solution in very little time for a very sensitive temporary event and the result was impressive” said Israel’s Police Chief Technology Consultant, Avi Gohar. “Siklu’s mmWave technology, carefully tailored for our security networks, was definitely the right call to make. It proved to be a real game changer for us, and indeed for the city.”

A rapidly-deployable temporary fence line has helped a construction giant deliver a key installation for National Grid to help meet London’s increasing energy needs. A new 400kV Gas Insulated Switchgear electricity substation has been constructed as part of the EAN Framework and connected to a £1bn 32km electricity superhighway deep below the capital. Perimeter security mesh manufacturer Zaun Ltd provided 155 metres of high-security Rapid Deployable System (RDS) fencing for temporary protection of the construction works. Zaun subsidiary Binns Fencing installed the system. Security For High-Profile Events RDS has won a number of security innovation awards, has been used to secure the main political parties’ autumn conferences over recent years and forms part of the National Barrier Asset. Three massive electricity transformers, each of which had to be delivered on a special 60m long trailer with a police escort, have been craned into place at the Seven Sisters Road substation. The new 32km electricity superhighway is part of a seven-year £1bn project – due to be fully operational this year – to help keep Londoners connected to safe and reliable electricity supplies. This involves reinforcing the high voltage network across London by installing new cables and wires in deep underground tunnels, from Hackney to St Johns Wood, Willesden to St Johns Wood and Wimbledon to Kensal Green. The project includes the longest single-length cable pull in an underground utility tunnel in the UK.

IP network dependability matters in physical security and safety applications, given that a company’s assets and people are at risk. There have been strides in the areas of network dependability, fault-tolerance, reliability, and survivability. However, networks (or affordable ones, at any rate) still cannot ensure near-100 percent uptime, which is why system designers acknowledge and plan for the possibility of a network outage. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can/should an IP networked system adapt when network connectivity is lost?