Dimension Data - through its Asian subsidiary Datacraft - has implemented the first, sophisticated IP (Internet Protocol) multicasting network in Korea`s financial market. This network saves money by using fewer leased lines while simultaneously improving network security and making network management easier.
The network is being used by Hyundai Securities, the stockbroking arm of the giant Hyundai Group, Hyundai Securities, to simultaneously provide its 150 branch offices and 1,2- million customers real-time information and the latest status on the country`s booming stock market.
In addition, the network will also serve as the foundation for a Home Trading System, which will extend online trading to investors across Korea using a simple, five-step procedure to buy or sell the counters of their choice. Hyundai Securities will also be opening up cyber branches across the country to give customers easy access to cyber trading.
According to Bruce Watson, chief executive, Dimension Data network services, IP multicasting is recognised as the optimum solution for securities companies which need to send constantly updated information to large numbers of customers simultaneously.
"Most securities firms use unicasting, which means sending individual packets to each destination. This imposes a huge and unnecessary load on the network infrastructure, increasing the risk of faults and delays.
"With IP multicasting routing, a single packet is sent to a multicast group, which is identified by a single IP address. The result is a significant saving in network bandwidth because files are transmitted as one data stream over the backbone and only split apart to the target stations by the router at the end of the path," he explains.
Dong-woo Han, System Team Manager of Hyundai Securities says the company had to upgrade its information network to cater to the phenomenal upturn in trading on the local stock market, recent strong growth in its customer base, and the fact that Hyundai Securities had established 100 new branch offices.
Hyundai Securities recorded dramatic improvements in network utilisation immediately upon implementing the IP multicasting solution. Network loading dropped from 60% to 5%, while leased line usage declined by half.
Four levels of redundancy ensure that the network operates flawlessly at all times.
"The results have been most impressive. We`ve solved the problem of customers getting outdated information because of transmission delays, and at the same time we have improved our network security.
"More important, we have ample spare network capacity to support our business growth and our network operating costs have gone down, " Dong-woo Han concludes.
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Dimension Data
Dimension Data is a leading global network and interactive integration services Group which provides communications network services and e-commerce solutions to enterprises, telecommunications service providers and new economy companies.
Operating in over 30 countries on six continents, the Dimension Data Group is divided into the Network Services and Interactive Commerce (i-Commerce) divisions. The Group is one of the largest independent network and interactive integration services businesses world wide, offering customers truly global solutions.
The Group has achieved a compound annual growth rate of 106% in turnover and 38% in basic earnings per share in US dollars over the past three years.