The Cabling Services Division of national value-added reseller and solutions company, First Technology, has successfully completed a major network infrastructure upgrade for the Sappi mill at Mandini.
The upgrade follows Sappi`s decision to switch to UTP technology for integrated voice and data after a long-standing tradition of coaxial cabling.
"After consultation with Sappi, we implemented a network design that includes a Cisco Catalyst 4006 switch at the core, enabling a Gigabit backbone to feed approximately 400 network points through Cisco 100MB Catalyst 3524 switches," says Mike Vagle, cabling manager, First Technology Durban.
"Following an extensive tender process the Krone UTP C5 Highband system was chosen as the preferred cabling system for Sappi. The Krone system offers great flexibility for voice and data integrated cabling systems, controlled cable management systems, high performance specification, national global support and an established Certified installer program.
"Krone Highband is the ideal cross connection system for networks that are running high-speed data applications, ensuring maximum bandwidth capacity. In addition 11 fibre optic gigabit backbone cables were installed linking areas in the factory to the main computer room," Vagle explains.
Steve Du Toit, site manager at Sappi Mandini commended the cabling team at First Technology for the high quality of their work and professional attitude.
"Users were automatically re-routed to the operating fibre optic backbone loop without any disconnection or downtime. The new network guarantees us dramatically improved performance with higher speeds and increased resilience," Du Toit concludes.
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