The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has done complete forklift upgrade of its networking systems, introducing an Enterasys solution that includes workgroup and core switches, network management, intrusion detection and security management.
The new network provides improved network performance for future interactive services, such as video, and dramatically improved security, especially for mobile devices that are increasingly being connected into the SABS network.
The multi-million rand installation was implemented by long-time SABS technology provider and Enterasys partner, Olicom. It started in mid-2006 and was completed earlier this year.
The new network replaces old Olicom Token Ring equipment with Enterasys' high-speed Ethernet technology. "The Token Ring equipment worked well, but we experienced problems with availability of parts," says Jakkie Pretorius, Operations Manager at SABS. A further cost issue was that most PCs and servers these days come standard with Ethernet ports built in, so having to install additional Token Ring network interface cards was proving expensive.
SABS offices were already cabled with a structured Category 5 wiring system, so the new devices could simply be swapped in. Connectivity is now provided by five-slot N-Series chassis switches at the core, and stackable Secure Stack C2 switches at the edge. The Wide Area Network is taken care of through an outsourcing relationship with Verizon.
Device security and intrusion detection is provided through Enterasys' Dragon suite of products, while NetSight Policy Manager takes care of network management and traffic engineering.
"We chose an Enterasys solution because it could give us a great deal of value for money in pure performance, in the feature set it includes as a standard, and in its ability to let us easily introduce technologies that are becoming important to the SABS, especially productivity tools like video conferencing and mobility," explains Pretorius.
SABS often has auditors and inspectors moving between sites that use mobile devices such as smart phones and laptops, either connecting into the network wirelessly or using a Virtual Private Network over the Internet from remote locations.
Enterasys' support for policy-based 802.11x network access control (NAC) to authenticate third party devices right at the edge of the network, allows SABS to give users more mobility but still maintain strict security in the future.
As SABS implements more authentication technology, it is planning to introduce the Enterasys Sentinel access management solution, along with power over Ethernet for remote cameras, door access control or voice over IP terminals.
SABS has over 1 100 users on its network, based at its head office in Pretoria, and at several branch offices around the country, in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Midrand, Saldanha, Richards Bay, Namibia (Walvis Bay) and Secunda, with an additional satellite office at the CSIR building in Pretoria.
"A major factor in our choice of Enterasys was the support we get through the LANCare maintenance contract. We had a problem on an extremely dusty site in Secunda where equipment was damaged. Enterasys support engineers diagnosed the problem and swapped out the equipment on the same day, even though the site was very remote," said Pretorius.
Martin May, Regional Director for Enterasys Africa, commented, "Enterasys designs its technology for reliability, robustness and flexibility. Our Matrix switches have high capacity passive back-plane, allowing customers to add the modules they need as they need them. Our Dragon security systems integrate tightly with third party firewall and virus scanners to leave no holes, and Sentinal access management operates with any 802.11x compliant equipment to protect the network before rogue devices can even attach.
"SABS has implemented a solution that delivers a solid return on investment now, and will grow with them into the future."
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Enterasys Networks investor group - led by The Gores Group and Tennenbaum Capital Partners. Enterasys' unique Secure Networks solutions secure any network from any vendor and ensure the integrity and performance of IT services and the business users that rely on them. Operational in South Africa for well over a decade, the local company is supported by a growing channel. Consistently delivering superior bespoke solutions, Enterasys has established an impressive client base in both the public and private sectors.
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