ALE, operating under the Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise brand, introduced a smart-device application to help businesses simplify and automate the configuration and deployment of video surveillance networks worldwide.
ALE, along with strategic technology partner BCDVideo, co-developed the BCDVideo Provisioning Assistant Application. BCDVideo, a trusted provider of innovative, purpose-built IP video storage solutions designed for security integrators, is working with ALE to deliver a more comprehensive networking and security solutions enabling integrators to deliver network configuration more effectively to businesses of all types.
The new application tool provides pre-defined configurations eliminating the need for high level video surveillance networking knowledge. The BCDVideo Provisioning Assistant app takes the complexity out of setting up the network and provides security integrators with benefits like faster configuration and lower manpower requirements that add to customer satisfaction and profitability of the deployment.
BCDVideo Provisioning Assistant
Together with BCDVideo, ALE is changing the way businesses approach video surveillance deployment"
“The BCDVideo Provisioning Assistant empowers security integrators with an innovative and powerful tool to rapidly and repeatedly deploy video optimised networks. The Provisioning Assistant provides a level of efficiency and security to video surveillance networks that previously required time consuming and complex configurations. This optimisation process is now simplified for any security integrator to deploy,” indicated Darren Giacomini, BCDVideo’s Director of Advanced Systems Architecture and co-creator of the application.
Based on the Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch and Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista portfolios, the application automates discovery and deployment of layer two and layer three networking. This enables cameras to be assigned IP addresses automatically, removing the potential error associated with manual intervention, while also delivering the high availability and performance necessary for a surveillance network. The Provisioning Assistant app ensures technicians correctly set up network configuration the first time, minimising the cost of additional follow ups or truck rolls for adjustments.
Learned Port Security (LPS) feature
With the application, staff can lockdown a switch, adding to network security, via a simple slide control called the Learned Port Security (LPS) feature. This prevents individuals from adding rogue devices to the network. In addition, the application makes it easy to replace switches on the network. If a problem occurs, replacement switches can be given the same configuration and be up and running in the time it takes to connect the cables. Thanks to Shortest Path Bridging (SPB), the video network is always available, on, and recording.
“Together with BCDVideo, ALE is changing the way businesses approach video surveillance deployment. With the Provisioning Assistant app we deliver a level of provisioning that allows IT administration to scale resources and ensures the network is set up correctly from the start”, said Stephan Robineau, ALE Network Business Division Executive Vice President.
Automation of the network deployment
Additional capabilities and benefits include:
- Automation of the network deployment, eliminating potential network configuration errors that results in lost profits due to repeated site truck rolls.
- Automated provisioning of DHCP, saving integrators time and money. No need to statically configure IP addresses on IP cameras.
- Reduction in network provisioning timeline. Very large networks can be provisioned in a matter of minutes rather than hours.
- Network switches are optimised for real time traffic and video flows.
- Automation of port security for IP cameras at the switch level.
- Removes need for time-consuming training. Application only assumes entry level network experience.