Back in 2005, private investment company Reggeborgh and KPN, the Netherlands’ largest network provider, joined forces to start building a nationwide fibre-optic network. Reggefiber, as the joint venture was called, built new headquarters in Rijssen, which it chose to secure with Nedap AEOS. Since then, Reggefiber has built almost 1,000 Points of Presence (POPs) throughout the Netherlands, a number set to grow to 4,000 over the next decade. All these optical fibre hubs are equipped with AEOS controllers, readers and the latest AEOS functionalities.
Reggefiber had specific requirements for securing its POPs. Therefore, Nedap and Niscayah, a Nedap business partner, sat down with Reggefiber to work out a special “POP Controller”, using standard AEOS elements. The made-to-measure controller now provides all currently needed functionality as well as expansion options for functionalities possibly required in future.
POP Controller
The “POP Controller” assembled for Reggefiber contains standard AEOS hardware components and embedded software to manage and monitor intrusion detection, access control, additional sensors and CCTV cameras. Using standard components to build a made-to-measure system saves on development costs when compared to a bespoke system. An added advantage is that Reggefiber will not be dependent on custom-built software and special interfaces if the company decides to expand or change functionalities in the future. This reduces Total Cost of Ownership.
Scalability
The Reggefiber project was challenging because of the large number of POP locations and authorisations at contractor and subcontractor level. Every location had to be equipped with a door reader, a door contact, an intrusion sensor, a humidity sensor and a heat sensor. Another requirement was that all the information gathered had to be readable and monitorable with the latest technologies. The special environmental conditions and the enormous scale of the project made AEOS the perfect technological match: state-of-the-art security technology used to guard tomorrow’s communication network. Another reason why AEOS was so well-suited to this project, is the fact that the system provides for future developments in terms of growth, capacity and as yet unforeseen demands. AEOS’ scalability allows Reggefiber to increase its number of POPs exponentially without having to worry about the system’s stability.
Usability
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| AEOS hardware components and embedded software help manage and monitor intrusion detection, access control and CCTV cameras |
At Reggefiber’s headquarters in Rijssen, a fully equipped control room (NOC) monitors the various POPs around the clock. This is also where direct control is taken when a system alert comes in. Such alerts are generated when someone enters a POP without authorisation, or when someone tries to sabotage the security system, but also when the indoor temperature fluctuates too much, humidity exceeds set limits, or the AC malfunctions.
The control room in Rijssen is also where the doors in the POPs are opened when someone identifies him or herself for maintenance or repair work. In addition, contractors and subcontractors have been issued special ID badges with specific, possibly temporary or limited, access rights to the POPs. These badges and authorisations are issued and managed from the central AEOS server in Rijssen. Because AEOS is fully web-based, issuing badges or changing authorisations can be done from any workstation.
Flexible environment
The AEOS hardware is physically installed in cooperation with Niscayah. At the production site where the physical POPs are manufactured, Niscayah installs the POP controllers. As soon as the POP is placed in a new fibre-optic cable area, Niscayah connects the controllers by means of UMTS. In this way the POP and the equipment can be controlled, even when the network is not up yet. As soon as the network is available without interruption, AEOS is switched over to the new, continuous, connection.
Business continuity
In order to guarantee Reggefiber’s business continuity, it is essential to ensure optimal functioning of its core business, i.e. the optical fibre network and related systems. In practice this means that the power supply must be continuous and controlled, the POPs must be cooled continuously and humidity must be regulated.
Reggefiber has provided advanced systems to create and maintain the perfect conditions. Any deviations or disruptions are picked up immediately by sensors connected to the AEOS components. At the NOC in Rijssen, Reggefiber employees use the AEOS Graphical Alarm Handler to monitor and deal with incoming alerts.
Nedap has provided an intelligent power supply unit with UPS functionality, which provides direct power supply for sensors and locks and emergency power supply. Central monitoring of the power supply unit’s status allows staff to respond proactively. This makes the process of business continuity assurance more efficient and effective.
