The Research Institute for Networks and Communications Engineering (RINCE) at Dublin City University is getting a new EUR450,000 multimedia-ready networking infrastructure installed by Lan Communications.
The communications platform serves 250 staff and students and supports a long-term programme of interdisciplinary research including broadband switching, microelectronics and artificial life.
RINCE is just one of the initiatives being funded by the Higher Education Authority’s research programme and its mission is to make landmark contributions to the understanding of information and communication technologies.
‘The demands of cutting-edge research call for a networking infrastructure, which can support next generation multimedia services and deliver powerful performance for voice/video/data,’ said John Whelan, IT Manager at RINCE.
‘For example, the Video Media Processing Group, VMPG, is currently using bandwidth-intensive, multimedia based devices, to develop third generation mobile products and services. Our ability to provide them with a high-speed, stable communications platform directly affects their ability to develop such products and exchange information with other research groups on campus and beyond.’
In designing a network infrastructure to cater for unpredictable traffic flows, traffic optimisation was a top priority as Sean McNamee, managing director at LAN Communications explains. ‘We installed a Cisco Catalyst 6509 chassis switch at the core. This not only delivers multilayer Gigabit Ethernet switching but also allows us to configure Virtual LANs. This involves logically segmenting the network by project team and localising their respective traffic to a common subnet. This optimises traffic flows and maximises the speed at which voice, video or data packets can be transmitted within common groups.’
The core chassis is connected to fifty-four Cisco Catalyst 3550 stackable switches, distributed across a total of twenty-four wiring closets. They support the delivery of converged voice/video/data applications with a high level of security and enhanced Quality of Service (QoS). The entire network is managed by CiscoWorks 2000, a network management application that allows for the monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintenance of a broad range of devices across the LAN.
13/01/2003
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