Switches

Antaira Technologies is a global developer and manufacturer of industrial networking devices and communication solutions for harsh environment applications and is proud to announce the expansion of its industrial networking infrastructure family with the introduction of the FCU-6001-SFP+. Antaira Technologies’ FCU-6001-SFP+ media converter is equipped with one 10G/5G/2.5G/1G Base-T auto-negotiation port and one 10G Base-X SFP+ slot. It supports 10Gigabit Ethernet media conversion from copper 10GBASE-T to fibre multi-mode or single-mode, utilising 10GBASE-SR or 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver installed in the SFP+ slot to extend distances to servers, switches and patch panels. Operates between 0°C and 50°C The deployment distance can be extended from 300 meters (multi-mode) to up to 60 kilometres (single-mode). They are designed for use in network environments where the ultra-high bandwidth provided by 10Gigabit Ethernet is required; for example, data centre cloud computing, enterprise backbones, campus networks, and carrier infrastructure. The FCU-6001-SFP+ supports chassis as well as wall mountable orientations and provides an operating temperature range from 0°C to 50°C.

barox, the manufacturer of professional standard switches, media converters and IP extenders specifically designed for video applications, is promoting the need for awareness not only in selecting video transmission products that utilise sophisticated measures to protect against cyber attacks, but also for all network users to proactively safeguard their own sphere of operation. barox has built important safeguards for protecting sensitive data networks. Extending the scope for consideration with relation to network performance and system integration to VMS, barox view network security in terms of both 'cyber hygiene’ and ‘cyber security’. Implementing cyber hygiene for data security The implementation of a good cyber hygiene regime will encompass the precautions users can take to keep data organised, safeJust as an individual engages in personal hygiene practices to maintain good health and well-being, cyber hygiene can help keep data safe and properly protected; where users of networks and other devices can take steps to maintain their system health and improve online security. The implementation of a good cyber hygiene regime will encompass the precautions users can take with the aim of keeping sensitive data organised, safe, and secure from theft and outside attacks, such as malware, which can severely hinder network functionality. “Good hygiene practice includes a mix of regularly updating software and changing the use of complex passwords to prevent malicious activities,” says Rudolf Rohr, co-founder & managing partner at barox. “Only those users who need admin-level access to devices should have device access, whilst other users should have only limited capabilities.” Access port locking In relation to supporting users with good hygiene practice, barox provides access port locking, switch support login with authentication certificate, and video transmission device ports can be automatically disabled if someone unplugs them. Also, with IP-based Virtual LANs, application networks cannot access a barox switch, and protection is offered by the protocol. In short, cyber hygiene is a good practice, enabling humans and network devices to work together efficiently. barox products help with the easy management of networks via access and distribution layers, delivering the tools to deliver secure data and video – and in preparation for future integrations, like IoT and other digital devices. End-to-end communication encryption barox utilise end-to-end communication encryption and certificates to lockout unauthorised network accessTo aid installers, integrators and system designers to maximise the security of their video transmission networks, barox have coined the term ‘AMPS’, standing for Access Protection, Management, Performance, and System, to explain the different areas of video network operation to be considered. With regards to Access Protection, barox utilise end-to-end communication encryption and certificates to lockout unauthorised network access. barox management of login covers the disabling of unoccupied ports, Mac locking, Access Control List, TACAS and multiple user control. Also, to prevent cyber criminals catching login passwords via insufficiently encrypted equipment, between server and browser, barox uses ‘dual encryption’ technology that provides its video transmission networks with a sophisticated high-security barrier. HTTPs and firewall protection The first security measure barox employs is Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), an established high-end transport encryption (used to protect online banking registration). barox uses HTTPS to encrypt the password on the way from the user's browser to the server of the switch. Providing high-end resilience, barox do not rely on this barrier alone. Offering ‘double security’, barox provide firewall-like protection against man-in-the-middle attacks with Access-Control List (ACL) and Access Control Entries (ACE).

Camden Door Controls, a provider of door activation and locking devices, is pleased to bring to market its CM-9800 Series Request to Exit switches. IP 66 rated and ADA & ROHS compliant, CM-9800 capacitive touch switches offer colour selectable LED illumination with vandal and weather resistant cast metal construction, and an adjustable 0 to 60 second relay timer. Switch illumination is highly visible in low light conditions and is easily activated by either the switch or door (locked) status. Other features include: 1-5/8” W x 2-3/8” H button area Large LED light ring, red/green/orange/none Switch status or door status illumination (external input) Heavy duty 2 Amp contacts, Form ‘C’ Selectable momentary, latching or timed relay operation Tamper Alarm, selectable on/off 12-24 V AC/DC

Legrand | AV Residential Solutions announced its participation at TecHomeX East 2019, taking place May 14-16 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. All nine Legrand | AV brands — Chief, Da-Lite, Luxul, Middle Atlantic, Nuvo, On-Q, QMotion, SANUS, and Vantage — will come together with infrastructure, networking, and AV systems designed to help homebuilders deliver reliable smart homes. Event highlights will include Luxul's Wi-Fi Assurance Program, in addition to dependable networking solutions, and On-Q structured wiring products for the Wi-Fi-ready home. Today's homebuilders are faced with the challenge of delivering Wi-Fi networks that are expected to work quickly and reliably 100% of the time. At TecHomeX East, they will see how Luxul's Wi-Fi Assurance Program eases this responsibility by providing builders with certified wired and wireless network designs that are guaranteed to meet homeowners' reliability and performance requirements relating to Wi-Fi. Showcasing routers, switches and wireless AP At TecHomeX East, Luxul will showcase a selection of reliable routers, switches, and wireless access points (AP)Luxul's advanced support team is available for configuration assistance, and any product experiencing a failure will be promptly replaced. If the wired or wireless network doesn't perform as expected, Luxul will provide any additional equipment to meet customers' expectations at no additional cost. In addition to the Wi-Fi Assurance Program, Legrand | AV supports builders with model home/design centre programs and rebate incentives. At TecHomeX East, Luxul will also showcase a selection of reliable routers, switches, and wireless access points (AP). Highlights will include Luxul's Epic series of wired and wireless Gigabit routers with integrated Domotz and Router Limits technologies; Luxul's fastest-ever Apex XAP-1610 wireless AP, featuring advanced 4x4 MU-MIMO technology for data rates up to 3167Mbps; and the XWC-1000 wireless controller with Luxul's exclusive Roam Assist technology. Display of On-Q plastic enclosures Structured wiring solutions on display at TecHomeX East will include the latest On-Q plastic enclosures, which are constructed of Wi-Fi-transparent plastic to support both wired and wireless services in a traditional structured wiring installation. They offer a backbone for the modern connected home, consolidating and distributing foundational wired services for video, voice, and data, while also integrating smart hubs and wireless devices to meet current and future homeowner demands. The enclosures are available in three sizes — 20 inch, 30 inch, and 42 inch. Wiring solutions for Wi-Fi-ready home We look forward to showing builders our rock-solid networking and structured wiring solutions for a Wi-Fi-ready home""Without Wi-Fi and connectivity, homeowners can't take advantage of the comfort, safety, and convenience smart homes provide, so it's quickly becoming the 'fourth utility' that they consider essential when making a purchase," said Joshua Roberson, national builder sales manager, electric wiring systems, at Legrand. "At TecHomeX East, we look forward to showing builders our rock-solid networking and structured wiring solutions for a Wi-Fi-ready home. But attracting a buyer is only the beginning; their high standards for network dependability must continue to be met once they live there. Our Wi-Fi Assurance Program allows homebuilders to meet this need with a certified design by our sales engineers, while offering homeowners the peace of mind of a guaranteed network." TecHomeX unites leading residential design/build and tech integration/contracting companies in the nation to see the future of home technology.

Matrox Graphics Inc. has announced Aggregator Mode, a cutting-edge, multi-system control feature available with Matrox Extio 3 high-performance IP KVM extenders. Taking Extio 3 IP extension and switching capabilities to a new level, this new mode of operation permits an Extio 3 receiver unit to aggregate multiple video streams coming from different Extio 3 transmitter units. Multiple computer desktops can then be viewed and controlled simultaneously from an Extio 3 receiver unit—with a single keyboard and mouse. Moving the mouse across a multi-screen desktop of up to four displays shifts control instantly from one computer to the next, providing users with unprecedented operational efficiency. Aggregator Mode is ideal for a wide range of applications including process control, industrial and automation, military and defense, healthcare, broadcast and post-production, and more. Extio 3 IP KVM extenders Aggregator Mode will be revealed for the first time at InfoComm 2019, in booth 3055. Aggregator Mode streamlines user operations by providing a unified view of information  Aggregator Mode streamlines user operations by providing a unified view of information coming from different computer systems. Users have the flexibility to define which computer desktop gets mapped to which screen attached to the Extio 3 receiver unit—they can select the video sources from the Extio on-screen-display (OSD), and then create and save layouts through its easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface. Aggregator Mode Extio 3’s Aggregator Mode supports computers with multiple video outputs, including independent or stretched desktop mode, while remote user-station setups can be arranged in various configurations such as 4x1, 3x1, 2x1 or 2x2. Guest connections are also available for collaborative environments, where different users can connect to the same source system simultaneously, with or without USB control. Aggregator Mode is easy to deploy as it is built into Matrox Extio 3 IP KVM extenders, minimising equipment cost and maintenance. It also does not require any additional software to be installed on the source computer system, ensuring that all system certifications remain intact for a truly seamless and simplified KVM installation. IP KVM extension and switching Matrox Extio 3 continues to set the standard for IP KVM extension and switching" “Matrox Extio 3 continues to set the standard for IP KVM extension and switching,” says Caroline Injoyan, business development manager, Matrox Graphics Inc. “In addition to providing industry-leading 4Kp60 and quad 1080p60 4:4:4 performance at unprecedentedly low bitrates, Aggregator Mode provides users with the most efficient workspace. This is essential in 24/7 environments for example, where operators can now pull and view critical information from multiple system data points to make timely, well-informed decisions. We encourage you to stop by at InfoComm 2019 to witness this first-hand.” Aggregator Mode will be available as a free Extio 3 firmware and Matrox Extio Central Manager software upgrade in Q4 2019. Matrox Extio 3 Series cards  Redefining IP KVM extension technology, Matrox Extio 3 Series cards and appliances are capable of providing 4Kp60 4:4:4 or quad 1080p60 4:4:4, desktop-quality video at 5% of the bandwidth required by most other products available in the market today. With exceptional remote performance, smooth video playback, and pristine image quality, Extio 3 Series features the best-in-class resolution support required of professional applications—a DisplayPort 1.2 connector on Extio 3 N3408 IP KVM extenders ensure a maximum resolution of 3840x2160 at 60Hz in true color. Extio 3 Series also provides flexible configuration options, supporting copper or fiber-optic cabling in point-to-point or networked KVM operations. Extio 3 readily works with standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) network switches that significantly diminishes the total cost of ownership to deliver a scalable, secure, and cost-effective KVM matrix switching solution over IP.

Luxul, the innovator of IP networking solutions for AV integrators, announces its lineup for InfoComm 2019, taking place June 12-14 in Orlando, Florida. At the Legrand, AV Commercial Solutions booth 2500, Luxul will showcase its latest family of Gigabit switches designed for AV over IP applications. “With the rise in popularity of AV over IP distribution, the network switch is now the matrix — but not just any switch will do,” said Brannon Young, Luxul’s Vice President of Business Development. PoE power scheduling “A managed switch with QoS, VLAN, or IGMP support is usually required. Luxul managed switches support all three of these protocols, with the addition of full-speed backplanes to easily handle data traffic. They are perfect for classrooms, boardrooms, huddle rooms, and other professional environments, and we can’t wait for attendees to see them in action at InfoComm.” Auto-Recovery allows the switch to power cycle unresponsive PoE devices Luxul’s newest 18-port/16 PoE+ L2/L3 AMS-1816P and 12-port/8 PoE+ XMS-1208P managed Gigabit switches, featuring Self-Healing with PoE Auto-Recovery and PoE Power Scheduling, will be on display. Auto-Recovery allows the switch to power cycle unresponsive PoE devices, and Power Scheduling enables switch PoE ports to be turned on or off on a schedule. Self-healing feature For simple network expansion, the AMS-1816P is equipped with two Gigabit RJ-45 (one combo port and one dedicated) and two Gigabit SFP ports, while the XMS-1208P features two Gigabit RJ-45 uplink ports and two SFP ports. These features allow for high-speed interconnection between SFP-compatible Luxul switches and enable integrators to connect devices via Ethernet or fiber-optic cable. Luxul’s Self-Healing feature is also available on the company’s 12-port/8 PoE+ AMS-1208P, 26-port/24 PoE+ stackable L2/L3 AMS-4424P, 26-port/24 PoE+ AMS-2624P, 26-port/24 PoE+ XMS-2624P, 52-port PoE+ L2/L3 XMS-5248P, and 52-port stackable L2/L3 XMS-7048P.

Security consultants are on the front lines of trends such as “smart buildings” and the increasing demand for green technologies. We recently gathered together several consultants to reflect on what’s new in these areas, joined by a representative of HID Global. Participants were Chris Grniet of Guidepost Solutions, Brandon Frazier of Elert & Associates, Terry Harless of Burns & McDonnell, and Harm Radstaak, HID Global’s Vice President and Managing Director, Physical Access Control. SourceSecurity.com: What are your thoughts on the emergence of “smart buildings”? How do you see the concept expanding? How does making a building “smart” add value to it as an asset? Brandon Frazier: The term smart building has been a moving target beginning in the late 1800s with the electric thermostat. As I see things now becoming networked, becoming smarter, I think we’ll be able to aggregate a lot of data, and probably use that data. I think there will be new ways to use data for the average customer. Chris Grniet: Smart buildings have been a long time coming. It’s about green, sustainability, the ability to control your environment, and making sure you get the most efficiency out of an asset. To understand how an asset is being used is very important. A lot of clients these days are looking for occupancy calculations: Are my facilities being used to their utmost capabilities? What are my populations, and how do I control the environments? And is the real estate really worth keeping because so many people are working remotely? Harm Radstaak: I believe that smart buildings will bring our traditional security industry potentially into a new space, with data analytics and servicing end users, and channeling data to be used for green buildings, sustainability, space utilisation. It’s important for our industry to know how we will make sure that data is secure and trusted for end users and to provide the correct technology, services and solutions. Terry Harless: Another thing is that smart buildings can be used for maintenance. In the security world, you can keep a log of how many people have gone through a door, or use it for maintaining batteries if you’re using wireless devices, or maybe maintain your locks when they have been cycled so many times. {##Poll36 - How do you make your security systems more green?##} SourceSecurity.com: How important is being “green” related to design decisions and product selection? How do you use green products? Frazier: The world of selecting electronics based on green criteria has always been very tricky. A lot of manufacturers have come out with “green products.” I’ve seen more power-efficient products, and we are seeing certifications on them. But it is very difficult, I think, to truly design a green technology-based system end-to-end. Not just single components but an entirely efficient system. Radstaak: I see it as absolutely a trend for end users to specify new buildings according to sustainability and green specifications. For HID Global and ASSA ABLOY, we see it as one of the megatrends worldwide. Green and sustainability are critical as we define our products and solution set and bring that back to the table in design engineering and product marketing. Harless: I’m on board and think green is good. But as far as helping with accumulating points for the LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certification, I have talked with several architects and engineers in the past who are LEED certified and discussed with them some of the green security products out there. For the most part, they say the products are not providing any points for them. They typically don’t want to waste the time of adding security into their evaluation. SourceSecurity.com: So the “green” that we have achieved in the security market is not translating into enough quantitative scoring to make a difference in the LEED certification. Frazier: I think our power usage is so miniscule compared to the big building systems that the savings we offer are just not worth their time (to document). Grniet: I have had some opposite experiences where we are able to contribute if we don’t call it a security category, but we put it in with the low voltage category, so now we have greener power consumption on my switches, my computing systems, people are putting OTNs (optical transport networks) in, and not utilising as much power on a floor-by-floor basis. Now I have smart power supplies, smart locks, green locks. Where the industry has always lacked is the sustainability piece. We talk about zero landfill projects. We talk about rare earth metals involved in these processes, and other materials; this industry continues to source from remote regions. Everybody is pitching “built in America,” but we all have to source something from abroad, and those are real challenges for the security industry. Not to mention the fact that, unfortunately, we ship everything in small packages – it’s all unitised. So we create massive landfills by doing that. There are some companies that have gone out and started packaging in mass relative to orders and said: “This is how we are going to ship, not on an individual piece-by-piece basis.” That has to speak to the entire supply chain relative to sustainability. Read part 2 of our Consultants' Forum series here

Increasing the quality of illumination with LED can help deter crime and improve the accuracy of video analytics One of the greatest challenges that indoor and outdoor security surveillance solutions face is lack of light. However, obtaining the proper amount of illumination for security goes beyond merely flooding a specific area with light. Without an adequate lighting source, video cameras are ineffective. When capturing only dark, blurry images and video, they can quickly become worthless to security staff or law enforcement personnel. On the other hand, too much of the wrong type of light can create issues like ‘hot spots’ and overheating, which can diminish crucial details and eventually cause irreversible camera damage. Fortunately, there has been a recent global shift that is sending users away from the old incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, and toward LED lighting. Regardless of the type of CCTV application, there are an abundance of reasons to stop using alternative types of illumination. Here are 3 of the most substantial. 1. Better illumination and clarity You would think it would be common knowledge by now that cameras need light to see, and well-lit areas provide less cover for criminals to commit crimes. However, it is still somewhat commonplace to have sites where either not enough lighting or the wrong kind of lighting is implemented. Increasing the quality of illumination in an area has the ability to deter crime, make other accompanying safety devices perform better and even improve the accuracy of video analytics. LED lamps are currently the only security lighting option that possesses a multitude of point sources, making it possible to  aim your light Integrators need a lighting solution that consistently performs, and when it comes to supplying the best operation, price, and durability; external LED lighting is the only choice. One particular aspect of external LED lighting that makes optimum illumination possible is the strategic uniformity of its design. External LED lamps are currently the only security lighting option that possesses a multitude of point sources, making it possible to literally aim your light by situating individual diodes in a specific angle or position. This type of alignment offers a more consistent and predictable light source than anything else on the market, eliminating much of the uncertainty involved in installation. This allows you to light a larger area more effectively and efficiently with nearly zero effort. 2. Faster start-up time Whether you are talking about protecting a utilities facility, school campus or international border, it doesn’t take long for an incident to occur. Unlike traditional HID (high intensity discharge) lights, which can take up to a half an hour to reach full competency, LED’s spark up immediately. The colder the climate of the area, the more difficulty the HID bulbs have getting started and functioning properly. Given that there are many places in the United States alone where temperatures can sit at or below single digits, it seems almost absurd to consider anything else besides LED lighting. This sizable flaw can be especially detrimental if attempting to set up any kind of crime deterring, motion detection solution. One of the most crucial components of a sufficient response system is reaction time. Having a sluggish start up regarding any component is much like having a 15 year-old guard dog laying in your yard. By the time the security lights get up and running, the offender has already committed the crime and vacated the premises. And as dependable as the old boy may have been in the years past, he is now just too darn slow. And with an industry that is quickly moving toward more effective real-time, situational security solutions, a hesitated response is the last thing desired. Unlike traditional HID lights, which can take up to a half an hour to reach full competency, LED’s spark up immediately 3. Increased life span and efficiency Organisations have the opportunity to save thousands of dollars each year in energy costs, whilst increasing site security by switching to LED based illuminators. LED’s provide the lowest running cost currently available, with less than 100 watts needed for the most powerful of units. Not to mention, the majority of additional wattage needed for other types of lighting units is generally burned off in the form of unwanted heat, decreasing both quality and length of life. How much longer LED’s lasts when compared to the alternative is astounding. For example, the average life span of an incandescent bulb is about 1,000 hours; fluorescent bulbs last for around 10,000 hours, while LED’s can shine bright up an impressive 100,000 hours. That is 100 times longer without changing a bulb. Furthermore, installing LED’s not only saves money in the form of lower energy and running costs, but also provides a very low rate of bulb malfunction or failure. This cuts down on maintenance fees as well as possible down time that could result in vulnerability. Inspections and servicing of lights alone can be very expensive and time consuming. LED’s radiate much less heat, reducing the chance of insect complications and helping prevent hot spot development, again saving you time, money and frustration at every camera site. Enhancing overall security solution As time goes on, the importance of strategic lighting becomes more and more evident for the security industry. The continual growth of technologically advanced video solutions (biometrics, crowd detection, motion tracking, etc.) demands a level of clarity and consistency that can only obtained through proper lighting. LED’s not only yield a lower running cost and better performance, they provide an enhanced level of control. The most important benefit of a security tool is not always how it performs independently, but how it increases the effectiveness of the overall security solution it is a part of.

Budget cuts are causing councils to scale down their systems, or decommission them altogether Budget cuts in England and Wales are leading to cameras being switched off to save money. But why is this happening and what could be done to minimise the impact on public space CCTV systems? The UK could be described as the CCTV “capital” of the world, with between 4 million and 6 million cameras deployed, according to a British Security Industry Association study in 2013. The vast majority of these are part of privately run systems mostly on “private” property, and do not feature in this article. We are concerned here with public space CCTV, usually run by – or at least involving – local government authorities. Due in part to large amounts of central government funding in the past (successive governments injected over £200 million of capital funding between 1994 and 2003), it was a boom time for public space surveillance. It seemed that every city and town was falling over itself to set up a surveillance system, often because the town next door had done so. Propelled by a fair amount of hype about what these systems could do and tacit acceptance of them by the public, they were soon to be seen in many towns and cities in the UK. Budgets squeezed and CCTV cut So are the good times over for CCTV? Well, there have been some radical moves recently which have seen local councils either scale down their systems, or decommission them altogether. Councils have had their budgets squeezed since austerity began in 2010, and there’s no sign of this changing any time soon. So, many of them have been looking at what expenditure cuts they can make. Unlike other services councils are legally required to deliver, CCTV is a “non-statutory service,” which means it’s at each council’s discretion. "The decision to carry out this limited decommissioning process was part of the response to central government funding cuts in general" A recent example of what can happen when councils are strapped for cash is Havant Borough Council in Hampshire, which switched off its 46-camera system this month, aiming to save £155,000 a year. “Reluctantly, after much consideration and investigation by our scrutiny panel, Havant Borough Council accepts the current CCTV system no longer fulfils a majority of the original objectives set out from when the system was set up in 1999,” said a spokesperson. Some of the cameras did not comply with the 2013 Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, and the system was described as “not fit for purpose.” The council concedes that although the local police force was approached to help with funding, no other sources of revenue – and no alternative technical solutions such as video analytics – were considered. Interestingly, Havant council says that if crime and anti-social behaviour rose “to a reasonable point,” alternative digital solutions would be investigated. If required, the council says it would work with other stakeholders towards a digital, fully integrated, centrally monitored CCTV system, with the council making a “financial contribution.” Over in Newbury, a 22-camera system has been switched off after West Berkshire Council stopped funding it. A council spokesperson told Newbury Today that among a whole range of cuts proposals that went out for consultation, the CCTV scheme had fewer responses than others, and as a result the council felt the money was better spent on other services. In Birmingham, the city council has decommissioned 51 cameras out of its stock of 276 since 2014. “We have physically decommissioned … cameras at various sites across Birmingham, as agreed by the council’s cabinet in March 2014,” said a spokesperson. “The decision to carry out this limited decommissioning process was part of the response to central government funding cuts in general – and the council is also required to adhere to guidance from the Surveillance Commissioner’s office, which states that cameras should only be used in areas where there is a pressing need.” Perhaps the most high-profile location to make plans to abandon its CCTV system is Westminster council London CCTV monitors to go dark Perhaps the most high-profile location to make plans to abandon its CCTV system is Westminster council in London, which will decommission its network of 75 cameras from 1 September. The scheme covers large parts of central London, was only established in 2002, and at the time was one of the most advanced in the country. The council revealed it has been discussing for “many years” the issue of the ongoing annual running costs of up to £1 million with the police, the Greater London Authority and central government, but no support has been forthcoming. If no solution can be found, Westminster council says it will allocate the £1.7 million currently earmarked for upgrading CCTV to other, “potentially more effective crime prevention measures,” such as improving the environment or better street lighting. Councillor Nickie Aiken, cabinet member for public protection, says: “Like many other local authorities around the country, our current view is that we are not able to continue to subsidise this non-statutory service when there are many other pressures on our budgets, and where other partners are the main beneficiaries.” City centre surveillance should be a priority Not all council members are happy with the decision. “We saw a 30 percent reduction in crime when [the cameras] were installed, so may we expect a 30 percent increase when they are no longer functional?” councillor Glenys Roberts asked in West End Extra. “Whenever there is a major incident anywhere in the world, CCTV plays a huge part in tracking and apprehending perpetrators, so of all the things the council spends money on, [it] should be a priority.” The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice says there has to be “a legitimate aim and a pressing need” in order to use CCTV. The term “pressing need” is not defined, so could be interpreted to mean only when there is an urgent rise in, or increased threat of, crime. Are there perhaps technical solutions available to mitigate this sorry state of affairs? Jacques Lombard, managing director of installation company Syntinex and vice chairman of the British Security Industry Association’s CCTV section, thinks so. “New technology such as HD 1080P and Ultra HD 4K can cover more than four times the area of a traditional analogue system, meaning the number of cameras required is significantly reduced. Installing fewer cameras does not necessarily mean less coverage.”  

With a population of more than 40,000, the City of Linden, New Jersey is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. It is located 13 miles southwest of Manhattan and borders Staten Island. In an effort to improve public safety and reduce crime, the city decided to modernise its video surveillance system. The City of Linden (the City) had more than 150 outdated, analogue cameras deployed throughout its buildings and parks. These consisted of an assortment of off-brand devices that lacked sufficient resolution, speed, and frame rates. To provide the highest quality video, the City decided to invest in a new citywide IP camera system. Purpose of video surveillance system Moving to IP cameras would require the City to increase its bandwidth capacity and upgrade its network video recorders (NVRs) to a more efficient, reliable, and secure video storage solution. This video surveillance system would need to: Support megapixel camera quality Be deployed at the network’s edge in various City buildings Stream video back to City Hall yet not be a burden on costs or bandwidth Be secure, simple to deploy, and easily expandable Work with world-class IP cameras and video management systems The City’s Department of Public Safety, led by the Police Department, oversaw the project. They hired Eastern Datacomm, a highly recommended system integrator out of Hackensack, New Jersey, to manage the entire project, from the installation of fibre lines for Internet to deploying the IP cameras and video surveillance appliances. Extra layer of security for clients Razberi makes it simple to manage and secure video surveillance and network-connected device solutionsOne reason the City of Linden chose Eastern Datacomm is because it has standardised on Razberi Technologies video surveillance appliances and software for all installations, providing an extra layer of security for its clients. Razberi makes it simple to manage and secure video surveillance and network-connected device solutions. Razberi appliances are highly reliable and network-optimised for megapixel quality. With the ability to record at the network’s edge and centrally, the Razberi suite of appliances also provide the flexibility that the City requires. A one-click VLAN setup establishes a private, secure network for camera traffic. Razberi’s intelligent video solutions are rightsized for the application including data centre, edge/fog, and rugged applications along with the ability to add cybersecurity protections. The appliances are also open to work with world-class video management solutions (VMS) and IP cameras. Built-in Razberi Monitor health monitoring software ensures the video surveillance system – all the way to each camera – is operating 24x7 without video loss or disruption. Installation of 250 IP cameras A Razberi EndpointDefender appliance is integrated with each Core device to provide Power over Ethernet+ (PoE+)Today, the City of Linden has more than 250 Panasonic IP cameras deployed across 13 locations. The main site is City Hall, which includes the Police Department. Cameras are also installed in four fire houses, two youth centres, the library, and various points around the train station and parking lot. At City Hall, Eastern Datacomm installed four Razberi Core appliances. These robust, server-class appliances centrally record heavier video surveillance workloads. This enables the City to be in compliance with the State of New Jersey’s retention law, which mandates that municipal video recordings be kept for 90 days. In addition, a Razberi EndpointDefender appliance is integrated with each Core device to provide Power over Ethernet+ (PoE+). EndpointDefender includes the Razberi CameraDefense cybersecurity software solution, should the City need it in the future. This extends industry best practice cyber protections all the way to the camera or Internet of Things (IoT) endpoint. ServerSwitchIQ edge appliances The ServerSwitchIQ’s compact size and ease of deployment worked for the City’s remote outdoor security camera locationsIn the City’s other buildings, the integrator deployed 12 Razberi ServerSwitchIQ edge appliances. More than an NVR, these devices combine a PoE+ switch, server, storage, and intelligence. By recording video near the network’s edge closer to the cameras, the appliances enable City workers at each location to monitor and play back video when needed. There is no need to constantly stream video back to City Hall, which reduces the impact of megapixel cameras on the network. The ServerSwitchIQ’s compact size and ease of deployment also worked for the City’s remote outdoor security camera locations. Each is small enough to fit into telco rooms under lock and key while handling the amount of cameras required. The City did not have to deploy servers, cabinets, and other equipment traditionally used for video surveillance systems. Eastern Datacomm monitors the video surveillance system via the Razberi Monitor software, which provides automated, real-time collection of system component properties and status such as storage disks, CPU Temperature, RAID arrays, and network traffic. With 24x7 monitoring and alerts, especially if a camera fails or goes down, Eastern Datacomm can take corrective action immediately. Reducing crime and enhancing quality of life The system is enabling the Police department to fulfil our mission to reduce crime, improve the delivery of Police services"“Our upgraded video surveillance system with the IP cameras and Razberi appliances gives the City of Linden one of the most state-of-the-art video surveillance systems in the country,” said David Hart, Chief of Police, City of Linden Police Department. “The system is enabling the Police department to fulfil our mission to reduce crime, improve the delivery of Police services, and enhance the quality of life for Linden residents. We have already solved some criminal cases using the security system with its reliable, high-quality video footage.” The City of Linden anticipates adding more cameras over time. They are working on a five-year plan to put more cameras in their 39 parks and other buildings. Each Razberi appliance can accommodate up to 24 IP cameras, making the system easily expandable.

Kwikset brand of Spectrum Brands, Inc. – Hardware & Home Improvement Division, announces that its SmartCode 888 Deadbolt Lock was chosen to become part of the new Home is Connected smart home system from D.R. Horton, Inc. The inclusion of Kwikset’s SmartCode 888 in the system was based on its value (great functionality at an entry-level price), reliability, and high degree of security. Incorporating the latest Z-Wave 500 chipset, the SmartCode 888 offers keyless entry through a convenient, easy-to-use touchpad. Kwikset’s patented Home Connect technology enables the lock to wirelessly communicate with other devices in the home through a third-party smart home controller, as well as to remotely check the door lock status, lock or unlock the door and receive notifications. Innovative program D.R. Horton’s Home Is Connected system is included in the base price of each new home from the company’s family of brands D.R. Horton’s 'Home Is Connected' system is included in the base price of each new home from the company’s family of brands. The system includes a robust central hub by Qolsys that controls the smart home features, including a home alarm and automation platform by Alarm.com, Honeywell Home thermostat from Resideo, smart switches by Eaton Corporation, video doorbell by SkyBell and hands-free, voice-first experiences with Amazon Alexa. “We are pleased to be part of such an innovative program created by the nation’s largest volume homebuilder,” said Dave Seeman, Director of National Builder Accounts, Kwikset and Baldwin, Spectrum Brands, Inc. – Hardware & Home Improvement Division. Convenience of keyless entry “We are confident that buyers of D.R. Horton homes will not only appreciate the security and convenience of keyless entry that our SmartCode 888 provides, but also the endless benefits of whole home automation. To be a part of a system that includes such well-known, reputable brands indicates to us the high level of trust D.R. Horton puts in our products.” Brad Conlon, Vice President of National Accounts for D.R. Horton, said, “We are pleased to work with Kwikset to provide this essential component to D.R. Horton’s new Home is Connected smart home system. We know our customers will appreciate the peace of mind that comes from Kwikset’s SmartCode 888 lock and the Home is Connected system overall.”

A 300-plus camera city centre video surveillance scheme in Lincoln has been installed and commissioned using cameras, monitors and switching equipment from Dahua Technology. The previous analogue-based CCTV system was more than 20 years old and had become expensive to maintain, so City of Lincoln Council decided to replace the analogue cameras and transmission equipment with HD digital equipment. The total cost of ownership has been reduced by the savings made on legacy fibre lease costs, as well as reduced energy consumption and the ability to configure and maintain the cameras remotely. Installation of IP full HD system The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020 The design of the new all-wireless encrypted system was based around delivering flexible technology, reducing the total cost of ownership, ease of installation, lower maintenance requirements, smart edge analytics and remote connectivity. Environmentally friendly aspects of the project included specifying lower-energy equipment, integrating remote support and recycling hardware wherever possible. The council employed independent consultants Lever Technology Group to help them ensure they had a robust and future-proof radio network design. The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020 – which seeks to drive innovation in the city and harness new technologies to improve the lives of citizens. One of the results is the provision of free Wi-Fi in the city, working alongside the Dahua cameras using the same IP wireless network. Bandwidth efficiency using H.265 compression A combination of fixed and PTZ cameras were installed over a new 1GB duplex network. These include cameras from the Dahua Pro series, which features high image quality, bandwidth efficiency using H.265 compression and excellent low-light performance. Bullet cameras from the Ultra series – with powerful optical zoom, IR distances of up to 50 metres and software which supports people-counting and heat-mapping – were also installed. The design of the scheme incorporated both camera and server-side analytics with legacy motion and audio detection The bandwidth efficiency of the cameras meant that multiple cameras could be installed in any given position, providing 360° coverage of locations and up to 20 Megapixels of video capacity per location – compared with less than 400,000 pixels with the previous analogue cameras. The design of the scheme incorporated both camera and server-side analytics, including video content analytics, facial recognition, ANPR, heat maps and pedestrian counting, as well as legacy motion and audio detection. The objective of the facial recognition aspect is to support operators in areas such as the search for missing and vulnerable individuals. PoE switches for providing power The superior image quality of the new system is borne out in figures which show an increase in ‘actionable’ images from 5% with the previous system to 60% successful reviews with the new one. Dahua PoE switches were also installed to provide power to the cameras, which are then connected to a layer-2 network. A new video wall comprising ten Dahua DHL49-4K LED backlit 49-inch 4K Ultra HD video wall display units featuring industrial level wide-viewing LCD panels, was fitted into a newly refurbished control room in City Hall and connected to i-Comply wonderwall video display drivers. This is a great collaboration of key project partners that have a tried-and-tested pedigree and working relationship with Videcom Security" Supplied through authorised distributor Mayflex, the entire system was installed by public space CCTV specialists Videcom Security, which worked with other partners to provide a high-performance, efficient and feature-rich system. Cost-effective and reliable equipment Bill Mead, Managing Director at Videcom Security, said that working largely with Dahua video equipment meant it was easier for engineers in terms of configuration, as well as being cost-effective and representing good value for money. “Working with the Dahua product range has been great. The products have proved to be reliable and we experienced very few problems, from the initial configuration through to installation and commissioning. “This is a great collaboration of key project partners that have a tried-and-tested pedigree and working relationship with Videcom Security. We broke new ground with the development of 4K H.265 decoding, the support through Luxriot for camera-side analytics and edge recording, and the development by Dahua of camera-to-camera communication, allowing for non-connected systems to communicate locally.” Infinet 5GHz and Siklu E and V band radios Videcom Security is a certified Dahua Integration Partner, training for which was delivered both by Dahua and the Mayflex Academy Dahua is a solution provider in the global video surveillance industry and associated technology and has a keen focus on innovation by investing heavily in research and development. For the Lincoln city scheme, its products were selected based on their performance and cost-effectiveness to meet project budgets. Videcom Security is a certified Dahua Integration Partner, training for which was delivered both by Dahua and the Mayflex Academy. This helped Videcom negotiate key firmware enhancements, which added to many of the analytical features available in each of the cameras. The wireless network is built with Infinet 5GHz and Siklu E and V band radios. Resilience and diverse routing has been built into the network design, which supports video surveillance as well as public Wi-Fi and capacity for smart city services. Luxriot have worked closely with Dahua, supplying their Evo Global video management system and supporting edge analytics integration through their ‘events and actions’ management, which has also been integrated through to i-Comply’s VTAS CRVMS software (now rebranded as Viewscape). Real-time control and video streaming The Dahua system implemented by Videcom Security provides the main elements of our tier-1 solution" The introduction of H.265 compression was ground-breaking for such a project, with the system capable of displaying 4MP and 6MP H.265 to the operator’s spot monitor with real-time control and video streaming. “The Dahua system implemented by Videcom Security provides the main elements of our tier-1 solution,” said Martin Byrne, CCTV Team leader at Lincoln City Council. “The police are extremely pleased with the system and we’ve had very positive feedback from them. “There is really no comparison from how we operated previously to how we can now. It revolutionises how we manage the CCTV systems and data. The potential for what we can achieve going forward is remarkable. We have now started to get real results from the investment in analytics; in particular vehicle and people-counting has been deployed and data is used to enhance other city projects.” Martin added: “Dahua has taken time out to visit and discuss with us our ambitions for smart city services. We have adopted Dahua as our brand of choice for CCTV cameras and have so far been very pleased and impressed with their reliability, low-light performance and overall image quality.”

A video surveillance system installed by Daemon Fire & Security, based on an AMG Systems-supplied Ethernet switch network, is helping to protect the UK’s first new inland rail freight hub for over a decade: iPort Rail. The iPort project near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, offers 6 million square feet of space across 337 acres. The massive park is already home to enormous distribution facilities for companies like Amazon, CEVA, Fellowes and Lidl, and its occupancy is set to expand in the coming years. The newly developed iPort Rail terminal, located on its own 30-acre site within iPort, is connected to the electrified East Coast Main Line via the South Yorkshire Joint Line. It offers integrated access to iPort, meaning occupiers can directly approach the rail terminal using their own specialist vehicles on the facility’s private roads. Implementing video surveillance system The cameras we are using are from Bosch, and they are monitored and recorded using the Bosch Video Management System"The terminal can handle up to six trains a day, operating 24-hours, six days a week. Each train can be the maximum UK length of 775m. iPort Rail has an 800m reception siding and two 400m handling sidings, with storage capacity for 1,500 shipping containers. With iPort Rail playing such a crucial role in developer Verdion’s iPort transportation strategy, there was a pressing need to ensure that the terminal has effective ongoing video monitoring. Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd was responsible for the work on iPort Rail, and they worked with CCTV specialist Daemon Fire & Security to implement the video surveillance system for the perimeter of the terminal. Chris Tattersall, Technical Director at Daemon, said the system runs on a redundant fibre optic network. “AMG Systems assisted us with the fibre optic network design.” Tattersall said. “The cameras we are using are from Bosch, and they are monitored and recorded using the Bosch Video Management System. The cameras are on towers from Altron, and the networking is from AMG.” Cameras for intrusion detection The cameras utilise Bosch analytics, monitoring the perimeter fence for people approaching and trying to climb over or cut through"There are 32 cameras mounted on 18 towers around the rail terminal site perimeter. Tattersall explained that the cameras are primarily used as detectors to monitor for trespass or intrusion. “The cameras utilise Bosch analytics, monitoring the perimeter fence for people approaching and trying to climb over or cut through,” he said. “The cameras are monitored live by the 24-hour security team in the site gatehouse. The system is networked using equipment and expertise from AMG Systems. Daemon and AMG designed a failsafe fibre optic ring system together,” Tattersall said. “From the gatehouse there’s a fibre optic cable which goes and loops around every camera tower and goes back to the gatehouse,” he said. “It’s a redundant ring, so if they get a fault or deliberate cut, everything will carry on working. We’re using industrial PoE Ethernet switches in the towers so they can withstand low temperatures, which is particularly important during cold winters in a relatively open site like this.” Operative in extreme temperatures The industrial managed switches are able to operate in temperatures ranging from -40 deg C to 75 deg CThe industrial managed switches, 20 of which were used in this project, are able to operate in temperatures ranging from -40 deg C to 75 deg C and are designed for medium to large network environments to strengthen network connections. AMG Business Development Director Sara Fisher said AMG was thrilled to be involved in this project. “We were delighted to be asked by Daemon to contribute our design and product expertise to help protect this important and growing freight hub,” she said. Daemon’s video surveillance project took around 10 weeks in total, including implementation and commissioning. It was handed over on time and installed on target. Tattersall said the smooth running of the project could be put down to Daemon’s good working relationship with contractor Buckingham, distributor Pro-Vision, networking and transmission expert AMG Systems, and product suppliers Bosch and Altron.

From 2019, Airbus will embark on the modernisation of the PMR (Professional Mobile Radio) network of the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) public transport company. By 2020, the PMR provider will have overhauled the network infrastructure and converted the system to Internet protocol (IP). Airbus has also concluded a service agreement with the BVG until 2025. Airbus will provide the Berlin-based company with advice and support over the course of the modernisation process. The entire contractual package also comprises, alongside the technical retrofitting, the supply of the latest technology, such as an IP-based switch and an in-service maintenance and service provision. Communicate more securely The partners have also agreed to the possibility of progressively expanding the network with other base stations and to run these using the simulcast technology. Simulcast, also called Single Frequency Network, allows all base stations to transmit on the same frequency. This means that signals can be propagated very well over large areas. With the upgraded Tetrapol network, drivers and the control centre will be able to react more efficiently to all kinds of situations Since the network was rolled out in 2001, Airbus has partnered with BVG and, with its modern radio technology, it will make a further important contribution to the efficient running of Berlin's bus traffic. With the upgraded Tetrapol network, drivers and the control centre will be able to react more efficiently to all kinds of situations and to communicate more securely. Safe transport system The modernisation also implies an increase in the system’s capacity so that it can transmit even greater volumes of data. For approximately 2,100 radio users at the BVG, the Tetrapol network was made even more robust and user-friendly. A total of around 14,600 people work for the BVG and its subsidiaries to provide an environmentally friendly, reliable and safe transport system for more than a billion travellers each year. To coordinate the complex bus traffic in Berlin, the company built the Airbus Tetrapol network around nine base stations. Buses run on more than 150 lines over a catchment area of approximately 1000 km². The BVG also operates night buses on more than 60 lines, along with 22 tramway lines.

A Japan based technological enterprise is working towards the formation of a technology corporate group. The company’s technologically advanced products include a diverse range of products that are used on land, sea, air and even space. The company offers a range of environmental and recycling plants, industrial plants to automobile and infrastructure equipment. And at every step, Kawasaki pays the utmost attention to humankind and the environment. This century old company has been able to establish a firm foundation as a technological enterprise. The company’s automobile division, which makes it one of the pioneer automobile companies, is spread on a global scale. Crystal clear images They also wanted to monitor how the employees interacted with customers, cleanliness of the premises The company having franchise stores operated by respective owners in India was concerned about the consistency in branding and customer service across these stores. They wanted a solution that could enable them to view the stores from a central location, specially the front end where their premium vehicles were displayed. They also wanted to monitor how the employees interacted with customers, cleanliness of the premises, whether the products were displayed in the right order, branding in the store and other process compliances. But at the same time, they did not want to invest in recorders as the numbers of cameras at individual locations were very limited. Matrix installed high resolution IP cameras at each store. These cameras provided crystal clear images of every corner of the store. This enabled the company to monitor every aspect of brand management such as order of vehicles, customer service, cleanliness, behaviour of employees, etc. Geographically separated locations A Matrix NVR was placed at the central location, and all the cameras from different locations were connected to itCameras were installed at each location based on the requirement and connected to a network switch with the help of CAT6 cables. Since there was a private connectivity between all the geographically separated locations of the company, all cameras at various locations were configured locally with VPN functionality (same class of IP address), and were viewed at a central location without port forwarding. A Matrix NVR was placed at the central location, and all the cameras from different locations were connected to it. This allowed streams from all twelve locations to be viewed on a single screen. In this way, Matrix helped the automobile giant maintain process compliance in its stores throughout the country. Centralised Control Better Brand Management Elimination of Compliance Check Costs Enhanced Security Employee Discipline Matrix products used: SATATYA CIBR13FL40CW: 1.3MP IP BULLET CAMERA SATATYA CIDR13FL40CW: 1.3MP IP DOME CAMERA SATATYA NVR24P: 24-CHANNEL NETWORK VIDEO RECORDER WITH 6TB STORAGE SUPPORT

IP network dependability matters in physical security and safety applications, given that a company’s assets and people are at risk. There have been strides in the areas of network dependability, fault-tolerance, reliability, and survivability. However, networks (or affordable ones, at any rate) still cannot ensure near-100 percent uptime, which is why system designers acknowledge and plan for the possibility of a network outage. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can/should an IP networked system adapt when network connectivity is lost?