File Access

Taking advantage of a communications technology that some analysts predict will see record declines this quarter, officials in California’s capital city say they’re keeping traffic running smoothly with a specific type of Ethernet solution.

 

Sacramento reportedly used IP-based technology from Actelis Networks to install Ethernet-over-copper solutions to support traffic controllers and cameras – improving road safety and reducing traffic congestion.

 

According to Ryan Billeci, a telecommunications engineer for the city, Sacramento opted for Actelis (News - Alert) because it’s a leader in the Ethernet-over-copper space.

 

“The choice was made because of the proven robustness of the Actelis solution, and because the hardened switch is able to operate in harsh environments,” Billeci said. “Equally as important was the ability of the Actelis products to exceed our performance requirements, which provides us long-term investment protection by creating extremely reliable and much higher bit rate pipes.”

 

With the products, Sacramento leveraged its existing copper infrastructure and delivered fiber-like performance across a vast network – a major plus for any IP-based system in this slower economy, as the old “rip and replace” model quickly becomes cost-prohibitive.

 

The recession is a major reason why analysts at a Redwood City, California-based IT research firm today are calling for the Ethernet switch market to see its largest-ever drop.

 

As TMCnet reported, officials at Dell’ (News - Alert)Oro Group say that the market will decline more than 10 percent during the first three months of 2009, losing more than $1 billion in its quarterly run rate.

 

According to Alan Weckel, director at Dell’Oro, although it’s the most significant first quarter forecasted decline in Ethernet switch history, the first quarter typically is seasonally weak.

 

“Businesses are canceling or delaying projects and distributors are lowering inventory levels,” Weckel said. “In addition, deteriorating macroeconomic conditions have coincided with what is usually the market’s weakest quarter of the year, exacerbating the decline in the first quarter of this year.”

 

That may be – yet, as TMCnet reported, one company – Littleton, Colorado-based tw telecom inc., a managed network services provider – has bolstered its next-generation network by adding a series of Ethernet access switches from the world’s largest maker of computer networking gear.

 

Officials at tw telecom say so-called “ME 3400 Series Switches“ from San Jose, California-based Cisco Systems Inc. are improving the flexibility, reliability and security of their integrated, converged services.

 

Officials at Actelis say their so-called “Traffic/ITS” solution delivered the necessary bandwidth over Sacramento’s outdoor copper infrastructure, just as traditional Ethernet solutions can do within a building.

 

According to Eric Vallone, vice president of marketing at Actelis, for cities like Sacramento, that’s a huge advantage, because it means they can leverage the investment in their copper infrastructure to extend their existing Ethernet LAN across the whole district of jurisdiction.

 

Specifically, connected to Actelis’ intelligent Ethernet access products, Sacramento’s new IP-based cameras now are making a significant difference to citizens in the area even if they are not directly aware. For example, if a traffic signal fails, technicians at the City of Sacramento’s Traffic Operations Center are now notified much faster, making repairs quicker and more cost effective.

 

According to Shad Bennett, head of traffic engineering and operations for Sacramento, the systems are going to be invisible to the public.

 

“It’s all about efficiency and detection. Technicians can now tune the timing of the signals in response to changing conditions in order to optimize traffic flow and minimize congestion,” Bennett said. “The system’s sophisticated monitoring and control capabilities are also attracting interest of other agencies within the district.”