Leading American Mining Company Upgrades to a Rock Solid Network
A leading American industrial enterprise modernized its network to support 24/7 operations across a large-scale facility. Working with NETGEAR Enterprise and its trusted MSP, the organization deployed a high-availability switching and WiFi solution with centralized management. The result is a reliable, cost-effective network designed to perform in demanding industrial environments.
Written By:
NETGEAR Enterprise
Summary
A 300,000-square-foot processing plant in North Carolina is home to one of the world’s largest producers of magnesium products. The speed and efficiency of the plant depend on network technology that delivers 24/7 high-performance reliability and flexible, seamless wireless connectivity across a diverse volume of devices and users. Working with NETGEAR Enterprise, IS Technology has met these needs with a network solution that also delivers ease of use, cost efficiencies, and the confidence that NETGEAR support is always on hand.
Based on a combination of managed and smart-managed switches, wireless access points, and NETGEAR Insight, this project is an example of how, when MSPs and vendors collaborate closely, they can meet a customer’s expectations while meeting tight deadlines.
Background
Based on a combination of managed and smart-managed switches, wireless access points, and NETGEAR Insight, this project is an example of how, when MSPs and vendors collaborate closely, they can meet a customer’s expectations while meeting tight deadlines.
The Challenge
So, it is no surprise that enterprise-grade network technology capable of supporting hundreds of endpoints and users simultaneously in demanding, round-the-clock environments is a necessity. Specific requirements include a seamless wireless experience across the site and built-in redundancy for business continuity.
Always looking for ways to improve network efficiency and cost benefits, in early 2024, this leading manufacturer turned to its existing partner, IS Technology, to advise on upgrading the wireless network and switch infrastructure. Based in Fletcher, North Carolina, IS Technology has a long track record of supporting customers across the USA with services including managed IT, cybersecurity, VoIP, and unified communications.
The brief was a network solution that provides:
- Value-for-money
- Reliability and performance
- Redundancy planning
- Ease of use
- All backed by fast, efficient support.
The Solution
IS Technology responded with a design proposal based on NETGEAR Enterprise products. Nathan Thorgrimson, Lead IT Systems Engineer at IS Technology, takes up the story, “We already had extensive experience with NETGEAR’s business-class products; I’ve personally deployed them to about 50 companies, and it’s always been a smooth deployment. Also, NETGEAR gives our enterprise customers competitive quality at significantly reduced costs.”
A couple of additional factors that tipped the final decision in NETGEAR’s favor are its next-day replacement shipping and superior support. Says Nathan, “Support infrastructure is the most important part of any enterprise hardware supplier relationship, and NETGEAR’s is top-line.”
Site Survey
Before finalizing design and installation plans, IS Technology and NETGEAR conducted a wireless site survey, a necessity in Nathan’s opinion. “In a site like this, there are various elements like metal objects that can degrade a signal. The survey was critical to identify where more coverage or signal strength was needed.”
NETGEAR offers detailed free remote site surveys as a standard service, but this occasion turned into a creative collaboration with IS Technology. Says Nathan, “A colleague and I went on site with a couple of WAX630 access points mounted on poles, with battery packs in our backpacks tied to inverters and connected locally to a laptop.” At the same time, a NETGEAR engineer was conducting a virtual survey remotely. Their results matched closely, so the two teams together had mapped out the best location for all access points.
Final Design
The final solution consists of combination of managed solutions; NETGEAR M4300 and M4250 network switches, MS510 smart managed switches, and WAX630 wireless access points. The solution also includes NETGEAR Insight, which provides centralized remote network management for access points, including installation, monitoring, configuration, and troubleshooting.
Comments Nathan, “Insight is easier to use than other cloud-management solutions, without adding unnecessary complexity.” The network switches are monitored using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), which, together with Insight for the wireless side, “allows us to take the heartbeat of these network assets.”
Comments Nathan, “Insight is easier to use than other cloud-management solutions, without adding unnecessary complexity.” The network switches are monitored using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), which, together with Insight for the wireless side, “allows us to take the heartbeat of these network assets.”
- Upgrade from 1Gb to 10Gb – through NETGEAR 10G and multi-gig switches
- Redundancy across all switches – if one goes down, the data is rerouted to another, ensuring high availability
- Switches with high-temperature thresholds – NETGEAR M4250 and M4300 switches can withstand both the heat of the desert and being encased in NEMA cabinets for protection
- Prevention of conflicting wireless signals – NETGEAR’s channel-optimization feature ensures that access points are configured to always select the cleanest channel
Seamless handover between access points – which communicate with each other for a seamless experience in a very active environment.
Deployment and Support
Deployment began with the LAN infrastructure, replacing legacy switching hardware with modern NETGEAR platforms. The WiFi cutover was the most time-sensitive phase, requiring the complete replacement of the existing wireless environment within a 15-hour maintenance window.
“The deployment required overnight work, with NETGEAR engineers providing real-time support throughout the process. That level of engagement is something we don’t often see. When issues arose, NETGEAR’s team worked side-by-side with us to resolve them quickly.”
Results
The upgraded network has delivered the performance, reliability, and resilience required for continuous industrial operations.
“The solution has performed exactly as designed. Both we and the customer are extremely satisfied with the results. And when support has been needed, NETGEAR’s responsiveness has been outstanding.”
NETGEAR Insight enables proactive management of the wireless environment, allowing IS Technology to identify and resolve issues in real time while continuously optimizing performance.
“For industrial organizations operating 24/7, network reliability is non-negotiable. This project delivered a high-performance, cost-effective, and easy-to-manage solution. And we know that NETGEAR stands behind both the technology and the partnership.”
Box-Out
WAX-630 = 112
GS724Tv4 = 2
M4300-8X8F = 2
M4300-12X12F = 2
M4300-16X =2
M4300-12X12F = 1
M4300-52G-PoE+ = 22
M4250-26G4XF-PoE+ = 3
M4250-26G4F-PoE++ = 17
M4250-40G8XF-PoE++ = 2
M4250-10G2F-PoE+ = 2
MS510TXUP = 11
MS510TXPP = 4
GS510TPP 8-Port = 1
GS752TPP = 1
GS752TPPv3 = 1
GS728TPPv2 = 3
GS724TPP = 3
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