MSC | April 12th, 2010 - 11:04 AM
Robust Wide Area Water District Network
A North County San Diego water district stretching from the Pacific coast to inland wanted to enhance its existing communications infrastructure to support user growth and network-based process control devices.
The district asked Metric Systems Corporation to analyze their current communications infrastructure and develop a staged deployment plan.
The network design had to meet the following criteria:
- No single communications fault could affect more than one remote site
- Infrastructure must support Ethernet/IP and legacy proprietary serial interfaces – in this case, ModBus
- Infrastructure must minimally impact existing UHF and VHF licensed SCADA networks
- Existing licensed system traffic must be supported by new infrastructure
Key features of the system include:
- Redundant broadband backbone ring
- Adaptation to various geographical topologies
- Concurrent support for Ethernet/IP and proprietary serial protocols
- Network-based concept allows quick and easy system maintenance and network evolution
- Full support for peer-to-peer, VPN, multicast and broadcast traffic
- Full online network monitoring, status and configuration
- Provides transport for VoIP and video services

[...] Robert (Bob) L. Davis Senior Electrical/Electronic Technician San Diego County Water Authority, California [...]