Related Prepare: Simplifying the onboard community

Within the first weblog on this weblog sequence I shared that passenger volumes for city railways, automated folks movers (APMs), and different types of mass transit proceed to develop. To fulfill growing demand whereas assembly security, passenger expertise, and operational effectivity targets, rail operators are ramping up investments in modern expertise options.

One of the essential is Communications-Primarily based Prepare Management (CBTC). Within the easiest of phrases, CBTC places passenger rail on “auto-pilot.” This excessive stage of automation provides important advantages for rail operators and their passengers. However CBTC additionally introduces new networking challenges, together with the necessity for a less complicated but extra highly effective community on board every practice automobile.

With the transfer to CBTC, rail operators are taking a contemporary have a look at their onboard practice community, implementing a multiservice basis that shifts from disjointed proprietary networks to a standard IP community.

At Cisco, we’ve constructed a community structure that each strengthens and simplifies the onboard practice community. As a part of Cisco’s Related Prepare answer, we offer a resilient infrastructure able to supporting quite a few companies and use instances. Whether or not supporting very important purposes comparable to CBTC, or non-vital purposes comparable to passenger WiFi, CCTV, infotainment, digital signage and point-of-sale programs, the Cisco Related Prepare onboard community gives the wanted bandwidth, reliability, and safety.

A linchpin of our structure is the Cisco Catalyst IE3400 Rugged Sequence. This next-generation, IP67-rated switching platform is designed to supply enhanced network-based safety, segmentation, and visibility in essentially the most demanding environments. It may well stand as much as the tough circumstances rail operators typically face comparable to heavy vibration, excessive climate, publicity to water and mud. Moreover, it’s compliant with the stringent onboard rail business requirements.

Along with bodily sturdiness, cyber safety is one other space of power for the IE3400 switches. As a result of they’re powered by Cisco IOS XE, a next-generation working system, safety, and belief are in-built by way of Safe Boot, picture signing, and the Cisco Belief Anchor module.

The Cisco Catalyst IW9167 Sequence entry level is one other key participant in our onboard community structure. This entry level gives dependable wi-fi connectivity for mission-critical purposes on board rail vehicles. It may well function as Wi-Fi 6 or Cisco Extremely-Dependable Wi-fi Backhaul – providing flexibility and mobility to accommodate evolving wants.

When operating in Wi-Fi mode, it gives Wi-Fi connectivity to rail personnel and passengers inside the practice. When connectivity supplied from Cisco IW9167E (CURWB) or Cisco FM4500 wi-fi radio, it delivers fiber-like train-to-ground communication for each very important and nonvital purposes. In both mode, it delivers the excessive stage of bandwidth that trendy rail programs – and their Wi-Fi-dependent passengers – require.

A easy and dependable onboard community is vital to the success of CBTC programs. One other essential element is resilient and secured trackside infrastructure – a subject I’ll dive into in my subsequent submit.

Within the meantime, study extra about Cisco’s capabilities for railways, try Cisco Related Rail answer design zone.

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