< Previoushave to send meter readers to sites, there is an immediate cost benefit. But with industrial IoT, it’s much more complex than that. Perhaps it will expose some savings, maybe less machine maintenance will be required. Savings are harder to identify at the outset, therefore, large upfront investment in that kind of solution is difficult to justify under those circumstances. Rip and replace In a lot of industrial cases, the existing machinery that requires monitoring are large, complex and expensive structures. They are the ideal solution for the task at hand and for that reason, they should not necessarily be interfered with and instead be monitored in a non-invasive way. Many state-of-the-art facilities have been designed and built at the cost of billions of pounds, you can’t start ripping and replacing components because cloud-enabled technology will provide a benefit that hasn’t been quantified yet. Yet conversely, many of the IoT solutions out there from the major players in the market depend on being built in from the start – a concept that could result in significant business disruption and downtime. Skill set The skill set that is required to manage these types of complex setups is also a significant hurdle for many organisations. A high proportion of IoT customers in manufacturing are not necessarily IT-savvy in the way that traditional database users are. So with many providers requiring someone with the skills to effectively exploit these platforms, this is an issue that is damaging the chances of adoption in that sector. Can a business really afford to hire a dedicated IoT professional? How can they support the business in other ways outside of that role so they add as much value as possible? In reality, businesses need a way to get data out of the IoT devices without the complex ecosystem that surrounds them, through a streamlined platform that only needs a browser to access. Infrastructure Another stumbling block for many IoT projects is where the infrastructure isn’t developed if the location is in an inconvenient place without reliable WiFi – the only clouds available are the ones floating in the sky. In this case, having an IoT solution that collects all the data, analyses it at the point of collection and enables rapid and reliable visibility of what’s going on can make all the difference and is a much more pragmatic solution, both in large factories and distant locations. That's the difference between the original vision of IoT and what it actually is in practice. IoT at the Edge The vision of IoT and the actual reality are very different. A yes or no response from a sensor is not the same as figuring out whether a complex piece of machinery is acting as it should and to optimum efficiency levels. It’s not just about the opportunity to collect data but also to have the capability to modify that data collection, to add additional sensors to expand the data gathered even further. For example, it could be that the solution is monitoring temperature and speed, but actually, you also need to measure vibration. Another sensor is therefore required, so you need a platform that’s adaptable and scalable. In the current industrial sector environment, you need to be flexible and ready to change in scale, both in terms of the size and complexity of the data that is being gathered. With the concept of edge computing and analysing data where it is created, fast gaining momentum, organisations are discovering how they can quickly access only the most valuable data, in real-time, which will prove mission-critical to their business. Coming back to the smart meter example – this type of IoT deployment involves millions of identical devices with the same data and a single purpose. It’s still an investment, but the principle is simply connecting multiple homogeneous devices together. This is unlike today’s industrial environment, where there could be a handful or even tens of thousands of different devices, all doing slightly different tasks in different ways. This specialised equipment, therefore, requires an IoT edge solution that can accurately translate, measure and analyse different formats of data in compatible and comparable data formats as it arrives, without having to rip and replace internal electronics of the machinery being measured. Edge computing enables data processing to be performed on the edge nodes prior to transmitting only the aggregated data to the central server. So instead of transmitting huge volumes of data every minute, this could be reduced to just a couple of messages every five minutes, depending on what is being measured and for what purpose. This results in a massive reduction in bandwidth and means that using the cellular network becomes cost-effective, thereby You can’t start ripping and replacing components because cloud-enabled technology will provide a benefit that hasn’t been quantified yet. the edge www.networkseuropemagazine.com 20reducing infrastructure costs and creating a quicker return on investment and value. For businesses looking to get started in IoT, the edge negates the need for a massively complex and costly deployment. Instead, it provides a simple entry capability to quickly get a project up and running, to provide data points and rapid insight into how a business can capitalise further with a data-led strategy – all at a reasonable price point. Conclusion While the vast capabilities of IoT deployments are widely publicised, many businesses are unfamiliar with the availability of simple, affordable entry IoT capabilities to provide data analysis down at the edge, where only the most valuable data collected will be shared and in real-time, making the process more cost-effective to the business. The big business solutions touted by the likes of AWS and Microsoft have their place, but for the majority of businesses without the huge use cases to warrant the dedicated attention and support from the major players, they will be left to their own devices to achieve their desired value. Instead, a small scale solution that incorporates big data, edge and IoT within a small footprint will actually have a significant impact – and one which is also easily scalable without having to overhaul existing infrastructure. n For businesses looking to get started in IoT, the edge negates the need for a massively complex and costly deployment. the edge www.networkseuropemagazine.com 21Dominic Ross Technical Manager UK & Ireland Siemon Protecting critical connections in harsh environments critical connections www.networkseuropemagazine.com 22rsh In the data centre, the focus has long been on cabling solutions that support ultra-high densities and faster data transmission, while in the LAN and intelligent buildings, it is all about network convergence and deploying a unified cabling system that supports multiple building systems and devices. A closer look at the industrial market reveals a strong focus on single-pair Ethernet to support the IIoT. But what about the environments that fall in between? critical connections www.networkseuropemagazine.com 23The growth in digital information and adoption of Ethernet networks and IP-based devices means that connections to networks exist in more places than ever before. Consequently, enterprise businesses are required to expand their networks into environments that in the past would have gone without network connections and wireless service. These places often fall in between what is typically classified as ‘commercial office’ and ‘industrial’ environment - not quite severe enough to be considered fully ‘industrial’, but in need of something more rugged than what exists in everyday commercial offices. This is because cables and connectivity in these ‘harsher’ environments may be subject to increased levels of vibration and shock, ingress of particulates and liquids, temperature extremes and humidity, chemical pollutants as well as electromagnetic interference (EMI). Harsher environments are everywhere Universities, primary/secondary education schools, and medical laboratories for example, require protection against chemicals, gases and other contaminants, as well as vibration protection for some equipment. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are susceptible to EMI from medical equipment and typically require shielded cabling and connectivity. Restaurants, commercial kitchens and cafeterias need network components that are protected from cooking heat, dust and liquids ingress, oils and cleaning solvents. Resorts, stadiums and theme parks are subject to sunlight, temperature extremes, humidity, dust and rainwater. Consequently, there is an increased risk of cables and connectivity getting damaged and network performance inhibited. Temperature extremes for example can soften and break down plastics used in connector housings and cable jacketing materials. Liquids, moisture or chemicals infiltrating network connections can cause the corrosion of plug and outlet contacts. Dust infiltrating network connections can create poor contact, overheating or arcing that damages plug and jack contacts. With network connections appearing more frequently in these harsher environments today, what must network managers, designers and installers look out for in cables and connectivity to maintain long-term network reliability? When installing networks in these environments, specific industry standards and industry-based ratings can provide guidance. MICE protection ISO/IEC and TIA and industry standards for industrial premises incorporate the MICE method for classifying environments in which networks reside. MICE stands for Mechanical, Ingress, Climatic, and Electromagnetic and includes three levels of severity: Level 1 for commercial/ office, Level 2 for light industrial and Level 3 for industrial. It’s important to note that rarely is an environment exclusive to one MICE classification. For example, an environment exposed to liquid-only may be classified as M1I3C1E1. When planning cabling systems, it is recommended to consider the worst-case scenario and applicable level parameters, regardless of the other parameters in scope. Ingress Protection (IP) Another standards-based rating to consider for harsh environments is the ingress protection (IP) ratings developed by the European Committee for Electro Technical Standardization (CENELEC). The first digit following the letters IP classifies protection against solids (ie dust) and the second digit classifies protection against liquids (ie water). An IP rating of IP22 for example would indicate protection against finger-size objects and vertically dripping water. A common IP rating for network components in wet environments is IP67, which indicates total protection against dust and liquid ingress. Cable and connectivity for harsher environments When it comes to selecting ruggedised cable and connectivity for harsher environments it is important to look out for specific components and characteristics to ensure maximum protection, including: • Chemical-resistant thermoplastic housing on connectivity — Plugs and outlets should use materials that provide the widest range of protection from most solvents and common industrial chemicals. • Dust caps for outlets — Ruggedised dust caps can protect unused outlets and seal outlets during wash downs. • IP67-rated copper and fibre connectivity — Ruggedised outlets and modular patch cords with an IP66/IP67-rated seal protect plugs and outlet contacts from dust and moisture. • More durable cable jacket materials — Jacket materials such as polyurethane and thermoplastic elastomers can provide better tensile strength and lower temperature flexibility and brittle points, as well as better tear, abrasion, chemical and moisture resistance. • IP44-rated faceplates — Stainless steel faceplates with rear sealing gaskets provide a protective seal from moisture and debris. Cables and connectivity in ‘harsh' environments may be subject to vibration and shock, ingress of particulates and liquids, temperature extremes and humidity, chemical pollutants and electromagnetic interference (EMI). critical connections www.networkseuropemagazine.com 24Shielded cabling for EMI protection and Power over Ethernet applications When supporting the latest applications in challenging environments, support for remote powering technology is critical as many IP-based devices are powered via PoE over the same twisted-pair copper cabling that connects them to the network. Advanced outdoor thermal and night vision surveillance cameras, high-throughput WiFi 6/6E wireless access points, and high-efficiency LED lighting - all of which reside in unforgiving environments – are now supported by higher levels of remote power. Considering industry standards and the impact of higher- level PoE for powering capable security devices, Category 6A/ Class EA shielded cabling systems should be the minimum twisted-pair cabling system deployed for copper-based applications. Furthermore, shielded construction offers the best protection for copper cabling against EMI/RFI. Consider both worlds Both copper and fibre solutions may need to be considered, especially as more fibre is extending out of the commercial data centre and telecommunications room environment to bring higher bandwidth closer to the work area outlet or to deal with longer distance requirements. Another consideration is a breadth of copper and fibre types in a variety of performance levels. Selecting a manufacturer with ruggedised copper and fibre cable connectivity available in the same copper and fibre performance as the rest of the LAN will prevent connections in more demanding environments from having to compromise on bandwidth and performance. Partnering for success Experience goes a long way in designing for these environments. While designers that are familiar with deploying networks in industrial and harsh environments will likely know how to use MICE parameters and which product features to consider, designers and installers working in commercial environments may not. Commercial designers with limited experience in planning for cable and connectivity that extends into harsh environments would be wise to work closely with cable and connectivity manufacturers who understand the standards and specifications, offer the latest copper and fibre ruggedised components and have experience in determining the type of cable and connectivity required based on a variety of environmental factors. The demand for networks that can withstand more severe conditions is growing and ruggedised cable and connectivity solutions are available in the market for sufficient protection. However, knowledge of the industry standards is important and so is the selection of the right types of ruggedised components in order to maintain long-term network reliability. n critical connections www.networkseuropemagazine.com 25The global pandemic accelerated a network transformation that had been emerging for a long time: the transition from wired networks to wireless WANs. Similar requirements have driven the shift from Wired Ethernet LANs to WiFi. James Bristow SVP EMEA Cradlepoint Wireless WAN: Five good reasons for a wireless future wireless WAN www.networkseuropemagazine.com 26With improvements in reliability, security, distance and bandwidth, the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of WLAN trumped that of wired LAN. LTE and the emergence of 5G have had a similar effect on wired WANs – especially when integrated with and built on the capabilities of software- defined WANs (SD-WANs). SD-WAN technology creates new possibilities for enterprise networks such as consolidating multiple network functions to reduce hardware and operating costs. Support for multiple WAN links is also a significant factor as it improves reliability and enables bandwidth aggregation and traffic separation. Application recognition and policy-based routing also open new ways for network optimisation. However, as long as the resulting networks are still wired, the full benefits of the technology cannot be realised. Wireless WANs are needed to bring more diversity, flexibility and reach to enterprise networks, in turn, enabling people, locations and devices to be easily connected. Based on the intelligent SD-WAN solutions, dynamic switching between connections, disconnecting or prioritising certain wireless WAN www.networkseuropemagazine.com 27applications, or quickly opening a new business location can be easily realised. 5G also plays a key role here, in terms of low latency times and high bandwidth. From 4G LTE to 5G With affordable flat-rate options and greater bandwidth through Gigabit- Class LTE, mobile networks are an attractive alternative to conventional network infrastructure. Designed to deliver low latency, emerging 5G services offer increased performance in many ways. The faster response times enable unrestricted use of business-critical applications and help to make processes more flexible. Improved antenna and transmission technologies increase the number of devices and connections that each 5G station can process. In this way, wireless support for IoT networks and other high-density applications can be realised. As Gigabit-Class LTE is widely available and most major carriers are focusing on rolling out 5G services, highly available networks can be put into operation almost anywhere and at any time. Wireless WAN strategies Wireless WANs solve many problems for enterprise networks, open up new opportunities and lay the foundation for further transformations. Enhancing network failover As networks are the foundation for enterprise digital transformation, non-stop availability is critical. This can be achieved by setting up a multi-layer system with different types of connections – wired and wireless - which switch from one to the other without interruption. For lower bandwidth LTE links, SD-WAN policies identify and prioritise critical traffic. Using Gigabit-Class LTE and 5G connections, failover of all data traffic is feasible. Overall, deploying wireless failover capabilities is much faster and easier than installing new cables. If wired connections fail, the network management function is lost along with remote traffic. Since most fixed line disruptions occur in the last mile, secondary fixed lines often fail as well, making the remote unit unreachable. Wireless connections provide an efficient Out-of-Band Management option that connects directly to the console port of one or more remote devices. Augmenting network bandwidth A major benefit of SD-WAN is the simultaneous aggregation of multiple connections to generate greater bandwidth. Here, adding a wireless connection to the cable network or using multiple wireless connections is a powerful alternative to increase bandwidth. With LTE reaching speeds of up to 50Mbps, Gigabit LTE at up to 350Mbps, and 5G at over 1Gbps, wireless connectivity capabilities are quickly reaching or exceeding the capacity of traditional connections. wireless WAN www.networkseuropemagazine.com 28Making wireless the primary link Wireless WANs bring greater operational flexibility to diverse enterprise locations. With them, the opening or relocation of branches and offices is made a lot easier. In addition, the technology also makes sense for business scenarios where wireless networks are the only option – for example, construction sites or pop-up stores. Another application where wireless proves advantageous as the primary network connection is in building a highly redundant network with reduced operating costs. This allows companies to ensure optimal site networking with maximum network availability – all with centralised management in the cloud. Expanding IoT capabilities Many people think of IoT in terms of occasional data that has little impact on the existing network. But when it comes to smart buildings, smart cities or fully automated manufacturing, large amounts of data are generated. While these IoT scenarios may be more in the spotlight, bandwidth-intensive things like video surveillance, retail self-service kiosks and all kinds of medical, manufacturing and industrial operations are the leading use cases. For such large-scale IoT initiatives, the low latency and higher bandwidth of wireless connections are critical. Sometimes IoT devices are equipped with built-in wireless capabilities and can connect directly to a cellular or WiFi network. However, as the number of devices grows, it becomes too costly and time-consuming to manage SIM cards and wireless network subscriptions or access points. Here, organisations rely on their own private LTE or 5G networks, also known as wide-area LAN. This allows the entire IoT traffic to be bundled in a cost-controlled manner and administered more easily. Boosting business mobility Mobile support for business processes, especially in vehicles, is seen as a growing market for data connectivity as companies seek to move to paperless offices and improve data collection. Much of this is already being realised with LTE technology and 5G will open up even more new possibilities. Examples of this are data and video uploads in real-time, automated work and route adjustments and whole-vehicle connectivity. Transformation of the Network Edge Enterprise networks can no longer be defined by fixed locations. Instead, they are made up of people, vehicles, pop-up locations, kiosks, cloud services and an ever-expanding universe of IoT devices. The expansion of the network edge enables a variety of new locations, services and digital transformation initiatives. The overall impact is greater organisational agility built on the wide reach and growing capabilities of Wireless WANs. These invisible but powerful networks, based on 4G LTE and 5G technologies, provide fast, secure and flexible connectivity wherever and whenever it is needed. n wireless WAN www.networkseuropemagazine.com 29Next >