infoTECH Feature

January 28, 2009

Cisco and HP Complete Modernization of Aeroport de Quebec

By Vivek Naik
Cisco and HP jointly announced the completion of their efforts to modernize Québec City's Jean Lesage International Airport (Aéroport de Québec). Cisco provided the Cisco Network Infrastructure, Cisco Mobility and Unified Communications (News - Alert), while HP integrated all the systems together and will continue to support the combined effort. Collaborative efforts are one of the new appeals revealed at CES (News - Alert) 2009, and are considered critical in obtaining orders and for business success.
The effort was a part of Quebec City’s overall infrastructural upgrading initiated in summer 2008 to celebrate its 400th year of existence, and to ensure that visitors and tourists feel comfortable.
The Canadian Government recognized that Quebec City and its surroundings are major sourcesof revenue, in terms of tourism, since it has a rich history, vibrant multi-cultural activities, the Quebec Winter Carnival, ancient buildings in classical French Renaissance architecture in Old Quebec, the famous feast and celebrations of St. John the Baptist, the world-class Jardin Zoological and Botanical zone, and the renowned Parc Aquarium du Quebec featuring 10,000 live specimens of different forms of life.
Cisco (News - Alert) and HP faced numerous challenges at the airport. Coordination between an 85-member staff to handle over 400 flights a years and more than one million visitors required a technology overhaul. The companies also had to work around the reconstruction of the main terminal.
Initial talks started in June 2007. The first important point was the implementation of total Wi-Fi by June 2008. The companies were asked to eventually deliver a single, unified, integrated, extensible, and automated communications platform to enrich airline service.
The wireless network solution is based on 802.11 standards, transmits runway surface conditions every twelfth of an hour, provides wireless Transmission Control Protocol /Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) wireless phones for all services staff, wireless access for guests to go online and access their own Virtual Private Network (VPN), and reduces the space required for equipment handling platforms. It also users RFID for baggage tracking, and permits cost-saving multiplexing even for physical space.
In the near future, it will also monitor vehicular activity with tracking units installed in automobiles. For example, it will show which snow blower is removing snow, how much snow is being removed and it will be extended to cover different locations. It consists of 100 Cisco 802.11n access points, two 6500 Wireless Service modules, two Wireless Control systems, and is installed both indoors and outdoors.
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is Fixed Service Strategies for Mobile Network Operators, brought to you by Comverse (News - Alert).
 

Vivek Naik is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Vivek's articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Michelle Robart
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