FEATURE FIRE & SECURITY
Building security systems lock down uptime T
oday’s building security is more sophisticated. Large central security
systems collect data from devices located across facilities: video, access control, temperature alerts, and building management data. Software analyses metadata to recognise faces, detect noise or temperature anomalies, and warn of unusual data patterns. The security system can even control elevators, fire doors, and building egress in real time. System uptime is more important than
ever. Imagine if White House security systems were down when one of the recent fence-jumpers breached the grounds. A mere minute or two would be enough to create havoc, perhaps tragedy. For similar reasons, utilities, communications, and other infrastructure operations are now regulated by Homeland Security or other governmental interests. There are several ways to achieve high
availability. The majority rely on redundancy. If one server fails, a second takes its place. In older redundant architectures, this happens by activating a physical or virtual standby server, then recreating the previous environment and resuming operations. Unfortunately, this method relies on a failure to trigger recovery; hence uptime is always lost. Also, because of the
Large central security systems collect data from devices located across facilities
complexity of the setup, IT staff must regularly audit and update the failover process to ensure that it will continue to work when needed. Newer, more simple solutions build
redundancy ‘under the hood.’ These systems are designed so that the system, storage, and application act like a single machine, but inside, everything is replicated seamlessly, including CPU, memory, and network interfaces. Now if any element fails, other components are already functioning live to continue operation without pause or panic. Stratus, for example, offer an ‘always-
on’ systems built with software and virtual servers, achieving the 99.999 per cent uptime as earlier hardware-based methods. There are two great virtues of
the software approach. First, the design retains its utter simplicity. Windows, applications, network, and devices treat the system as a single standard server. This reduces IT intervention during system updates. Second, because the virtual servers can reside on any Intel- based commodity server, you can create and expand using cost-efficient components. McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas manages its physical security system on a Stratus everRun solution. With a virtualised server environment, IT staff split the data centre between two locations, nearly a mile apart, for instantaneous redundancy. In this heavily regulated industry, the airport has not had a single unplanned downtime incident in the first seven years of operation, avoiding TSA fines and adverse publicity. For building security system
integrators, this level of uptime brings a tangible advantage to customers. Panic calls due to component failure are eliminated. A new tier of availability can be offered. Service contracts are fulfilled more efficiently for customer and provider alike, and ultimately customers are more satisfied with the high reliability of the system.
Stratus
www.stratus.com
ersistent attempts to break into a much used and valued social club, as well several incidents of damage to the wall of the car park, has left members of Nork Park Social Club in Banstead frustrated and out of pocket. With all the incidents occurring under cover of
ESP CAMERAS INSTALLED IN NORK PARK SOCIAL CLUB P
darkness, the original CCTV system was proving inadequate. It did not cover all the required areas of the premises and surrounding land and it was not providing images of sufficient quality to read car number plates or help identify the perpetrators. When the committee agreed it would be more cost-effective to upgrade the system, than continuing to spend money on costly repairs, they turned to one of their members, Tony Cable - former events and marketing engineer with NICEIC and ELECSA - for advice on the best equipment to go for on their budget. Cable recommended ESP and after a consultation about the requirements, they were advised to install the HDView Sixteen Channel Full HD 2TB DVR, replacing the poor quality cameras with new ones, increasing the number of cameras from six to 10, in order to maximise coverage of the entire premises, surrounding grounds and car park. The HDView Sixteen Channel Full HD DVR is a
22 MAY 2018 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
weather protection. Four dome cameras have been positioned inside the club house. The white cameras feature 3.6mm Fixed Lens, HD 2MP AHD sensors, with built in 10m infrared LED illumination. Another of the club members - NICEIC Approved Contractor, Glen Dunkin – has undertaken a number of jobs for the club and was on hand once more to carry out the full installation. He comments: “I have installed CCTV systems before but this
high definition digital video recorder that provides superior quality live images and recorded footage. This is essential for any CCTV system installation. It is networkable for remote viewing from a PC or Smartphone or tablet – a great feature that allows the club to keep round the clock surveillance on the premises. The six new bullet cameras installed outside are 3.6mm fixed lens cameras, with high definition 2MP AHD sensors and built-in 20m Infrared LED Illumination. The housings are IP66 rated for
was by far the easiest system to work with and set up, the pictures were very clear and of excellent quality. Installing the HDView system was really straightforward and because we had use of one of ESP’s LED CCTV monitors, it made the whole task much simpler. It meant I could set up each camera as I installed them thus saving a lot of setting up time. The quality of images and footage is amazing and we now have all the areas we need covered. Because the system can be remotely accessed and viewed, it provides peace of mind that everything possible has been done to maximise the protection of the club premises and should certainly anyone thinking of targeting us in the future.”
www.espuk.com
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