Ireland's Office of Public Works (OPW) has rolled out a
high-powerwireless networkat 12th
centuryKilkenny Castleto provide internet
access to staff and visitors.
The castle, home to an art gallery, conference centre, a branch
of the OPW and 60 staff, was difficult to connect internally
because it is a world heritage site. This places restrictions on
modifying the structure or appearance of the building.
"We wanted to help boost staff productivity and increase
revenues from the conference centre, where guests expected
high-speed internet connectivity," said Paul Smith, project manager
at the OPW.
The only external link to the castle was a dial-up internet
connection, which was too slow to meet the needs of those working
at the castle and using the conference centre.
"Although a wireless network was an obvious solution this also
had challenges because of the castle's thick walls and irregular
layout across six floors in three separate wings," said Smith.
The OPW contracted Dimension Network Systems to plan and roll
out the network. The network service provider used a combination of
Motorola wireless technologies of different ranges to provide
internal connectivity of 11gbps across 90% of the castle and a
20gps link to the outside world via the local OPW headquarters.
Dimension Network Systems used Motorola WS5100 switches and
Wi-Fi access points to provide unobtrusive coverage at the castle,
and Motorola high-power PTP 400 Ethernet bridges to link various
parts of the site, as well as provide long-range external
connectivity.
"The wireless access points were easily hidden from view and
installation was completed in four days without disrupting guided
tours of the castle," said Smith.