Service Provider Network Protection Offerings
Telcordia Technologies offers consulting services specifically tailored to support Service Providers on different aspects of network equipment physical protection and compatibility. While this consulting may primarily be focused on NEBS™ requirements related to fire, earthquake, shock, vibration, airborne contaminants, EMC issues and adverse temperature and humidity conditions, it can also be focused on customized Service Provider requirements. Services may include response to emergencies to address field failures, to assist the Service Provider in resolving equipment supplier concerns, or on a sustained consultation basis. Technical assistance can consist of one or more of the following elements listed below, or other Service Provider specified tasks.
- Consultation, product testing and design reviews to help determine the environmental compatibility of equipment being considered for network deployment
- Direct interaction with suppliers on behalf of Service Provider
- On-site physical protection assessment of Service Provider's central offices and other facilities
- Training of Service Provider personnel on the technical aspects and importance of NEBS requirements
Some specific examples of these services are:
- Central office audits to identify the threat to network equipment from engineering and installation deficiencies. Investigations have uncovered items such as inadequate equipment fastening, failed cable rack components and inadequate fire-stopping between rooms and floors.
- Vibration assessment and monitoring of the vibration threat caused by nearby building demolition. This included an assessment of the equipment most vulnerable to vibration and guidelines for protection against the vibration threat.
- Guidelines for retrofit bracing of equipment, battery stands and raised floors for increased earthquake resistance or for installations where above baseline protection is required
- Review of product test data and documentation to determine conformance with Telcordia Technologies NEBS™ GR-63 and GR-1089 requirements. This includes review of earthquake, fire, thermal, EMI, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), lightning, electrical safety, and grounding data from equipment suppliers or third party test laboratories.
- Development of engineering and installation guidelines for a custom-raised floor for network equipment installations. This includes the requirements for the procurement of the floor, installation guidelines for the raised floor and guidelines for the installation of the equipment.
- Root cause analysis of cable rack failures in central offices with retrofit solutions for recovery. The analysis also includes procedures for non-destructively testing ceiling anchors as part of an ongoing quality assurance program.
- Fire risk assessment and scenario modeling for developing equipment fire protection strategies.
- Site surveys to determine EMI levels for potential equipment interference problems.
- Central office audits to determine bonding and grounding concerns that may result in service problems.