MARITIME FIRE & SAFETY ASSOCIATION technology, which warrant changes to the Study’s identified recommended infrastructure equipment replacements. Why Change is Required The primary driver for change is the move towards converged internet protocol (IP) networks due to the lack of circuit-switched time-domain multiplex (TDM) infrastructure equipment.
PSGP FUNDING AWARDED The Maritime Fire & Safety Association has applied for and received notice of allocation for Port Security Grant Program funding to support the following projects. Unified Communications Enhance the existing network of equipment to allow for fully interoperable communications network for the region Investment in mobile communications platforms Additional training for firefighters Increase access to Shipboard Firefighting Training through the region Improve the ability to collaborate and share effective strategies nationally
ENHANCED UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS Background In 2017, the Maritime Fire & Safety Association contracted to have a Radio Equipment Replacement Study (“Study”) performed by ADCOMM Engineering. The intent was to identify the “end-of-life” or “end-of-service” dates for radio system components. Since the study was performed, there have been advances in radio system 20
TDM equipment includes landline “copper-wire” plain-old-telephone (POTs) lines, digital subscriber line (DSL), and T1 channel banks. This equipment is no longer manufactured and if available, can only be purchased on the used market. A newer IP-based backhaul network is being designed to be highly reliable and sufficiently resilient to support emergency radio communications. Additionally, it must be designed to be secure to ensure unauthorized personnel cannot gain access to the critical communications network. Improvements Expected By changing the backhaul network from TDM to IP, MFSA will gain: Longevity of equipment. The replacement equipment becomes currently available, off-the-shelf with warranties and replacement cycles. Ease of maintenance. The replacement equipment is simpler to maintain by existing IT personnel. IP-based remote access allows for simple remote monitoring through alarm notifications and ease of troubleshooting problems. Reduced points of failure. With IP-based equipment, routers/ switches and Ethernet patch panels take the place of punch blocks and physical wires. A lesser number of connection points reduces the potential for errors due to physical break points. Simple web-based interface. The replacement equipment can be accessed via IP connectivity with current, available Windows PCs and common software. Note: some equipment is accessible via IP connectivity now but requires Windows 7 or older software.
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