b'Partner News Summer 2023 17EnterpriseAn OT networks hardware must suit its intended usage and environment by offering:Ruggedised, fanless hardware built for harsh environments rather than cooled communications rooms or datacentresForm factors other than 19-inch rack-mounted (DIN rail)Ease of use to ensure maintainers do not require extensive training - there should be no need to outsource the communications element of the operational system.The ability to offer dedicated bandwidth and determinate routes rather than relying on Quality of Service (QoS) and indeterminate routing protocolsDirect support of legacy systems like RS232, E&M etc.That last point is a crucial one for an airfield network. Many of these systems and their field devices remain very reliable. Only the network needs to change but in a lot of cases, adding a network might result in additional devices between the edge and Airfield Networks - is thethe network to convert from, say, serial to TCP/IP. one-size-fits-all approachThis of course introduces additional single points of failure as well as a need for knowledge of yet another device and the the correct one? holding of additional spares.Here at Firstco, we have over 20 years experience in communications across airports and understands the needs of an operationally critical system and we have By FirstCo seen how others IT-optimised networks can fail the systems attached to them through a simple overnight patch going wrong and weve had great success deploying With so much technology running evenA certain amount of downtime is toleratednetworks such as an airfield upgrade project the smallest of modern airports, networkson an IT network. When it comes tousing OTNs xTran equipment.are vital in allowing that technology toOperational Technology (OT), a short communicate. With the convergence ofoutage can have an enormous impact to anFind out more on what we do:this operationally critical technology toairport, at best to the airports bottom linefirstco.uk.comTransmission Control Protocol/Internetand at worst to the safety of passengers.Protocol (TCP/IP), many airports have takenThis is not to say that TCP/IP should be this apparent opportunity to bring theiravoided, there are many benefits to using data networks together. But is this one-size- TCP/IP for communications:fits-all approach the correct one? A technology to which wider range of As traditional engineering technologiesmaintainers are familiarhave begun using TCP/IP, rather than more Emerging systems/technologies are likely bespoke communications protocols, it hasto support ittended to be moved onto established IT Automated reporting/monitoring to the networks. Whilst these networks are oftencorporate IT networkdescribed as highly available, they often, quite rightly, have a stronger focus onHowever, the approach to applying TCP/IP confidentiality and integrity. to OT must be carefully considered.'