MultiSwitch Doubles Power Reliability At Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt Airport in Germany has recently installed of over 400 MultiSwitches to protect Cisco switches in their voice and data network. The MultiSwitches were supplied by Riello UPS GmbH through a local reseller.

Automatic Transfer Switch

MultiSwitch is an intelligent automatic transfer switch that can be powered from two independent sources (A and B) to achieve standby power protection should one source fail suddenly. Up to eight separately connected network devices can be powered from its output sockets. MultiSwitch is ideal for complex computer and Voice over IP (VoIP) networks requiring maximum uptime and provides the added advantage of allowing users to monitor and control their connected devices.

Dual Power Sources

The power sources to a MultiSwitch can be a combination of two independent mains supplies, uninterruptible power supplies or a combination of the two. Each source has to be rated to support the full load placed on the eight output sockets. If one of the power sources fails or falls outside specification, MultiSwitch powers the loads automatically from the second power source - instantaneously.

The Frankfurt Airport Configuration

For the 400 MultiSwitches at Frankfurt airport the chosen power sources were: input A - uninterruptible power supply, and input B - the local mains. The critical loads to be powered were Cisco Switches in clusters of two or three per MultiSwitch.

Each of the eight output sockets on a MultiSwitch is independent of the others, and therefore a short circuit or load fault is automatically isolated to prevent disruption to other loads or crashing of the MultiSwitch device itself. Users can set each of the output sockets to draw power from either of the sources or to switch off if one of them fails.

SNMP Remote Management Option Installed

At Frankfurt airport each MultiSwitch was installed with an SNMP management option to allow the devices to be monitored and controlled through the Network Management Software (NMS).

Stefan Voss of Riello UPS GmbH

"In particular the Frankfurt airport IT team monitors the current being drawn from each MultiSwitch output socket. A sudden rise indicates that one of the power supplies in the Cisco switch is itself starting to malfunction.

This early indication allows the IT team to take action before the Cisco power supply itself fails. Through the NMS the IT team can also control which power source feeds each of the MultiSwitch output sockets and what happens to the connected power when one of the sources fails. They can cold-start any of the Cisco switches".

MultiSwitch Beats All Competition

Stefan Voss commented further: "Riello UPS GmbH secured the installation against some very strong competition. We won the order as our technology, design and reliability were proven to be ahead of the competition. The product was modified to the exacting specifications issued against very tight deadlines."

Frankfurt Airport, which is Germany's busiest airport, chose a Riello UPS product ahead of the competition. Robin Koffler, General Manager for Riello Galatrek Ltd:

"This was a great win for MultiSwitch. The product is ideal for networking environments looking to double power reliability and tackle the problem of how to power several devices from multiple power sources. At 2U high and only 389mm deep the product is ideal for rackmounting and the front panel LCD provides a wealth of operating information."

About Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the second largest publicly listed airport group in the world and is active at some 50 locations. It is the home base of the Lufthansa fleet and the main European hub for the Star Alliance.

In total, over 100 scheduled passenger airlines link FRA with almost 300 destinations in about 100 countries worldwide. Some 50 passenger and cargo charter airlines complement this truly global network.

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