What is network connectivity?
In the age of the digital services and infrastructure, the network is a modern-day road. Every text you send, email you’ve typed and video you’ve played must go from point A to point B. It is the network between those two points which facilitates that.
Before progressing, we should explain a few terms:
Fast – How quick and how much data can get from point A to point B.
Secure – Security of data from the public and bad actors.
Redundant – If part of the network fails, then there’s back so services aren’t affected.
Why is construction site connectivity important?
Construction site network connectivity is has now become critical as businesses become connected and autonomous in the way that they work. To make this clearer, let’s go over some the examples of what services on site need a network to function.
Corporate devices – Corporate devices need internet and network connectivity for web browsing, video calling and email. These are essential for communicating with customers, contractors and stake holders.
Surveillance and Security – Construction sites need to be secure and monitored to protect people and investment. The vast majority of CCTV and access systems are now IP based. For these to work and communicate a network needs to be established.
Operational technology – Heavy machinery and utility equipment are now monitored and operated remotely offsite. For remote manageability there needs to be a secure, fast and redundant network for them to be hosted on.
Establishing internet connectivity
Construction site internet solutions tend to become more difficult to implement. This is due to the inherent nature of a building site and the lack of infrastructure in place.
Construction site connectivity is needed from the very start of the project, well before any internet service provider can install any fibre or copper cabling. This means the alternative is wireless network solutions.
Below are some of the latest wireless network solutions and how we can tie together to become redundant and fast.
Cellular (5G & LTE) – Most of you will already be aware of 5G on your mobile phone and the connectivity it provides. The same technology can be applied as a construction site network solution. Whilst this solution is inexpensive, coverage may still be an issue.
Satellite – Satellite internet recently came onto the market in the last few years. This relies on low earth orbit satellites to send and receive data which in turn is routed to traditional internet service providers.
How do we piece this all together?
Now we understand why we need network connectivity and what construction site internet solution are available. We need to piece this all together and distribute the service across the site.
Firstly, let start with aggregating the internet solutions together. This Is known as a WAN (wide are network). As mentioned previously, this needs to be fast and redundant. Ideally, we would like to utilise both a cellular connection and a satellite connection. A common practise is to use the satellite connection a primary, but in the in event this connection fails we can automatically start using the cellular connection as a backup. We can also use the cellular connection in busy periods where the satellite connection is over utilised (load balancing). This ticks off our fast and redundancy objectives.
To achieve aggregating the connection we need to use a form router or firewall capable of IP service level agreements. This router/firewall will also serve as a gateway for the internal networks.
Secondary, we need to distribute this network connectivity to the rest of the site. Whether its wireless or wired is dependent on the requirement needs for the site. At a minimum a PoE network switch will be required for powering and providing data to wireless access points and CCTV cameras. Again, security needs to be considered by the network engineering consultant whom designs and implements the solution. The network switch select should be capable of segmenting CCTV away from staff devices.
How should equipment be sourced and stored?
Due to the nature of a site, the preferred type of equipment is known as ruggedised. Traditional network infrastructure needs to be in dust free and climate-controlled environments. Something very difficult to achieve on an active site. Specialised ruggedised equipment is designed especially for construction site connectivity and similar harsh conditions. These differences include:
- Can run in more extreme hot or cold temperatures
- Made with durable materials
- IP rating
- Flexible mounting positions
All equipment should be stored within a secure locked network cabinet.
In many instances, there’s a single use case for these types of solutions. Network engineering consultants and service providers can design, supply and integrate construction site connectivity on a purchase or short- or long-term hire basis. Also reach out to a proven professional before considering implementing construction site connectivity.
