Frequently Asked Questions

When should I consider having a wireless system designed?

Many of our customers use wireless indoors to reduce wired port counts, and simplify user administration and service users, which typically results in enhanced productivity. Other customers want to eliminate or provide a backup for expensive leased lines between buildings, or discontinue the use of public networks to transport sensitive data. Wireless use has been proven to start saving organizations money and increase user productivity, resulting in immediate satisfaction. Best of all, the components are modular and can move or change with your needs, thereby maximizing the return on your investment over time.

I am interested in connecting several buildings together using wireless. Which network design is better for me?

There are two types of network topologies that are available for this type of wireless system: point-to-point and point-to-multipoint. Point-to-point wireless systems imply a single site to a single site, while point-to-multipoint implies a single site to multiple sites. When considering the use of either, the following should be taken into account: the network topology aspects, the project budget, performance constraints and topographical feasibility.

Point-to-point networks follow RF Engineering principals: when known factors are taken into account, the resulting performance and reliability is very predictable. Multipoint networks, however, are more dynamic in this respect. Since multipoint networks don't use designated pairs of radios, they often cost less than point-to-point configurations. Wherever the concentration is on the reliability and the performance of the wireless link, we recommend that point-to-point wireless network links be considered.

The ICI Networks’ Engineering team is very experienced with all possible network configurations, giving us the increased ability to ensure that the right network is designed to address your needs.

We installed wireless ourselves at home and it works fine. Can't we just buy some wireless equipment and install it ourselves?

This answer depends on your organization's needs. To get the maximum performance possible out of your wireless network, you need to have it designed by a professional with real-world experience. Certain conditions that can negatively impact productivity in your organization probably don't apply at home. For instance, how will a greater number of devices play a role in your network design? How do you best handle workers using wireless devices that operate on different 802.11 standards? What is the best way to handle network security in your environment? ICI Networks' Engineering staff can make recommendations to address your concerns to make sure your network is designed right the first time, while saving you the time, effort, and potential risks associated with experimentation.

Security is of great concern to my organization. How secure are wireless networks?

Wireless encryption standards that are currently available on new "out-of-the-box" hardware allow for up to Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) level encryption. The National Security Agency (NSA) tested AES-based technologies and found that they were secure enough for US Government non-classified data. In June 2003, the US Government announced that AES may be used for classified information:

"The design and strength of all key lengths of the AES algorithm (i.e., 128, 192 and 256) are sufficient to protect classified information up to the SECRET level. TOP SECRET information will require use of either the 192 or 256 key lengths." This marks the first time that the public has had access to a cipher approved by NSA for TOP SECRET classified information.

Wireless Network Security for your organization greatly depends on how you plan for users to access network resources. Contact an ICI Networks' representative so that we can discuss the level of security that's right for you.

How will ICI's products allow for growth and accommodate future technologies?

Our products utilize a form factor that we designed specifically to control forward and backward compatibility issues. Furthermore, ICI Networks' products use only standards-based, external connections, allowing virtually any device or component to quickly and easily connect, regardless of form or function. These design features help to ensure that legacy, current and new technologies integrate seamlessly, and many times, without any disruption to real-time operation.

What is the average downtime associated with an ICI Networks' module during service or upgrade?

Our modular system was designed to allow individual device modules to be serviced without any required disruption to the network, which means that your operations will stay up during the process. Regular maintenance and upgrades can be performed in moments by field maintenance staff, even if they do not have specific knowledge of networking or network components.

Since our device modules utilize "hot-swap" technology, your network stays up, and only the portion of the network you are working with is disrupted. The modules also come with the required cables and accessories, eliminating downtime associated with last-minute part runs.

How would ICI Networks' product solutions help me during systems failure in the event of an emergency?

Since our system can operate up to six different device modules at one time, and can be powered by 110V AC (or optionally 12V DC) you can use either commercial power or a vehicle power outlet. This unique flexibility truly delivers network connectivity anywhere, and under any circumstance.

I have a mix of highly qualified technical staff and field maintenance staff. Will my entire team be able to use the ICI Network product in the field?

Not only can your maintenance staff easily manage devices in the field, but the system was designed for this purpose. As you may already be aware from reading the other questions, we have a wealth of real-world experience as Administrators, Systems Engineers, and Network Power Users. We have translated the benefit of our experience into our pre-integrated product design to make the transition to ICI Networks' platform as easy and painless as possible.