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| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public Safety / 911 Dispatch |
| Company Type | County-wide 911 dispatch center |
| Geography/Coverage | 984 square miles, 485,000+ residents |
| Primary Challenge | Incomplete monitoring from terminated contractor |
| Solution Deployed | NetGuardian RTUs with SNMP integration |
| Key Result | 3-day integration with existing systems |
| Implementation Timeframe | Completed in 3 days |
| Products Used | NetGuardian RTUs, NGEdit Windows utility |
Lancaster County-Wide Communications provides 911 services for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The center serves 485,000+ residents across 984 square miles. Staff answer an average of 580 calls per day. They dispatch 1,090 incidents daily. The operation employs 75 dispatchers with 15 on duty at all times.
When a contractor's termination left equipment installed but monitoring incomplete, LCWC faced a critical gap in oversight of remote communications tower sites. Steve Palumbo, Network Architect from D&E Communications Inc., needed to integrate NetGuardian units with his existing What's Up Gold SNMP manager. The goal was integration without replacing the working infrastructure already in place.
"We were left with equipment already installed, but the setup of monitoring for alarms at the remote sites hadn't been completed."
Palumbo contacted DPS Telecom for guidance on integrating the installed NetGuardian units with his existing What's Up Gold SNMP manager. DPS Sales provided training DVDs and direct access to technical documentation through DpsTele.com. The support included downloadable MIBs and firmware upgrades. This combination of resources enabled complete remote monitoring integration via SNMP in just 3 days.
The approach preserved LCWC's existing network monitoring infrastructure. It added comprehensive site monitoring across all remote locations. No system replacement was required, saving both time and budget.
| Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Contact and Resources | DPS Sales provided training DVDs and access to technical documentation through DpsTele.com within days. |
| Configuration and Testing | Palumbo configured alarms, upgraded firmware, and imported NetGuardian MIBs into What's Up Gold. |
| Site Deployment Strategy | Simple rollout: connect NetGuardian to network switch, assign IP address, and begin monitoring. |
Lancaster County 911 achieved complete integration of NetGuardian monitoring with their existing SNMP platform in 3 days. The rapid deployment ensured continuous oversight of critical communications infrastructure. This protected the 485,000 residents who depend on reliable emergency services.
| Result | Impact |
|---|---|
| Implementation Speed | Complete setup in just 3 days from contact to production |
| SNMP Platform Compatibility | Direct compatibility with What's Up Gold platform |
| Future Expansion Options | IP camera control features discovered for later expansion |
| Multi-Site Scalability | Plug-and-play configuration designed for all sites |
"I got the NGEdit Windows utility set up, learned how to configure the alarms and how each alarm was mapped within the NetGuardian SNMP MIB. It was a piece of cake."
Steve Palumbo, Network Architect, D&E Communications Inc.
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| SNMP Platform Integration | Works with existing What's Up Gold without system replacement |
| Rapid 3-Day Implementation | Complete integration from evaluation to production in just 3 days |
| Expandable Capabilities | Additional features like IP camera control ready when needed |
| Scalable Deployment | Simple plug-and-play setup designed for deployment to all sites |
How do NetGuardian RTUs integrate with SNMP managers?
NetGuardian RTUs support standard SNMP protocols (V1, V2, V3) and provide downloadable MIBs for integration with third-party SNMP platforms like What's Up Gold, SolarWinds, or IBM OpenView. Configuration is handled through the NGEdit Windows utility, allowing you to map alarms, upgrade firmware, and import MIBs in a matter of days.
What can be monitored at 911 communications tower sites?
NetGuardian RTUs monitor equipment alarms, environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, water intrusion), power systems (generators, batteries, rectifiers), door access, and microwave system status. This comprehensive monitoring ensures dispatcher communications remain operational during emergencies. For 911 centers, early warning of equipment issues can mean the difference between continuous service and dangerous communication gaps.
How fast can monitoring be deployed across multiple sites?
Once the initial NetGuardian configuration is complete, deployment to additional sites is straightforward: connect to the network switch, assign an IP address, and monitoring begins. LCWC designed their system specifically for this plug-and-play approach across all tower locations.
What training and support does DPS provide for technical staff?
DPS offers training DVDs, comprehensive online documentation, downloadable MIBs, free firmware upgrades, and direct access to technical support from engineers with decades of product experience. Most integration questions can be resolved quickly through documentation and support resources.
Do NetGuardian RTUs work with legacy connectivity?
Yes, NetGuardian units support multiple transport options including Ethernet, Serial, T1, Fiber, GSM/CDMA, and dial-up connections. This makes them compatible with both modern and legacy infrastructure. You can monitor sites regardless of available connectivity. Many 911 centers operate mixed networks with both new and old equipment, and NetGuardian RTUs handle this diversity seamlessly.
Managing critical communications for public safety requires monitoring you can trust. We'll help you integrate reliable monitoring with your existing systems without disruption.
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