Cisco Cisco ASA 5550 Adaptive Security Appliance Guía De Información
Lutz Schmidt
Infrastructure Service Manager
Messe Frankfurt GmbH
Infrastructure Service Manager
Messe Frankfurt GmbH
Customer Case Study
Solution
Communications, particularly wireless, are essential to events run by Messe Frankfurt, and
to the packages that the company leases to other organizers. It decided to test wireless
solutions from several vendors.
to the packages that the company leases to other organizers. It decided to test wireless
solutions from several vendors.
The company had recently installed a new fixed LAN based on the Cisco® Enterprise
Networks architecture, which enables people to connect safely and easily, anywhere
and on any device. Adding a wireless LAN (WLAN) from the same architectural framework
was a natural next step. That would give Messe Frankfurt a roadmap for future
developments, while enabling the company’s technology partner, T-Systems, to manage
both networks from a single point.
Networks architecture, which enables people to connect safely and easily, anywhere
and on any device. Adding a wireless LAN (WLAN) from the same architectural framework
was a natural next step. That would give Messe Frankfurt a roadmap for future
developments, while enabling the company’s technology partner, T-Systems, to manage
both networks from a single point.
Other reasons for choosing Cisco included:
• Wireless controllers would automate the almost-continuous process of setting up and
re-configuring the network
• Cisco CleanAir® technology would reduce interference on wireless connections and
always choose the best channel to give users a better experience
• Powerful reporting would produce clear and detailed usage and performance data for
organizers who may decide to rent the network and the exhibitors who will use it
“We consider Cisco as a quality manufacturer and the Cisco wireless LAN as the Audi
of wireless networks,” says Marko Ochs, infrastructure service sales manager at Messe
Frankfurt Venue GmbH. “It’s sometimes difficult to convince our IT department of the
merits of a new hardware purchase, but in this case it was an easy sell.”
of wireless networks,” says Marko Ochs, infrastructure service sales manager at Messe
Frankfurt Venue GmbH. “It’s sometimes difficult to convince our IT department of the
merits of a new hardware purchase, but in this case it was an easy sell.”
The Frankfurt exhibition halls are now equipped with a fast, reliable indoor dual-band
wireless network comprising more than 700 access points. For the first time, all the halls
have the same standard of wireless coverage, so that the user experience is consistently
good throughout the site. At its own events, Messe Frankfurt offers a free 2.4GHz standard
wireless service and a paid-for 5GHz premium service mainly used by exhibitors. Other
organizers who lease the network, along with all or part of the premises, can also choose to
offer free wireless access.
wireless network comprising more than 700 access points. For the first time, all the halls
have the same standard of wireless coverage, so that the user experience is consistently
good throughout the site. At its own events, Messe Frankfurt offers a free 2.4GHz standard
wireless service and a paid-for 5GHz premium service mainly used by exhibitors. Other
organizers who lease the network, along with all or part of the premises, can also choose to
offer free wireless access.
T-Systems took less than six months to design and install the network, with help from
Cisco. T-Systems now manages the complete communications infrastructure and
provides remote and onsite support. “Cisco and T-Systems met all our deadlines and
supported us to our complete satisfaction throughout the project,” says Ochs. “We’ve
established a high level of mutual trust with T-Systems over many years, and have
come to rely on its technical expertise and intelligent consultancy.”
Cisco. T-Systems now manages the complete communications infrastructure and
provides remote and onsite support. “Cisco and T-Systems met all our deadlines and
supported us to our complete satisfaction throughout the project,” says Ochs. “We’ve
established a high level of mutual trust with T-Systems over many years, and have
come to rely on its technical expertise and intelligent consultancy.”
To simplify management, Cisco Prime Infrastructure offers converged wired, wireless, and
security policy management, enabling faster troubleshooting and more efficient network
operations. It also provides complete visibility into endpoint connectivity, regardless of
device, network, or location. The network also includes Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive
Security Appliances to help ensure effective, always-on firewall and preventative
security services.
security policy management, enabling faster troubleshooting and more efficient network
operations. It also provides complete visibility into endpoint connectivity, regardless of
device, network, or location. The network also includes Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive
Security Appliances to help ensure effective, always-on firewall and preventative
security services.
Results
Being the first exhibition organizer to offer free wireless access is a unique selling point
that Messe Frankfurt is turning to its advantage. The Cisco name is also proving persuasive
among prospective customers. “The network brand is an important consideration when you
are planning to rent services commercially,” says Schmidt. “We’re finding that organizers
and exhibitors who inquire about wireless are pleased to hear that it’s a Cisco infrastructure.
We’ve only had positive feedback.”
that Messe Frankfurt is turning to its advantage. The Cisco name is also proving persuasive
among prospective customers. “The network brand is an important consideration when you
are planning to rent services commercially,” says Schmidt. “We’re finding that organizers
and exhibitors who inquire about wireless are pleased to hear that it’s a Cisco infrastructure.
We’ve only had positive feedback.”
The new network’s flexibility and easy management make it well suited to its environment.
Now it only takes a few minutes instead of several hours to set up a WLAN for any event
because T-Systems can centrally locate and automatically configure every wireless access
point. Saving time results in saving money, and the whole operation runs more smoothly.
Everyone benefits.
Now it only takes a few minutes instead of several hours to set up a WLAN for any event
because T-Systems can centrally locate and automatically configure every wireless access
point. Saving time results in saving money, and the whole operation runs more smoothly.
Everyone benefits.
© 2013 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
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