Details of my new network company

Here's the scoop on my new network company. It's a sophisticated MPLS core network designed to give the kind of service you need if you're setting up or running a digital signage network. It's run by me, and our other supremely talented people, with the backing of some much larger organisations.

Content Networks Limited
Security and simplicity for
digital signage

Content Networks is a completely new kind of network service specifically for digital signage, designed to take the complexity and uncertainty out of setting up content-oriented data connections.

At the heart of Content Network's technology is the ability to set up private networks over a wide area. Imagine having a hundred screen locations throughout the UK, all behaving as if they were on a Local Area Network. That's how simple it is. It's like having your own private internet.

With Content Networks, you don't have to be a small number in the big, impersonal world of telecommunications. Instead, you get a personal and efficient service.

We handle the installation of the network and we set up your private wide area network to work the way you want it to. We have short install times - as little as a few days for 3G connections.

Scared of Viruses and Hackers? There's no need to be as this is non-internet facing, with advanced firewalls and security policies. If you need the internet, it's via a single, secure, centrally managed gateway.

How does it work?

1) The Simple View: We have built an advanced Core Network (the physical infrastructure consisting of switches and routers) that is able to deliver secure, private connectivity to pretty well any location. The connectivity can be provided via ADSL, Leased Lines, Ethernet, 3G and even Radio if required. Content Networks, will design and implement the most appropriate network for your needs and ensure it is scalable for future growth.

2) The Technical View: We have a Cisco based "MPLS Core Network". The core network is the central part of a communications network and it is connected to an Access Network (the copper, fibre or mobile connections that cover the UK), which we use to set up virtual private networks (VPNs) to customer premises using the most effective connectivity for the requirement. We have interconnects with Tier 1 carriers and our own APN for mobile connectivity which gives us the reach required to offer a fully scalable solution.

To a customer, it's just like having a secure Local Area Network, with permanent, private IP addresses

How secure is it?

What we are delivering here is an MPLS based solution which means that traffic management is more efficient, providing greater reliability and increased performance. Our service is not a vanilla solution like a traditional ADSL connection. Whilst traditional ADSL connectivity can deliver content, there are security risks associated with 'local internet breakout' based services. Our service is provided as standard with no internet access (as digital signage does not need to 'surf the web') and is therefore not visible to the outside world. If you need internet access for RSS feeds etc, it's through a centralised breakout in our core network which allows internet access, controlled by a central security policy.

How do I set it up?

You tell us how you want it to work and we'll set it up for you. We will do a full requirements capture, draw up the network, discuss with you the benefits of the way we have designed it and once signed off, we will deliver it.

Is it reliable?

Our core network technology is fully redundant. For extra resilience, you can specify wired/wireless failover. What this means is that if your wired connection fails for any reason, the system will seamlessly switch to a wireless (3G) connection

What does it cost?

It's hard to compare our solution to standard offerings in the market. We are not delivering a standard 'vanilla' ADSL solution that can be bought from any ISP. We provide an MPLS based service, capable of being delivered over multiple types of access technology - not just ADSL. Our service is non-internet facing. It is secure and private and we offer the added benefit of 3G failover technology should the service be mission critical. For our 3G solutions, we have a next day, pre-9am fully-configured replacement router service. This provides continuity of service as it just slots back in and works.

Our MPLS based ADSL connection may cost slightly more than a standard ADSL connection but in return we we can set up the VPN tunnels far more cost effectively and quickly than would be possible with a standard connection. Management visibility and control of those connections is also greatly enhanced. We supply Cisco routers at the customer premises rather than cheaper consumer oriented routers, because Cisco routers are business grade, fully supportable and - above all - reliable.

For our 3G solutions we use enterprise class 3G routers with built in SIM and wireless interfaces, rather than cheaper routers with USB dongle attachments. This ensures we can offer a quality of service that far outstrips our nearest competition. These routers cost more to buy, but support over the lifetime of the project costs considerably less. The routers can be remotely configured and set up to monitor and alert users should there be an issue with a particular location.

The bottom line is that the Total Cost of Ownership with Content Networks can be significantly lower than using vanilla data connections and routers.

Can you really do digital signage over (wireless) 3G?

Absolutely and we are doing so at present. Our understanding of 3G/HSDPA technology is second to none and we have been working with this medium for a number of years. We have our own private APN (interconnect into the mobile network) and can provide Fixed IP solutions that enable the delivery of content, management and control to individual sites. We can also use the 3G technology to provide automatic failover from an ADSL connection for business continuity.

3G technology has developed over the last few years, with ever increasing speeds and coverage and huge advancements in the router capabilities. We would be happy to provide more details around this.

How are we different to the BTs and Virgin Medias of this world?

A standard BT or Virgin Media product will be broadband ADSL, which may look like it has a great price, with wireless routers included, free wi-fi minutes (which you don't need) and so on, but are these the best options for digital signage?

They are good value if you just want to set it up for Internet access and email, but these are not the priorities for digital signage. Digital signage networks need reliability, the ability to manage the connection, traffic prioritisation, remote access and management, potentially centralised content distribution, virtual private networks that can be centrally configured, and more advanced router technology that can deal with advanced protocols.

In effect, digital signage needs a network that has been specifically designed to deal with digital signage content and delivery. Whilst there is nothing wrong with the BT ADSL products; they have been packaged to deliver web and email services to consumers, not private, secure content services that are part of a revenue generating business.

Content Networks can deliver MPLS ADSL connectivity for not that much more than standard BT products, but as we have highlighted before, the Total Cost of Ownership of using a network specifically designed for this type of data is considerably less than that of using a generic "free for all'" service.

We also offer flexibility. Our network services can be installed in short timescales and both our DSL and 3G solutions can be re-located with short notice, enabling digital signage companies to vary their programmes, sites and campaigns.

We don't 'traffic shape' our network. Most ISPs offer packages with what they describe as "Unlimited Downloads", but what this often means is unlimited..up to a point. if you go over what is deemed to be an acceptable limit, they will throttle your connection back to Kbps speeds, rather than Mbps speeds. This can have a dramatic impact on the ability to deliver content. We control our own bandwidth and do not traffic shape. We work with you to identify how much bandwidth you will require and we work with that. We won't throttle your bandwidth, and so won't cause issues when you don't need them.

Companies should see Content Networks as their network partner rather than a network supplier as we will work with you to design the best solution for the job. Our technical engineers have designed bespoke systems for Police Authorities, Formula 1 Racing teams and Cinema chains; systems that have had to deliver critical network services.

www.contentnetworks.co.uk