The technology it takes to connect the Commonwealth Games

240km of fibre underpins the most connected Games ever.

  • 10 years ago Posted in

Glasgow 2014 has already been heralded as the most successful Commonwealth games to date following seven days of high adrenaline action and 410 medals. Now, Cisco, the official network infrastructure sponsor of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, has revealed details of how it is helping enable the most connected Games ever. From the high speed transmission of mission critical data, to the digital platforms that share the Commonwealth Games with the world, Cisco has put in place a technology foundation that will ensure Glasgow 2014 is a connected and inclusive event.


With 1,400 employees; 15,000 volunteers; 6,500 athletes and officials; as well as the attending press, emergency services and those simply enjoying the Games, Cisco is providing a highly secure and robust network infrastructure enabling the connection of devices, data, voice and video services across all 13 venues. It has revealed that 240km of fibre has been installed across the games’ site - the equivalent length of 600 Hampden Park running tracks.


The technology used by Cisco to power the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games includes:
• Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine)
• Cisco Prime Infrastructure management platform with Cisco Mobility Services Engine
• 441 switches
• 8 firewalls
• 6 intrusion prevention systems
• 378 wireless access points
• 40 routers
• 2300 IP phones


The resulting total installed bandwidth from the above amounts to 520 gigabits per second, with firewalls capable of processing more than 25,000 terabytes of data - equivalent to roughly 500,000 feature length Blu-Ray DVDs.


Further showcasing technology innovation, in a joint demonstration by Cisco and BBC Research and Development, visitors to the Glasgow Science Centre are able to explore the future of TV viewing in the home. By combining Ultra-HD footage from the Games with adaptable displays and contextual applications, Cisco and the BBC are demonstrating a truly immersive and enhanced viewing experience.


Phil Smith, CEO Cisco UK and Ireland, said: “We’re incredibly proud to play our part in this world-class sporting event. Amazing things happen when you connect the unconnected, and the Commonwealth Games is the perfect platform to display the transformative power of technology and its ability to change the way we live, work and play.”


In addition to the technology installed for the Games, Cisco is building out its focus on innovation in Scotland through the expansion of its National Virtual Incubator (NVI) programme. A key part of Cisco’s British Innovation Gateway (BIG) initiative, which aims to give support to technology entrepreneurs and start-ups through mentoring and financial support, the NVI programme aims to connect entrepreneurs with like-minded innovators. Two new NVI nodes at the University of Strathcylde and the University of Abertay will connect young entrepreneurs at these universities with a nationwide network of NVI nodes. This will enable Scotland’s future innovators to access collective wisdom, big ideas and collaborative guidance from their peers nationwide.


 

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