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Earth Station Monitor and Control
Using Crystal - User Gateways
User gateways are designed for two purposes:
- Operator portals through which daily operations are performed. These user interfaces ("UI") are Linux, QNX, or Windows portals that are designed primarily as the primary operator interface.
- A web browser-accessed Management portal through which activity logs, system configuration, historical trending and graphing, and system security and administration is done.
This design allows maximum performance at the operator-level: where speed and system response is critical. Managerial functions are separated from operator UIs. In so doing, data analysis and reporting functions can be managed from an office rather than the NOC.
System Characteristics
Crystal's M&C solution delivers results and is constructed with the following building blocks...
Experience
Pioneering M&C solutions has been a part of Crystal's DNA for over 25 years. Since 1986 Crystal has provided solutions for customers that read like the industry's "Who's Who". This know-how is demonstrated every day and evidenced by:
- Site Diversity solutions that reliably transfer up link in less than 10 milliseconds
- Thousands of devices are controllable through Crystal's library of supported devices. Drivers for devices not listed can be available in 15 to 30 days.
- Common User Experience across devices (e.g. receivers, encoders) is an often-overlooked feature. Operators become accustomed to a common look and feel for device remote control when commands and controls are commonly located across multiple manufacturers (i.e. Tandberg receiver UI controls are laid out similar to that of a Tiernan unit).
- Control method is not limited. Whether the interface is snmp, serial, IP, serial-over-IP, or a custom API (Application Program Interface), Crystal is comfortably literate regardless all means of control.
Dedicated and Reliable
Trust... the most critical aspect of any system: trust that commands reliably execute: trust that mission-critical operations need not be interrupted for M&C changes: trust that the system will be up even when other systems may be down.
Crystal's industry-leading reliability features:
- System updates that do not require regular system re-booting. Crystal's distributed architecture is a well-kept secret resulting in few-and-far-between interruptions. Fewer reboots mean fewer interruptions.
- Crystal's new ETPH is a game changer; allowing Crystal to head-off and alleviate network or system issues before presenting themselves operationally.
- Because the operating system is not Windows-based, risk of virus infection is significantly reduced.
- HART (High Availability Redundant Technology) ensures system continuity even in the event of complete server failure.
- Full year of 24/7/365 warranty and support with service maintenance renewable and available thereafter.
- Support of new devices can usually be fulfilled within 15 to 30 days
Flexible
Few experiences are more frustrating than to discover configuration "uh-oh's" after purchase. Your Crystal system is a powerful tool fully equipped with all the tools you need to accomplish your needs.
- Remote alarm notification (via email or TTL) is completely configurable - not a disappointing an "all-or-nothing" that renders the feature useless with nuisance notifications by the second
- Security setup allows assignment of unique user name/password together with permission-config tools you need. Permission granularity that allows assignment of command rights by:
- device type (e.g. all HPAs may be commanded by user A but not user B)
- device (e.g. AOR up-link HPA may be commanded by all users but East up-link may not)
- attribute (e.g. AOR antenna polarity may be commanded but the dish cannot be moved by any operator - only by an engineer)
- Crystal is ready top report system & device status with a fully developed snmp agent to send user-configured traps
Expandable
M&C systems must be able to grow and change as your operations change - and in this aspect Crystal leads the pack. No provider has more experience with M&C solutions that integrate with:
- upstream automation systems (Florical, Harris, Miranda)
- compression systems (Scientific Atlanta/Cisco, Motorola)
- multiple other systems including solutions to remotely control equipment via transport-stream commands (SCTE35)
Additions are simple to effect:
- UIs are inexpensive and easy to add
- devices are simple to add through Crystal's Configuration Manager browser interface
Changes can be done by Crystal (and can be included in a service agreement) or your staff. Crystal provides and maintains a full program of audio/video-delivered training modules.
Crystal Solutions
The Clear Difference.
The Clear Advantage.
Crystal Clear.
Crystal Leads the Way in M&C
Crystal has led the way in development of the most advanced, full-featured monitor & control ("M&C") solution in the business. Read more to determine why Crystal truly can claim:
- The Clear Difference
- The Clear Advantage
- Crystal Clear.™