Power and Utilities

Power Utility Networks Require Smart Grid Migration, SCADA, Teleprotection, Substation Automation & IP Security

A Look At Existing Utility Environments

Contents
  1. Existing Utility Environments
  2. Migration to Smart Grid
  3. Key JumboSwitch Attributes

Typical utility communications networks have traditionally been built with SONET/SDH and utilize TDM technologies and interfaces including T1/E1, RS232, V.35, E&M etc. A driving force behind using SONET/SDH in utility networks was network reliability and fast recovery (50 msec) during failure conditions.

However, SONET/SDH does have its drawbacks. In a SONET/SDH system, the "nailed down" nature of the bandwidth leads to inefficient use of network resources. Oftentimes, bandwidth dedicated to one application with nothing to transmit can sit idle while other applications are starved of necessary bandwidth. As a result, this type of environment is not suitable for next generation IP services such as Ethernet based SCADA, Voice over IP, Wi-Fi Mobility and IP-based video surveillance required by the Smart Grid applications.

Legacy TDM infrastructure cannot accommodate the bursty nature of these Ethernet /IP applications which tend to use large amounts of bandwidth for short periods and release it for other applications when transmission is complete. Despite recent enhancements in SONET/SDH technology to carry Ethernet, managing and operating Ethernet/IP networks can quickly become prohibitively complex and expensive.

Migration to Smart Grid

To prepare for Smart Grid deployment, utilities must consider at least three important issues when planning next generation communications networks:

  • Reliability, Survivability & Security
  • Migration Costs
  • Support for New Services

Due to the extreme mission critical nature of Utility environments, network reliability, survivability and security probably tops most Utility’s criteria lists. In short, the new network must provide reliability and fault recovery similar to SONET/SDH --- if not better. Furthermore, operations expenditures (OPEX) and capital expenditures (CAPEX) must be kept in check. The best and most viable solutions must be affordable and offer reasonable ROI. Finally, the ability of the network to accommodate new services while supporting existing legacy applications is essential to successful network evolution.

Key JumboSwitch Attributes

The JumboSwitch Industrial multi-service GigE Modular Switch provides a cost-effective, gradual migration from legacy TDM based solutions to new IP/Ethernet based technologies. Armed with impressive feature/functionality, the industrial-hardened JumboSwitch platform is uniquely qualified for deployment in the harshest substation environments.

  1. Designed for harsh Substation Environments

    The JumboSwitch platform exceeds substation hardened requirements including -40°C to +80°C operating temperature without use of fans, immunity to Electro-Magnetic Interference EMI and Conformal Coating for all boards (optional). It complies with the following Utility Industry and environmental standards:

    • IEC 61850-3 (also referred to as IEC 61000-6-5)
    • IEEE 1613


  2. Reliability/Security

    The JumboSwitch provides comprehensive security features to facilitate NERC-CIP compliance for North American electrical utility networks. The following features are currently supported:

    • Enable/Disable Ports – The ability to disable ports to provide physical security
    • MAC Based port security – Enhances Ethernet port security by limiting device access to use the port
    • 802.1Q VLAN – Separates Ethernet traffic into virtual LANs to provide physical security and improve network availability by limiting broadcast storms
    • Passwords – Multi-Level and strong passwords to prevent unauthorized logins and user access
    • SSH – Encrypts all transmission data for secure, remote Command-Line Interface (CLI) access over IP networks, such as Telnet
    • SSL – Encrypts HTTP traffic for secured access to the browser-based JumboSwitch management GUI
    • 802.1x – Works with RADIUS to only allow authenticated ports
    • RADIUS – Provides centralized user authentication and service authorization through a RADIUS server
    • Bandwidth Rate Limiting – Enforces Ethernet port controls for traffic monitoring and prioritization to protect against unwanted traffic storm
    • SNMPv3 – Maximizes security by authenticating and encrypting JumboSwitch management (e.g. TCView) via SNMP protocol


  3. Support for Existing TDM services

    The JumboSwitch offers total support for existing legacy networks and provides a gradual migration path to Ethernet/IP. Specifically, legacy application support includes all popular Serial interfaces (RS232, RS422, RS485), TDM (T1/E1 and T3/E3), E&M, C37.94, G.703/64K, Analog (2/4wire) and Dry Contact.

    Case Study:Jamaica Uses JumboSwitch for Teleprotection

    TC Communications uses the JumboSwitch product to “hurricane proof” Jamaica's entire SCADA and Teleprotection networks.

    Click Here to View Case Study

  4. Support for Teleprotection – Hitless Recovery

    Typical SONET/SDH standards call for 50 msec recovery and Ethernet Spanning Tree Protocol recoveries could take several seconds depending on the complexity of the network. If a need for teleprotection switching occurs while the network is in recovery mode, the teleprotection packets may be dropped. For extreme mission-critical teleprotection applications, even minuscule network outage time is unacceptable.

    By duplicating the teleprotection frames in both fiber directions, from source to destination, the JumboSwitch offers a unique “zero down-time” hitless recovery option that will fulfill even the most challenging teleprotection reliability requirements. If a fiber or a node between the source and destination is lost, and the JumboSwitch enters recovery mode, the duplicate teleprotection frames transmitted on the second fiber running in the opposite direction will still reach their destination intact without loss of service.

  5. Support for new IP/Ethernet services

    Standards based layer-2 functionality is critical for providing multi-vender interoperability and supporting various traffic types with different characteristics. For example, voice applications are less tolerant of delay and jitter in the network than email and network access. Therefore, the ability to customize each traffic stream based on its characteristics is important to successfully deploy a shared layer 2 backbone. The implementation and support of these layer-2 features on the backbone networking platform is critical for the deployment IP services such as:

    • Teleprotection
    • Voice over IP
    • Video surveillance
    • Metering
    • Corporate LAN
    • Mobile Radio
    • SCADA

  6. Work over Existing Media (fiber and/or microwave radios)

    In many cases, remote substations may be located outside the reach of optical fiber. In such rural areas the use of T1/E1, T3/E3, or OC-3/STM-1 circuits over microwave links is common practice. In some cases the utility may want to leverage their existing SONET/SDH network to connect their new Ethernet/IP network in order to set up a gradual migration to Ethernet/IP.

    The JumboSwitch offers highly flexible connectivity options. In addition to multi-mode and single mode fiber, the JumboSwitch supports the latest in Ethernet-over-PDH technology including Ethernet over T1/E1, Ethernet over T3/E3 and Ethernet over OC-3/STM-1.

  7. Scalability/Investment Protection

    An important consideration for successful deployment in any utility network is the ability of the network to grow without major disruptions or fork-lift upgrades. The JumboSwitch GigE platform is designed with a clear migration to 10GigE with the replacement of a single main module. All customer investments in the chassis, power supplies and interface cards will be maintained and supported when the JumboSwitch is upgraded to 10GigE.

  8. Comprehensive Network Management (TC View)

    The TC Communications’ SNMP-based network management platform (TC View) provides high network reliability and availability, minimizes overall operations costs and assists in traffic engineering and network planning. Following the telecommunications Management Network (TMN) model, TCView supports the FCAPS philosophy of feature functionality including:

    • Fault Management
    • Capacity Management
    • Asset Management
    • Performance Management
    • Security Management