Public sector and port health · Case Study
Resilient switching for essential port health services
A replacement core and access network supported data, voice and video, with a carefully staged migration at the authority’s Felixstowe headquarters.
- Dual interconnections between core and access layers
- Resilient design
- Out-of-hours LAN migration
- No disruption reported
- Cisco Meraki Dashboard for the IT team
- Central control
The Client
Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority protects public and animal health through border checks and related services. Its work at Felixstowe includes controlled imports, food safety, ship sanitation, water quality and infectious disease control.
The Challenge
The authority needed to replace its core and access-layer LAN with an enterprise-grade network. The design had to carry data, voice and video while prioritising mission-critical applications.
Resilience and operational continuity were key requirements. Fluid worked with the IT team to assess the existing environment and agree a detailed design before implementation.
Our Delivery
A detailed network design
Fluid developed a hierarchical core and access architecture with dual resilient interconnections, designed to remove single points of failure.
Off-site preparation
Network equipment was pre-staged and configured before installation, reducing the work and downtime required on site.
Out-of-hours migration
Following stakeholder approval, the LAN migration took place outside normal working hours. The published account reports a seamless change with no business disruption.
Knowledge transfer and support
Fluid shared operational knowledge with the authority’s IT staff and provided support for the delivered environment.
The Results
The project met the agreed requirements and was delivered within budget. The IT team gained central visibility and control of the LAN through Cisco Meraki Dashboard.
The original PDF records a project-specific licensing arrangement: two additional years of Dashboard licensing at no extra charge, giving seven years for the original five-year investment.
The published article also describes subsequent firewall replacement, LAN and wireless refresh work, and support services. These are reported as part of the historical customer engagement.
“design and deliver a resilient, secure and feature rich Cisco Meraki network”
Project Technologies
Platforms and technologies used in the original engagement.
- Cisco Meraki MS switches and MR access points
- FortiGate security appliances
- Meraki Systems Manager
- Guest and secure corporate wireless
This case study describes the original customer project. Technologies, licensing arrangements and outcomes reflect that engagement.
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