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Sharm El-Sheikh Highway Surveillance

Designs, field documents and schedule

Redrawn versions of the network, fiber, data center, pole and power designs, the field documents and the schedule, across five highway projects. Equipment families are named; site names, quantities per site and branding are left out.

Overview

Technologies used

Network
Cisco Nexus 9300 (93180YC-FX, 93108TC-FX)Cisco Nexus 9332C coreCisco IE-4000 / IE-3300 industrial switchesCatalyst stackC8300 edge routersSG350X access
Optics
10G SM long-reach SFP1G BiDi SFP40/100G QSFP BiDi
WAN and wireless
MPLS WANPoint-to-multipoint wireless base stations
Surveillance
80–320 MP panoramic camerasLaser PTZ20 MP and 8 MP fixedNVRs with storage expansionsVMS / control center
Fiber
Air-blown fiber (ABF)7-way and 1-way 14/10 mm microducts144- and 96-core micro cablesSplice closures and ODFsOTDR testing
Power and site
Outdoor 1 kVA UPSStabilizers and protection unitsPole earthingRaised-floor data centerVideo walls
Technical design

Network SLD: dual-homed, redundant core

Every camera connects to two distribution switches. A redundant core pair links cameras, recorders and operators. Recording traffic stays on its own switches.

Panoramic cameras200 MP · 10G single-modePTZ camerasvia IE-4000 field switch20 MP fixed camerasvia IE-4000 field switchOperator workstations10 × · 10G copperCamera distribution ANexus 93180YC-FXCamera distribution BNexus 93180YC-FXWorkstation switchNexus 93108TC-FX + VMS serverCore switch ANexus 9332CCore switch BNexus 9332C · redundantRecording distribution ANexus 93180YC-FXRecording distribution BNexus 93180YC-FXNVRs + storage expansionshalf of the recordersNVRs + storage expansionsother half88 Gbps camera uplinks44 Gbps recording uplinks50 GbpsVLAN 1 · live video, NVR port 1, operatorsVLAN 2 · NVR port 2 to storageEach NVR on the same switch as itsexpansions: recording stays off the core
FiberCopperRedundant core
InputCamera list, recorder count, operator positions
DecisionsDual-homing, redundant core, two VLANs, recorders local to their storage
Used forSwitch and optics BOQ, port mapping, vendor configuration
Technical design

Bandwidth sizing

Average bandwidth per device type multiplied up to each switch, by traffic direction. From the network design study for one road.

One 20 MP sensor0.4 Gbps
200 MP panoramic (10 sensors)≈ 4 Gbps
NVR port 2 to storage⅔ × 4 ≈ 2.7 Gbps
Each of 2 expansions½ × 2.7 ≈ 1.35 Gbps
SwitchDeviceQtyAvg per device (Gbps)Total (Gbps)Traffic
Camera distribution A + BPanoramic / camera streams224.088Streaming
Recording distribution (each)NVR port 1114.044Recording in
Recording distribution (each)NVR port 2112.729.7To storage, playback
Recording distribution (each)Storage expansions211.429.4Recording (internal)
Workstation switchOperator workstations105.050Playback, download
InputCamera resolution, recording design, operator tasks
ChecksUplink capacity per switch, traffic direction, playback load
Used forUplink speeds, core sizing, questions to the vendor
Technical design

Port mapping

Every switch port mapped to its device, VLAN, link type and optic, which also gives the transceiver order.

SwitchPortVLANDestinationPortLinkOptic
Camera dist. A11Panoramic camera 01110G SMSFP-10G-ER
Camera dist. B11Panoramic camera 01210G SMSFP-10G-ER
Camera dist. A231Field switch, PTZ node 01Uplink 11G SMGLC-BX40
Recording dist. A11 + 2NVR 011 & 210G MMSFP-10G-SR
Core A49trunkCamera dist. AUplink40/100G MMQSFP-40/100-SRBD
InputSLD and device list
ChecksPort counts, VLANs, link type and optic reach
Used forSFP ordering, installation, configuration
Technical design

Fiber design and air-blown fiber

Two patterns from the control room: a star of 144-core cables with 4 cores per node, and a ring of two 96-core cables for redundancy.

Main controlroomCorridor 1 · star from control room144-core micro cable · 12 tubes × 12 cores4 cores dropped per node · splice at each poleused cores + spare cores tracked per cablecable length per segment from the route surveyCorridor 2 · fiber ring for redundancyMain controlroomback-to-back splice joins north and south cables96-core north cable + 96-core south cable2 cores per node in each directionany single cut leaves every node connectedEach cable in its own 1-way microduct;shared 7-way duct from the control roomto the start of each road. Cable installedby air-blown fiber (ABF).
Nodes on cablen
Cores per node4
Used cores4 × n
Spare cores144 − 4n
InputRoute survey, node list, cable stock
ChecksCore allocation, spare cores, splice count, duct capacity, link budget
Used forCable and microduct order, splicing plan, ABF works
Technical design

Data center layout and rack heat

Raised-floor data center with recorder racks grouped by road and a network row. Each rack has a power and heat table within the client limit on units per rack.

Road A NVRsRoad A NVRsRoad B NVRsRoad B NVRsRoad C NVRsNetworkraised floor · hot/cold aisles · racks grouped by roadTypical NVR rackNVR (4th gen)NVR (4th gen)Storage expansionStorage expansionStorage expansionStorage expansionFan tray + thermostatrack loading limited by client per rack
Rack itemQtyW eachTotal WBTU/hr
NVR, large27501,5005,115
NVR, standard45002,0006,820
Rack fans with thermostat17607602,592
Rack total4,26014,527
InputRecorder and expansion counts, device power
ChecksUnits per rack, kW and BTU/hr per rack, airflow
Used forRack order, HVAC brief, cabling plan
Technical design

Integration with the existing control room

The new network ties into the existing monitoring centre over fiber, with an MPLS WAN to remote sites and wireless links from towers to PTZ cameras.

Remote site camerasindustrial switchMPLS WANtelecom operatorCE routerC8300CE routerredundantCatalyst switch stackexisting coreVideo serversNVR · DSS · EVSNew MCR networkNexus coreAccess switchesSG350X · operatorsTower site Abase stationTower site Bbase stationSecond monitoringbuildingpoint-to-multipoint wirelessto remote PTZ cameras10G fiber between buildings
InputExisting network, remote sites, towers
DecisionsFiber between buildings, WAN for remote sites, wireless where fiber cannot reach
Used forInterfaces with the operator and the existing integrator
Technical design

Pole designs and components

Two pole types with a standard installation model: enclosure high on the pole, UPS at the base, and separate routes for power, fiber and UTP inside the pole.

outdoor enclosure1 kVA UPS11 m pole · panoramic + fixedoutdoor enclosure1 kVA UPS7 m pole · PTZ or fixedInside the poleElectrical cableFiber drop cableUTP to camerasHatch doors for cable handling at topand base; cable covers between pole,enclosure and UPS; concrete foundationwith earthing pit at the base.
ComponentRole on the pole
Panoramic camera (80 to 320 MP)Wide-area coverage from one pole; 10G fiber to distribution
PTZ camera (laser IR)Detail and tracking; 24 V DC supply
Fixed 20 MP / 8 MP cameraSpot coverage; 12 V DC supply, IR illuminator
Outdoor camera housingWeather protection for fixed cameras
Cleaning systemWasher tank and pump for camera windows; 24 V AC supply
Industrial field switchPoE and fiber uplink for PTZ and fixed cameras
Outdoor UPS 1 kVARide-through for every node
StabilizerClean supply from an unstable feed
Protection unitMCB and surge protection at the incomer
Outdoor enclosure / 9U rackPDU, PSUs, splice tray and switch
InputCamera mix per pole, mounting heights
ChecksArm length, clearances, enclosure and UPS dimensions
Used forPole fabrication, installation guide, works approvals
Technical design

Pole power SLD and earthing

Power chain from the utility feed to each device on the pole, and the earthing detail for every pole.

Main supply220 VProtection unitMCB + surgeStabilizerOutdoor UPSwith batteriesPDUin 9U rackPanoramic cameraFixed camera PSU12 V DCPTZ PSU24 V DCWasher PSU24 V ACField switchRack fan3 × 2 mm² from supply to UPS3 × 1 mm² from PDU to loadsEach load on its own PDU outlet; UTP from the switch to the cameras
Earth bartest linkInspection pitconcrete covercopper ground rod with driving head,rod-to-wire clamp, exothermic weldpole, enclosure, UPS and camera bonded to one earth
InputDevice power ratings, feed quality
ChecksCable sizes, protection, UPS autonomy, earth path
Used forElectrical installation and inspection
Field document

Unpacking and installation guides

Step-by-step guides I wrote for the panoramic cameras, with an Arabic version for site teams, so every unit is received, checked and installed the same way.

Unpacking guide
  1. Photograph both packages and check for shipping damage
  2. Check package contents against the list (camera, console, cables, tubes, seals)
  3. Safety notes: three people, never lift by sunshields, cables or tubes
  4. Cut straps, remove the box sides and edge protectors
  5. Open the wooden crate and rotate it 90°
  6. Remove protective foams and the upper sunshield
  7. Release the camera from the console and lay it on its foam
  8. Remove the console for mounting
  9. External visual check
  10. Record serial number and IP address on the checklist
Installation guide
  1. Mount the console on the pole arm
  2. Hang the camera on the console
  3. Remove the port cover
  4. Connect fiber and network
  5. Insert dehumidifier packets
  6. Refit the port cover
  7. Connect the power cable
  8. Fit the water filling tube
  9. Fill the washer tank
  10. Check wiper blades
  11. Connect to the network or directly to the recorder
  12. Register the camera in the VMS
Field document

Works approval checklist

Per-location checklist submitted for approval after installation: every device with model, serial and status, plus civil works.

#Item at locationModel / serialStatusNotes
120 MP fixed camera…OK / NO
2Panoramic camera…OK / NO
3PTZ camera…OK / NO
4Industrial field switch…OK / NO
5Stabilizer…OK / NO
6Outdoor UPS 1 kVA…OK / NO
7Protection unit…OK / NO
8PSU 12 V DC, fixed camera…OK / NO
9PSU 24 V AC, washer system…OK / NO
10PSU 24 V DC, PTZ camera…OK / NO
11Civil works…OK / NO
Project document

Project schedule

One road project of about four months: supply, civil and fiber works, pole installation, splicing and testing, active equipment and control room, then testing and camera field-of-view adjustment.

Month 1Month 2Month 3Month 4Supply of equipment and materialsFiber infrastructureTrenching and manholesMicroduct layingAir-blown micro fiberBackfill and restorationPole foundationsPole installationFiber splicing and terminationOTDR and power meter testsActive equipment on polesControl room and data centerTesting and field-of-view adjustment

Start depended on two conditions: a power source at every pole from the governorate, and supply and installation of the active network by the network integrator.

ToolMS Project, one schedule per road
StructureSupply, civil and infrastructure, fiber, poles, active equipment, control room, testing
Used forClient reporting, subcontractor planning, resource loading

All diagrams are redrawn abstractions. Equipment families are named; site names, per-site quantities and company branding are not shown.