In addition to expansion, Siriraj needed to improve the capability of its network to deploy new services. Siriraj reviewed several vendors looking for a cost-effective solution with solid reliability and high performance. Huawei-3Com (H3C) was selected based largely on its proven record of success on three previous projects with Siriraj Hospital.

Technology Solution
H3C designed and built a new networking infrastructure for Siriraj Hospital so it can better support its existing healthcare applications with GE level performance and carrier-class reliability. At the core layer, H3C deployed a S6506R high-end multi-service switch that provides 384 Gbps of switching capacity, a redundant MCU (main control unit) designed to reduce single-point of failure and up to 292 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces for high density GE-to-desktop performance. Adding further to reliability, the S6500 series switches feature redundant engines and power supplies and are hot swappable.

H3C deployed additional S6503 switches in the distribution layer with a switch in each of Siriraj Hospital's four buildings. In the access layer, multiple S3928P and S5624P series multi-layer Ethernet switches featuring H3C's unique IRF (Intelligent Resilient Framework) stacking technology, which enables network managers to build adaptable networks with high reliability, scalability and easy management. The S5600 series switches in the Siriraj network provide high port density with a Gigabit Ethernet uplink for wire-speed forwarding. Security capabilities are built-in and include IEEE 802.1x port based authentication for user-based, centralized authentication.

Why H3C?
Siriraj Hospital needed a more reliable, better performing network that offered scalability, easy management and interoperability to reduce both initial and long-term costs. H3C was able to provide an upgraded network infrastructure that exceeded these needs, but at a reasonable price. H3C's commitment to high quality technical service and installation support, both before and after the sale, made the deployment a smooth one.

The Benefits
H3C delivered a more reliable and faster performing network infrastructure to Siriraj Hospital to support the expansion of their services to a wider customer base. Utilizing the abundant features of the S6500 series switches, the new network provides a wide-scale intranet solution that covers 10 gigabit-to-backbone and 100 Mbps-to-desktop connections.

The H3C switches were totally interoperable with other vendor's equipment in the Siriraj network allowing for simplified installation and cost savings. Siriraj was able to see additional savings and high return on investment with the scalability and simplified management capabilities of the H3C solution, which fit well within their limited IT budget.