Ceitronics' Leading Internet Clients Demand Fast-Tracked Connectivity and High Tech Security

The Internet is driving what may be the most rapid restructuring of business ever seen, redefining exactly what a company is, and how it operates with its customers and business partners. From the early days of online service providers to today’s exploding world of IPOs, the Internet has become a place where a wide spectrum of services springs to life. Ceitronics provides state-of-the-art connectivity and security to many of the leading Internet companies, in a variety of niches. Ceitronics’ Internet clients include CNET.com, Flycast Communications, AboveNet Communications, AOL, and Level 3 Communications.

This new wave of companies encompasses a range of Internet-related activities: CNET.com is a provider of information about technology on the Internet and through TV programs; Flycast Communications helps E-commerce companies, direct-response marketers, and interactive agencies plan Web advertising campaigns, and sells ads on its network of nearly 800 affiliated Web sites; AboveNet Communications offers outsourced Internet hosting and connectivity services; AOL is the world’s #1 provider of online services; and Level 3 Communications is building an international network with advanced Internet protocol (IP). (See above chart.)

CNET.com, a worldwide leader in technology news and information distributed over the Web and television, first retained Ceitronics in 1996 to design and install an innovative open architecture wiring system for its corporate headquarters. The CNET.com headquarters, at 150 Chestnut Street in San Francisco, is a sprawling facility that was originally designed as a gym and racquetball court. The wiring system was built by Ceitronics with custom-colored green and yellow Category 5 cable, which stretches out in exposed pathways over ceilings and walls throughout the headquarters. Most companies hide the cabling behind walls, ceilings, and floors, but CNET.com uses the connecting cables like abstract art, to make a unique visual statement.

The open architecture was part of CNET.com’s fresh approach to technology. The CNET.com web site serves millions of users each day, and media analysts consistently list CNET.com as one of the 20 most popular Web properties. The company’s television programming is broadcast by the USA network and the Sci-Fi Channel to more than 70 million households and is syndicated to broadcast television stations in the nation’s top markets. The company’s young and visionary staff wanted the interior design of the headquarters to reflect this cutting-edge approach.

The architect, Tanner Leddy Maytum Stacy, San Francisco, created a concept to showcase the routing equipment and physical points of connection in a fully-exposed, open wiring design throughout the building. Ceitronics acted as the design-build contractor, installing networked cable, fiber optics, and Category 5 twisted pair in an open cable tray system that shares ceiling space with exposed electrical and air conditioning utilities.

Mike Dierickx, Ceitronics project manager, worked with a committee of designers and CNET.com executives who selected the final color scheme and routing. “The ultimate goal of the design was to reflect an atmosphere of creativity, technology, and connectedness,” Dierickx said. After committee discussion and experimentation with color combinations of cables and jacks, CNET.com decided to have Ceitronics install green data circuits and yellow voice lines, instead of the traditional gray and blue. The yellow and green wires were carefully combed into the cable support tray, and Ceitronics had the nylon tie wraps dyed to match the cable jacket colors. Network equipment and wire-management patch panels were located in open cages that accent the high-tech look of the hallways in the building.

Because of the open architecture, wire management was critical from the beginning of the job to the end. The wiring needed not only to be completely systemized and organized, but also had to look totally pristine, even artistic, like the abstract art it is.

After completion of the open wiring architecture system, Ceitronics has continued to provide ongoing cabling services to the company. CNET.com recently expanded into four new San Francisco locations and retained Ceitronics to wire the company’s new telephone system. Within a tight time frame, Ceitronics technicians identified and labeled all the voice extensions in the telecom closets of the four buildings, and installed the cable at over 500 stations. The identifications and labeling of the extensions enabled the phone company to remove the old switches and phones and install new equipment over one weekend, with a minimum of disruption to CNET.com’s operations.

“The job was totally seamless,” said Joe Longwello, manager of facilities for CNET.com. “The phone company did their thing over the weekend, and Ceitronics’ work was so accurate that it all went flawlessly.”

While innovative cabling design was a requirement at CNET.com, AboveNet Communications, a premier provider of co-location and Internet connectivity solutions, wanted stringent security for its new co-location facility in a downtown San Jose office high-rise.

Security at co-location facilities is an ongoing concern because of the need to provide complete protection of confidential data stored on servers within the building by client corporations. AboveNet must ensure against unauthorized entry and use of equipment, as well as sabotage, vandalism and theft. In addition, AboveNet must protect the safety of its employees.

The AboveNet co-location facility features a complete security arsenal installed by Ceitronics, including card access control systems to admit users into the Co-Lo area, panic switches, motion detectors, door contacts, and security cameras. For even more confidentiality, customers can purchase different levels of security within the Co-Lo area, varying from an open server, to an equipment cabinet with a locked door, to an equipment rack within a cage.

These Internet companies, as well as others, face ever-expanding opportunities and challenges as they discover the new world of online business. Ceitronics is committed to using its state-of-the-art expertise, experience, and skilled technicians to provide connectivity solutions as unique and inventive as our clients.

Illustrations
1. Anatomy of an Internet Server Farm (outside)
2. Anatomy of an Internet Server Farm POSTER! Available Down

Other Features
1. Newly awarded Ceitronics Projects
2. Origins of the Internet
3. Ceitronics Connects Internet Companies Matrix