G8 in L’Aquila, Italy: Extreme Networks Provided Security, Reliability and Constant Connectivity

Published 3rd September 2009

As the world’s leaders recently united for the G8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy, they were supported in their initiative by a cutting-edge technological infrastructure, capable of providing total data traffic and Internet connection security.

Extreme Networks’ products were deployed to form the local network infrastructure by Elsag Datamant, responsible for the management of the large scale IT project required for the G8 summit.

During the 25-day conference, the local area network permitted not only traditional Internet access, but also use of multimedia content for information distribution, in both IPTV streaming and on-demand mode. In this highly sensitive environment, the key elements of the service were reliability, continuity and security, together with all-important high performance. Another key feature was the implementation of a Wi-Fi network coverage system allowing personnel involved in the summit to access the network from practically anywhere in the restricted area, whilst maintaining the measures for security and protection of exchanged information.

Each delegation was provided with its own logically dedicated Wi-Fi network, as were the press representatives. Each user could communicate, reassured by the knowledge that their information could not be seen, intercepted or used by others. In addition, login and authentication systems were adopted which also permitted tracing of malicious acts or unauthorised access.

For the implementation and the nature of the information shared on the network, solidity of the system was imperative. For this reason, systems capable of guaranteeing service continuity, even in the event of an attack on the network itself, were also deployed. Extreme Networks’ Sentriant NG300 systems supervised the network, ensuring smooth running and immunity to internet security threats, and protecting it from external interferences, both malicious and benign.

These solutions were integrated directly by Extreme Networks, who were responsible for both the design and the creation and configuration of the system as a whole. This ensured that Extreme Networks provided the very highest levels of accuracy, flexibility and professionalism required for high-speed management of an installation of such capabilities and complexity.

Technical Features of the System
The Wi-Fi infrastructure was created through installation of approximately 400 Wireless Access Points controlled by 6 centralised Summit WM200 and Summit WM20 controllers, which provided the basis for configuration of all security appliances for effective data traffic segregation.

The network architecture was created with a 10Gbps backbone in “collapsed core” mode with chassis switches from the Black Diamond 8810 series used as cores and switches from the Summit X450 series dedicated to access. In addition, a further aggregation layer was provided using Summit X650 machines capable of aggregating 10Gbps connections originating from aggregation switches.

At logic level, a routing structure was selected in order to optimise implementation of policies of redundancy and effective information exchange between the core layer and the aggregation layer. Redundancy on the access switches was created using the features of the EAPS (Ethernet Automatic Protection Switching) L2 protocol, making it possible to reduce convergence times to a maximum of 50ms in the event of a fault.

Detailed Product Data Sheet
Core Switches: Black Diamond 8810
Aggregation Switches: Summit X650 (10Gbps Aggregator)
Access Switches: Summit X450
Wireless: Altitude 451 Extr Ant Access Points
Controllers: Summit WM20/200
Sentriant NG300 appliances to protect the network from attacks, both internal and external.