Rosenberger OSI supplies an ultra-high-density system to implement a complex data center protection concept

 

Classified information demands confidentiality and sophisticated security arrangements

Communication solutions for public administrations are particularly critical. The digital systems used in this area have to meet specific security criteria in order to avoid jeopardizing the sovereignty of public authorities. Penta Infra data centers comply with these security standards, which is why many IT service providers operate their infrastructures in precisely these facilities. An ultra-high-density (UHD) system from Rosenberger OSI was recently included as an integral part of the optimized security concept. Combined with specially developed screening for the cabling, the solution protects the critical digital data exchange like a fortress.

Germany’s digital sovereignty stands and falls by the ability of the body politic to react to crises. The exchange of sensitive information demands a wide-ranging security concept. In addition to day-to-day messages, it is also necessary to transfer classified information in order to keep the political machinery working. That is why providers of IT services to the federal government are subject to particularly exacting requirements. The government entrusts the task of constructing and operating systems used to transfer sensitive information to specialized service providers that possess not only the necessary technical expertise but also extensive security skills. In some cases, the state’s IT infrastructure is operated in the exceptionally secure, networked data centers run by Penta Infra.

 

The implemented solutions are subject to ongoing optimization and the security standards are constantly upgraded. Recently, it was decided to extend the range of options offered by the existing infrastructure and make it possible to achieve a higher packing density. That is why, at an event related to this issue, the company responsible for the security arrangements contacted the cabling specialists from Rosenberger OSI. And the security specialists then went through every aspect of the product offering from Augsburg in great detail. The result: After another brief market evaluation, the contract to implement the new solution was awarded to Rosenberger OSI.

Security concept for special needs

The service provider’s requirements were identified in detail at a kick-off meeting held in December 2023. Various special needs were also expressed in order to ensure complete compliance with the demanding security requirements. The cabling specialist’s dedicated team then developed a bespoke offer in response to this requirements catalogue. After the supply chain processes had been clarified and the scheduling defined, the project received the definitive go-ahead in March 2024. It was then necessary to move quickly because the tight schedule allowed only six weeks for project completion. As data center operator, Penta Infra was involved as of the decision-making phase because the lease agreement between the security company and the facility operator stipulates that the procurement of all materials and services must be handled exclusively via Penta Infra.

In the light of the requirements identified during the kick-off meeting, Rosenberger OSI recommended installing a PreCONNECT® SMAP-G2 UHD ultra-high-density system. PreCONNECT® SMAP-G2 UHD provides a high packing density together with integrated slots for a very wide range of cable types. In this way, it is possible to integrate and cater for a large number of different cables – from copper through to fiber-optic and in both multimode and singlemode. What is more, the slots can be arranged in response to requirements, meaning that they can be used extremely flexibly within the rack. However, the high packing density is preserved at all times.

 

Special wishes fulfilled

The security company’s wish to set up two highly secure connections represented a particular challenge. This approach is necessary because the cages in the data center are situated in two different locations and housed in separate fire compartments. This structure is intended to protect the connecting cables against external attacks in order to screen off the customer’s critical data traffic.

Rosenberger OSI developed and manufactured a 48-channel trunk cable and the associated special cladding specifically to meet this requirement. As a result, the two cages, which are located in two different fire compartments, are connected in a unique way and protected against unwanted attacks as if by bullet-proof glass. This is necessary because the link between the two cages has to pass through a public access area. Compliance with the customer’s security requirements between the two fire compartments in this sector is not adequately guaranteed. To prevent the cable from attacks, the security company therefore wanted a special tamper-proof cladding.

 

“With this complex security project, Rosenberger OSI has clearly demonstrated its technical expertise and absolute customer focus,” says Torsten Junges, Sales Manager Germany/Austria/Switzerland at Penta Infra. “The concept, the responsiveness to the customer’s specific wishes and the fast, expert implementation in our data center – everything went smoothly and everyone involved has been impressed. As a result, we will implement further projects together with the cable experts in the future, both nationally and in our European partner countries.”

 

The team of developers at the Augsburg headquarters designed the protective cladding, which was developed specifically for the security company. Assembly was then performed by the specialists at the production site in Hungary, where the specially developed solution was quickly completed. The two teams worked together closely, meaning that the customer was able to rely on very rapid implementation. This was necessary because only a comparatively short time span of approximately six weeks was planned from placement of the order through to completion of installation and commissioning.

Rosenberger OSI’s Berlin-based service team ensured that the schedule was adhered to. Between three and five specialists were present on-site during the various implementation phases. They installed all the components of the solution package in the Penta Infra data center and got it ready for productive operation. Very close communication with the end customer and the data center operator’s team was vital during all project phases. This is because Rosenberger OSI’s Berlin-based team of specialists is responsible not only for project planning and implementation but also for servicing the new system, and it will continue to place its expertise at the disposal of the security project in the future. This project for a demanding customer operating in the security sector has laid the foundation for future collaboration. 

 

Sustainable data centers are the path to success

Penta Infra offers flexible, sustainable, carrier-neutral, compliant colocation in a large number of state-of-the-art data centers covering Europe’s rapidly-growing digital core and edge. Strategic locations, extensive connectivity and scalable design ensure high performance and short latencies and boost the growth of customers and partners alike.

Penta Infra has concentrated on the complete internal conversion of its older facilities in order to create new, versatile, sustainable and client-compatible data centers. The company can look back on a year of hard work and noteworthy success. Since acquiring its first data center in Geleen in 2015, Penta Infra has purchased facilities in Leipzig and Cologne (2017), Berlin (2018), Düsseldorf and Hamburg (2019), Leeuwarden (2020) and Copenhagen (2021) and has converted them from the inside out. In 2023, these were joined by sites in Paris, Amsterdam and then Brussels (2024), increasing the number of facilities owned and run by Penta Infra to twelve. The company places great value on sustainability, with 100 % renewable energies, ESG-linked finance and an award-winning design for shared heat use.

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