The Advantages of a SiteBoss Site Controller
For network operators and telecommunications professionals, the SiteBoss family of site controllers offers an advanced, flexible, simple, and supported solution. In this guide, we will cover the advantages of a SiteBoss, how it compares within the family of products, and examples of how it’s used in some businesses today.
Telecom sites are evolving to include many new intelligent subsystem controllers for DC rectifiers, generators, cameras, access controllers, and HVAC.
What is a SiteBoss?
The SiteBoss appliance is an intelligent telecom site automation device for improving the efficiency and resilience of telecom sites and networks. The device simplifies and centralizes all the data from a wide range of different makes and models of equipment and sensors at your site, giving visibility and control of those systems.
By having a modular design, the SiteBoss can cost-effectively interface to ANY combination of power, security, and environmental sub-systems you have at a remote telecom site. The Linux-based device is easy to set up and work with and uses open protocols like SNMP, RESTful API, browser-based UI, and user-accessible scripting languages.
The 5 Major Types of Interfaces
- Power
- Physical Security
- Environmental
- Networking
- Legacy Alarms
Power
Site power is one of the most critical variables at any telecom site. SiteBoss units enable automation related to power to increase site life and reduce costs. The list below is a representative list of variables that the SiteBoss can easily monitor, enabling various applications and automation to be created.
Physical Security
Direct physical security of a site can be directly related to site resilience. Theft or someone directly harming a site can both lead to network downtime and costly repairs. In some cases, without a method of measuring variables at the site, theft or damage could occur and not be known about until a crisis caused a site to fail. A simple example of this would be diesel fuel theft, with no knowledge of the low fuel condition until the generator fails to start when needed.
Environmental
Site environment is a key variable in both the cost of operating and resilience of the site. Several simple important variables can be measured, but the most interesting applications relate to the SiteBoss taking over network-wide control of the HVAC.
Networking
Many of the most interesting applications relate to the SiteBoss’ onboard LUA scripting language and the RESTful API. The SiteBoss is connected to all major site sub-systems and can make decisions based on complex logic.
Legacy Alarms
Asentria can provide support as an upgrade path for legacy alarms. We have the ability to create custom cables or adapters to enable an easy way to move legacy contact alarms to the SiteBoss. This is common where alarm contacts have been terminated from a punch-down block to a legacy device (e.g., Badger RTU, or 2G/3G RAN that is being decommissioned). The SiteBoss can simplify the removal of legacy devices by taking over these alarms with a minimum of new cabling labor.
The Modern Remote Site Monitoring Solution
Network operators have an opportunity to use telecom site automation to create competitive differentiation for themselves. The SiteBoss is an appliance that any operator could own, but the operational processes that are built around the SiteBoss are owned by the customer. Telecom site automation pairs well with existing initiatives to “harden” networks or achieve power efficiencies. Download our 16-page guide for complete details, product matrix comparison, and examples.
