Case Studies

Development Alternatives, Inc.

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Challenge:

In addressing ever-increasing business opportunities, Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) outgrew its headquarters building several years ago and was forced to expand to another nearby location. As Lilleth Robinson, home office systems administrator for DAI recalls, the company's networking team was under a tight timeframe to connect the two facilities while providing 20 employees with seamless access to corporate systems, files and applications. "We looked at leasing Gigabit Ethernet lines from the local service provider but were concerned about timing and the recurring monthly lease fees," she says. "So, we also looked at emerging optical wireless links based on free space optics (FSO) technology that could deliver up to 1.25 Gbps capacity."

LightPointe Solution:

DAI deployed a LightPointe FlightStrata Gigabit Ethernet link between its two Washington, D.C. sites in February 2005. With bandwidth speeds up to 1.25 Gbps, the FlightStrata Gigabit accommodates the most data-intensive enterprise networks while offering advanced features for ensuring maximum network performance. The system includes Multi-Beam Array Tracking (MBAT), Automatic Power Control (APC) and Optical Beam Shaping (OPS) to ensure system redundancy via multiple send and receive paths, additional power during reduced weather visibility and continuous adjustment to address any movement from building sway.

Sound Byte:

"This was one of the fastest and most straightforward network expansions we've completed to date. The LightPointe link performed exactly as described and we were able to provide secure, high-speed access to DAI's LAN as though everyone was located in the same building."
— Sanjin Sahadzic, Network Planning Manager, Development Alternatives, Inc.

www.dai.com