Foundry Networks’ VoIP upgrade for Prodrive

Prodrive, the motorsport and automotive engineering group, has upgraded its LAN with technology from Foundry Networks Inc, which provides switching, routing, security and Web traffic management solutions.

Prodrive’s existing infrastructure was struggling to cope with a substantial increase in data traffic, including large quantities of design, simulation and telemetry information which is shared around Prodrive’s campus network.

The company has now installed Foundry’s FastIron(r) SX Layer 2/3 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) and FastIron Edge Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches at headquarters in Banbury.

The upgrade covers the main administrative buildings and eight buildings where rally and racing cars are built.

The buildings have been connected with dual fibre links, providing additional bandwidth and network functionality, and allowing Prodrive to deploy additional IP-based applications, including VoIP.

The provision of VoIP will support Prodrive’s business internationally, enabling collaborative working across sites through application sharing and video conferencing.

Prodrive is also planning to upgrade its network at its automotive technology centre in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.