Recorded Webinar
Best Practices for Successful IT/OT Network Convergence
Date held: November 20, 2019Learn how to successfully implement a converged information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) network from a utility that has navigated the challenge. This webinar provides information on the challenges faced by Central Lincoln PUD and the solution they are implementing. It also explains how innovative technology from SEL helped address the challenge of segregating critical OT traffic from IT services and preserved the network performance needed for protection applications.
We cover the following topics:
- Networking challenges facing Central Lincoln PUD.
- The structured process Central Lincoln PUD used to evaluate technology and vendor solutions.
- How Central Lincoln PUD migrated existing applications, including teleprotection and legacy interfaces, and addressed future requirements (e.g., video, synchrophasors, earthquake sensors, and cybersecurity).
- Overall methodology and the importance of involving all key stakeholders.
- How Central Lincoln PUD arrived at their final conclusion and what it looks like.
- Practical steps involved in migrating a live network based on SONET to a packet-based network.
- Implementation results for Phase 1 provisioning.
- How the SEL ICON and virtual synchronous networking (VSN) played a key role in the final solution.
Senior Product Manager, SEL
Paul is a senior product manager at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL). He has over 25 years of experience developing and marketing products for the telecommunications industry, spanning cellular wireless and wireline communications systems. Paul worked in various technical and marketing roles for Motorola, Hewlett-Packard, and Agilent Technologies before joining SEL. He has a BEng in electrical and electronic engineering from the University of Strathclyde and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School.
Network Engineer, Central Lincoln People’s Utility District
Ron Beck is the Network Engineer for the Central Lincoln People’s Utility District in Newport, Oregon. In this role, he is responsible for the design, engineering, and construction of the utility’s telecommunications systems, local- and wide-area networks, and cybersecurity systems. He was the primary architect of the communications infrastructure for CLPUD’s Smart Grid Investment Grant and Grid Modernization projects.
He served as Chairman of the Board of the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) and has supported the council in various technical and leadership roles over the past 27 years.
He is presently serving on the UTC Board of Directors as the Past Chairman, is a member of the InfraGuard Oregon Alliance Chapter, is engaged with the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at NIST, and is an active member in several other industry advisory efforts.
Mr. Beck is an advocate of the connected grid, a frequent speaker on subjects related to utility telecommunications modernization, and an active supporter of all things networked.