Transcript FlexNet System Overview

FLEXNET SYSTEM OVERVIEW
© 2013 Sensus. All rights reserved.
C-PAMRAMI-WGE-0118
Module Goals
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The goals of this module are to:
Introduce the Sensus Advanced Metering
Infrastructure (AMI) FlexNet System.
Section One
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Introduction to
FlexNet
Section One Objectives
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Following this section, you should be able to:
1. List the three main components of the
FlexNet system.
2. State the function of the each of these
components.
3. Describe the high-level flow of data through
the FlexNet System.
Major Components of FlexNet System
FlexNet System Overview
Regional Network Interface
(RNI)
Backhaul
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FlexNet Smart Meter Component Overview
FlexNet System Overview
• Measures and stores service usage, status and
routing data
• Sends data to the collection device (Base Station)
• Key components include:
– Metrology: performs the measurement
– SmartPoint modules: provide two-way radio
communications with Base Station
• Typically installed in a pit, on the side of building,
basements, etc.
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FlexNet Base Station Component Overview
FlexNet System Overview
• Serves as the data collector; receives data from the
smart meter and other SmartPoint modules
• Forwards that data to the RNI
• Key components include:
– Transceiver unit: receives and transmits the data
– Antenna: receives data
• Installed inside or outside;
ground cabinet or on service
pole or high point of building
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RNI Component Overview
FlexNet System Overview
• Stores the meter and system data
• Processes data for diagnostics, reporting, routing and
other applications
• Key components include:
– Hardware servers
– Software applications
– Databases
• Installed in Sensus data center or
utility’s climate controlled
environment
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Summary of FlexNet In-bound Data Flow
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Collects
and
forwards
data to RNI
RNI
Measures
service
usage and
sends to
the Base
Station
Base Station
Smart Meter
FlexNet System Overview
Processes
and stores
usage,
status and
routing
data
RNI End-to-End Security Features
RNI Features
• User authentication and authorization
– LDAP or Active Directory stores
– Unique usernames/passwords
– Password policies
• Data encryption
– Ensures data is communicated privately and safely
– Meter data, RNI data
– AES-256 algorithm, plus keys
• System access control
– Virtual Private Network (VPN)
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RNI Scalability
RNI Features
• The system can be tuned to each network’s unique
endpoint and data volume requirements
• Accommodates growth as a utility expands meter
deployments throughout its service territory
• Additional services such as water, gas, electric, HAN,
or street lighting may be included as the utility’s
services evolve
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RNI Disaster Recovery Provisions
RNI Features
• A disaster recovery plan establishes policies and
procedures to ensure recovery or continuation of an
organization’s critical technology infrastructure after
a natural or human-induced disaster
• FlexNet supports the utility’s business continuity
through its disaster recovery processes
• For customers with managed solutions, all data is
replicated and stored onsite and offsite to ensure
high availability of the system and data
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Questions
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Learning Check
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Question:
1. What are the three key components of the
FlexNet System?
a) Meters, Base Station, Antenna
b) Smart Meters, Base Station, RNI
c) Smart Point modules, Antenna, RNI
d) Lights, Base Station, RNI
Learning Check
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Question:
2. What is the function of the RNI?
a) Pass raw usage data to the Base Station
b) Receive and forward data from SmartPoint
c) Process and store meter and system data
d) Measure service consumption
Learning Check
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Question:
3. True or false. The function of the base station is
to measure and collect usage data for the
False
utility. ________
Learning Check
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Question:
4. What path does meter consumption data take
to get from the meter to the RNI database?
a) Smart Point module > Network tunnel > RNI
b) Smart Meter > Network Repeater > RNI
c) Web interface > Base Station >RNI
d) Smart Meter > Base Station > RNI
Learning Check
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Question:
5. Which of the following RNI features is NOT a
component of the end-to-end security offered
by the FlexNet system?
a) Encryption
b) Scalability
c) VPN
d) Passwords
Learning Check
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Question:
6. The FlexNet system can be scaled to
accommodate which of the following factors?
a) Increased data volume
b) Additional services
c) Additional endpoints
d) All of the above
Section Two
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RNI Role in FlexNet
Section Two Objectives
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Following this section, you should be able to:
1. Describe the capabilities of the RNI that
support a reliable, effective, and accurate
utility metering application.
Utility Mission
RNI Features
• Obtain operational excellence and be a profitable
enterprise:
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–
–
–
–
–
–
–
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Provide reliable and timely service
Maintain service infrastructure
Locate and respond to service lapses
Streamline operations
Plan for future capacity
Identify service theft
Minimize resource losses
Cover expenses incurred with providing service to its
customers
How Does the RNI Support That?
RNI Features
• Provides the raw consumption and status data
gathered from the FlexNet system and stored in its
database for conversion into useful and meaningful
information
• RNI provides this data to utilities to:
1. Monitor and manage FlexNet components
2. Configure and control FlexNet components
3. Deliver accurate and complete consumption data
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1. Monitor and Manage FlexNet Components
RNI Features
• Provides ability to analyze and diagnose endpoint,
Base Station, and RNI network component health
and performance:
– Track installation of endpoints
– View meters with missing read data
– View meters with missing manufacturing information or
rate codes
– Track service losses (leaks, theft)
– View quality of RF signal and network communications
– Receive notifications of electrical outages
– View unauthorized access attempts
– Monitor database file space
– Monitor daily jobs
– Import/export reports
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2. Configure and Control FlexNet Components
RNI Features
• Provides ability to specify endpoint, Base Station,
and RNI network configurations and behavior:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Connect/disconnect service
Set thresholds for alarms
Create and modify application user accounts
Schedule readings, jobs, upgrades
Active/deactivate encryption
Set critical peak pricing
Reprogram endpoints
˃ Change meter ID and customer ID, Ping type,
response mode, read interval, transmit rate,
channel frequency, location information, etc.
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3. Deliver Accurate and Complete Consumption Data
RNI Features
• Provides ability to produce accurate billing:
– Determine the frequency and quantity of data to collect
for billing
– Track meters that consistently miss reads
– Backfill usage data as it becomes available
– Export billing data using standard gateway interfaces or
Web interface
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Summary of FlexNet Out-bound Data Flow
FlexNet System Overview
Monitoring
and Reporting
RNI
Database
(FlexWare, Device
Manager, Gateway
interfaces)
Configuration
and Control
Meter Data
Management
(Logic)
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(FlexWare,
Device Manager,
Command Line)
Questions
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Learning Check
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Question:
1. Fill in the blank. RNI data is used for ________ .
a) Managing meter data in MDM systems
b) Configuring and controlling devices in Web
Interfaces
c) Preparing billing data using various gateway
interfaces
d) All of the above
Learning Check
Question:
2. Indicate whether each task is a monitoring and
management task (M) or a configuration and
control task (C) that can be performed in the
RNI.
͟ View meters with
M
missing read data
͟ Track installation of
M
endpoints
͟ Receive notifications of
C͟ Activate/deactivate M
encryption
electrical outages
͟ Track service losses C͟ Connect/disconnect service
M
͟ View quality of RF signal
C͟ Create and modify M
application user
and network
accounts
communications
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