Leading UK professional audio and AV suppliers and 19 inch racking specialists Pro Audio Stash (PAS) has delivered a massive custom design and manufacturing project for multinational internet hosting company, Peer 1.
St Leonards, East Sussex based Pro Audio Stash is well known for its off-the -shelf product ranges for home cinema and AV sectors, and also for creating bespoke metalwork solutions for the AV and IT industries. It was approached by Peer 1 to design and build a specially tailored server rack and shelving system to house multiple Juniper SSG5 firewall devices for its new data centre in Southampton.
Peer 1 contacted pro Audio Stash after finding their contact details on the web and invited them to submit some ideas and concepts.
The company has a strong presence on the web for its wide range of 19” products and Peer 1's decision was based on an understanding that Pro Audio Stash knew what they were trying to achieve and that the manufacturing facilities could produce what was required. All of which came across in the initial phone call.
The design brief had three main requirements. Firstly there had to be a dedicated channel for each firewall to keep the units stable and upright. Secondly, the SSG5 power supplies all needed to be positioned at the back of their individual racks to enable good ventilation and be easily identifiable for access and maintenance. Thirdly, each shelf had to accommodate between 10 and 11 firewall devices .
Says Pro Audio Stash Managing Director Robert Platt, “We have undertaken many IT related projects in the past, but this represents a real diversity and is one of the largest we have completed for this sector. With firewalls at the core of any internet based business, it was a challenging brief that required imagination and lateral thinking. It also resulted in some serious teamwork between us and Peer 1 to ensure that they received the appropriate solution”.
Elements to be considered by the Pro Audio Stash design team included the strength of the units, heating/ventilation issues, and whether the products will need to be updated or modified in the future. The R ‘n' D process involved good and high levels of communication between Pro Audio Stash and Peer 1 throughout, before moving into the first prototype build.
This was accepted first time by Peer 1, and so went directly into full production in Pro Audio Stash's CNC machining facility, which includes laser cutters for full accuracy and efficiency.
The final products feature vented dividers riveted to a 5U shelf, with folded tabs at the rear to hold the firewalls secure and prevent them from tipping or falling out. The vented dividers extend right to the back of the shelves allowing the individual power supplies to be easily identified and managed.
The entire project – from conception to completion – was delivered in just three weeks, ready for installation by Peer 1 in Southampton.
Says Platt, “The quick turnaround was possible because we have all the talents, skills and resources in house to manufacture on this scale and to the highest standards. We are also geared to being flexible and able to react quickly to client ideas, needs and requirements”
Peer 1's Mike Duncan comments, “I required a method to safely and neatly manage my customers managed firewalls. There is nothing on the market that met my exact requirements so I contacted Pro Audio Stash and gave them the brief: Adequate cooling, maintaining density, price and most importantly, safe support for the firewalls and their PSUs. All helping PEER 1 drive on its 100% uptime guarantee. The service I received from Pro Audio Stash was superb. Fast, friendly and delivered to all my exacting specifications. Great! “
For full details, please check
https://www.proaudiostash.co.uk/custom-projects/peer-1/
For more press information on Pro audio Stash, please contact Louise Stickland on +44 (0)1865 202679 or +44 (0)7831 329888 or Email me :[email protected]. To contact Pro Audio Stash direct, check : www.proaudiostash.co.uk or call +44 1424 429641