* Cisco IPICS to merge disparate mobile devices
I described one possibility for merging islands of wireless communications into a nationwide public safety network in the Oct. 26 newsletter about Pronto Networks’ UniFi Digital Communities Grid. That effort is already tying together municipal networks in several states with common billing, settlement and application services.
In the wake of Hurricane Wilma’s wrath, we now have another emerging alternative: the Cisco Internet Protocol Interoperability and Communications System (IPICS), which the company publicly demonstrated last week. IPICS will IP-enable two-way radio communications, then, via a special server, integrate it with other voice communications and, eventually, data and video networking.
In addition to its potential for creating a public safety “network of networks,” the company also touts IPICS for applications in the transportation/logistics, retail and emergency healthcare industries — anywhere where closed two-way radio networks currently exist. The idea is to tie existing networks together rather than having governments and enterprises upgrade all their radios and equipment to common frequencies so they can intercommunicate.
In the Cisco model, devices that don’t already use IP plug into Cisco IP gateways; for example, cell phones with or without push-to-talk capabilities ultimately connect to a Cisco PSTN/voice-over-IP gateway, and two-way radios communicate to a Cisco LAN Mobile Radio Gateway. Once all communications are IP-enabled, the Cisco IPICS Linux-based LAN server takes over, functioning as the switchboard that allows disparate devices to communicate with one another.
Cisco has mentioned integrating global positioning systems, sensors and video surveillance systems into the IPICS platform.
Eventually, for example, once IPICS evolves, perhaps video cameras on a fire marshal’s helmet communicating with local surveillance cameras in a burning building would allow him or her to direct emergency personnel on the scene as to what is happening inside and prevent disaster.
At this juncture, no timeframe for commercial IPICS availability or pricing have been announced.
