Suite User Networks
Most users in a shared space just want to plug in and start work. But actually, users present the centre with a wide range of different ways of working. If you can't fulfill these needs immediately you can lose business or destroy confidence.
Medusa uses "Suites" - isolated secure networks for each company, referred to by the customer name. While there are a huge range of settable options, most users just plug in PC and laptop and just work.
Medusa Traffic management applies to all Suites of whatever nature.
Each suite has full billing, usage, reporting and diagnostics facilities accessible from the easy to use web screens. All you have to do is remember the customer's name!
About 80% of shared space users have no network equipment. They expect the centre to provide them with the resources to work and make them safe behind a corporate-class firewall.
Technically the Medusa-managed suite is a "local IP" DHCP network, including the following popular features:
- DHCP and static IP scope with full local class C range per customer; ideal for printers and servers on customer's network
- DHCP on/off, and options
- Local IP address "MAC based" reservation to use DHCP for static local addresses
- PUBLIC IP forwarding by protocol/port pair to target local IP - this provides remote access to the customer network without any additional customer equipment
- Public IP "tagging" to uniquely identify customer traffic on the Internet without additional customer equipment
- "Roaming" if support by the centre (see Wifi and Hotdesks)
Conventional Suites are presented with one port per workstation (Server) or one port per Suite (Mini) in which case the centre or customer adds their own "dumb" switch.
A significant minority of shared-space customers want to be secure behind their own gateway device: Firewall, Router, or Server. For these Medusa provides a routed public IP, which effectively extends the public Internet into the customers suite. Customers use the following popular features:
- Add Public IP or IPs to their gateway devices (router, firewall or server)
- Add multiple IPs for route resilience and/or function separation.
- Mix Medusa local and Public IPs on same network to create DMZs, hosted functions etc;
- Bind Public IPs by MAC address
- For Patchless operation, Medusa offers "Private" network ports that have no services on them and are used by the customer for their own private network
Just as with Conventional Suites, Self-Managed customers can use the Medusa switches for each workstation (SERVER) or one port only (Mini or Server).
Most centres have a space for periodic workers (Hotdesks), virtual office customers and visitors. There is also meeting and break out space to manage, cafes, exteriors. The Medusa HOTDESK function (Option or bundled) provides a solution for these workers:
- Timed access by username and password - control who has access and for how long
- Once-only login - system remembers the equipment and does not require repeated logins
- Single login - users cannot share their passwords without disconnecting themselves
- Isolated secure use - no one can access their equipment
- Billing by indovidual account
The travelling professional is an important growth market sector.
See also HOTDESK-2 for the branded portal with multi-site membership (The CLUB), payment options and multi-level performance options.
Apart from customer newtorks, many locations need a common or utility network that allows customers to secure access some common resource. Technically called a DMZ and on Medusa a "Special Utility Suite", this network ensures that customers own security is not breached while accessing the resource. Typical use includes:
- Printer / copier / scanner / fax
- Voice switches (there are special Avaya/Cisco/Shoretel/Mitel arrangements - see the voice section)
- Access control and security
- Cameras
- Shared IT resources such as onsite backup, special servers.
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