SLM Solutions – relies on a secure, stable and intelligent Aruba network.

Starting point.

SLM Solutions’ customers greatly appreciate the SLM® machines’ maximum productivity thanks to the patented multi-laser technology, high material density and component quality through innovative gas flow management and the latest process monitoring as a result of different quality modules. As a technology leader and pioneer with decades of experience in the metal-based additive production market, SLM Solutions is setting standards.

Using the patented SLM® process, high-quality functional components are manufactured from metal powders using CAD data and 3D laser technology. This layering process can be used with a wide range of metals and is, therefore, in high demand. SLM Solutions were therefore looking to expand and planned to move the company headquarters to a 25,000 square metre new-build in Lübeck-Genin, in which the entire network needed to be set up to ensure efficient production and management.

Project objectives.

SLM Solutions required a new and, above all, future-oriented network that embedded the existing components from the previous location as far as possible. The network should have a redundant and highly-available core structure with central components while the Wi-Fi infrastructure needed to support guest access, BYOD and Voice over WLAN amongst others. SLM Solutions were looking to have an in-house network management system for the configuration and management of the network components, plus a central network access control (NAC) was needed to control access to all network resources.

Process.

Bechtle accepted the challenge and worked together with SLM Solutions to not only plan moving servers and storage to the new building, but also set up the whole network. The comprehensive solution suggested by Bechtle and the fact that Bechtle is a single-source provider were enough to convince SLM Solutions, who commissioned Bechtle to equip the company and its new headquarters with a network, WLAN and VoIP that would be ready to go on the day of the move—a project that Bechtle planned and delivered on time.

Solution.

In order to ensure smooth and above all stable communication for all SLM Solutions Group AG’s employees, Bechtle installed an Aruba-based network with two fully-redundant data centres into the new building. Each data centre is equipped with a core switch that consists of four HPE 5900 switches combined using Hewlett Packard Enterprise Technology “Intelligent Resilient Fabric” (IRF) into one virtual core chassis. The secure, reliable wireless and wired network from the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Aruba, was tailored to the exact business needs of SLM Solutions.

Bechtle also implemented a network access solution in the form of Aruba ClearPass—a cyber security solution for network access control and policy management. ClearPass offers secure network access control and access of a variety of end devices This enables SLM Solutions to classify all end devices that access the network, create profiles and automatically assign users access permissions—regardless the type of device, owner status and operating system. By using the multi-vendor tool, SLM Solutions can also manage its entire wired network and provides secure access to employees and guests alike. Aruba ClearPass automates work processes within the closed network by classifying all end devices and creating intelligent policies that determine access to wired and wireless networks.

Solution.

In order to ensure smooth and above all stable communication for all SLM Solutions Group AG’s employees, Bechtle installed an Aruba-based network with two fully-redundant data centres into the new building. Each data centre is equipped with a core switch that consists of four HPE 5900 switches combined using Hewlett Packard Enterprise Technology “Intelligent Resilient Fabric” (IRF) into one virtual core chassis.

The secure, reliable wireless and wired network from the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Aruba, was tailored to the exact business needs of SLM Solutions. Bechtle also implemented a network access solution in the form of Aruba ClearPass—a cyber security solution for network access control and policy management. ClearPass offers secure network access control and access of a variety of end devices This enables SLM Solutions to classify all end devices that access the network, create profiles and automatically assign users access permissions—regardless the type of device, owner status and operating system.

By using the multi-vendor tool, SLM Solutions can also manage its entire wired network and provides secure access to employees and guests alike. Aruba ClearPass automates work processes within the closed network by classifying all end devices and creating intelligent policies that determine access to wired and wireless networks.