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We had to deploy 31 server solution across 31 islands in Nunavut. Each one was connected via microwave with line connectivity to Ontario from a central locatio

We had to deploy 31 server solution across 31 islands in Nunavut. Each one was connected via microwave with line connectivity to Ontario from a central location. Each location had to be able to operate independently incase of connection failure, but would resync to the central system which is connected to the mainland. The hardest part wasn't the connectivity, it was the the logistics and time needed to deliver people and equipment via floatplane to deploy. Edit: it was definitely a logistics nightmare. We had to pack our skids with alot of height and weight requirements in mind to fit. The floatplane ran very limited, and couldn't run throughout the year due to ice/weather(we had like 6 months most). It took us 2 years to deploy all locations.

deleted 9y ago
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makmanalp 9y ago
Via floatplane, wow. Some technicians have it rough.
- asteli 9y ago
  Speaking from my experience in Alaska, it's impressive how people have adapted the use of aircraft to accommodate the nonexistent or often unusable road infrastructure. I remember traveling by rail and passing a long row of houses with small aircraft and bushplanes parked outside, with a cleared grassy strip to one side to act as a runway.
  - whatshisface 9y ago
    Difficulty aside, that sounds like it would be a cool way to live. How were they employed?
    - barsonme 9y ago
      I can't speak for the guy you replied to, but I've had family and friends who live up there and there's a lot of seasonal outdoors stuff. For example, run a snowmobile business in the winter. Work as a mechanic on big rigs (aka get paid to sit around until something breaks). In rural areas (at least around here) it's not uncommon to work 4 on, 4 off (or similar) shifts which makes stuff like that a lot easier. My cousins (one of whom lived in North Pole, AK) do something kinda similar: they have their houses in the "city" where their job is, but their "other" homes out on their 30+ acres of property in the woods > 1 hour outside of town. They don't fly in, but it's kinda the same concept. I also know of at least one rancher in eastern Washington whose daughter flies her plane to school in the morning.
  - seanmcdirmid 9y ago
    My memories of Alaska were small lakes filled with floatplanes as parking lots. My great uncle and aunt also has a cabin that we could reach only by boat...this was in the anchorage area.
jcims 9y ago
Was it all point to point or did you need repeaters? Sounds like an adventure.
- sergers 9y ago
  It was all point to point except about 5 locations which needed repeaters (there are considered 25 major communities, all with point to point and some with 3g service even now) I can't recall the speed, but the connectivity and power were suspect. We had to design our solution expecting it to be down and trickle the data into the central server. It was a project for the Nunavut govt. We ended up subcontracting mundane tasks and tasks to initial setup prepping each site, cause it was such a hassle to travel. There are a number of local IT services companies in the limited region surprisingly(especially now), which actually worked out as the govt offered "rebates" to reduce cost and hire locals
  - jcims 9y ago
    We did a project a while back to pull leased lines into county government offices for an entire state. It looked good on paper, but the boots on ground story was completely different. Felt like a month in the life of a home cable installer, what a cluster. I can't imagine adding a bunch of legitimate logistical hassle on top of that.
loufe 9y ago
That's AMAZING. How are the relays powered if they're traveling up there around James Bay where there isn't necessarily infrastructure? Please don't tell me diesel generator...

deleted 9y ago

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makmanalp 9y ago

Via floatplane, wow. Some technicians have it rough.

asteli 9y ago
Speaking from my experience in Alaska, it's impressive how people have adapted the use of aircraft to accommodate the nonexistent or often unusable road infrastructure. I remember traveling by rail and passing a long row of houses with small aircraft and bushplanes parked outside, with a cleared grassy strip to one side to act as a runway.
- whatshisface 9y ago
  Difficulty aside, that sounds like it would be a cool way to live. How were they employed?
  - barsonme 9y ago
    I can't speak for the guy you replied to, but I've had family and friends who live up there and there's a lot of seasonal outdoors stuff. For example, run a snowmobile business in the winter. Work as a mechanic on big rigs (aka get paid to sit around until something breaks). In rural areas (at least around here) it's not uncommon to work 4 on, 4 off (or similar) shifts which makes stuff like that a lot easier. My cousins (one of whom lived in North Pole, AK) do something kinda similar: they have their houses in the "city" where their job is, but their "other" homes out on their 30+ acres of property in the woods > 1 hour outside of town. They don't fly in, but it's kinda the same concept. I also know of at least one rancher in eastern Washington whose daughter flies her plane to school in the morning.
- seanmcdirmid 9y ago
  My memories of Alaska were small lakes filled with floatplanes as parking lots. My great uncle and aunt also has a cabin that we could reach only by boat...this was in the anchorage area.

jcims 9y ago

Was it all point to point or did you need repeaters? Sounds like an adventure.

sergers 9y ago
It was all point to point except about 5 locations which needed repeaters (there are considered 25 major communities, all with point to point and some with 3g service even now) I can't recall the speed, but the connectivity and power were suspect. We had to design our solution expecting it to be down and trickle the data into the central server. It was a project for the Nunavut govt. We ended up subcontracting mundane tasks and tasks to initial setup prepping each site, cause it was such a hassle to travel. There are a number of local IT services companies in the limited region surprisingly(especially now), which actually worked out as the govt offered "rebates" to reduce cost and hire locals
- jcims 9y ago
  We did a project a while back to pull leased lines into county government offices for an entire state. It looked good on paper, but the boots on ground story was completely different. Felt like a month in the life of a home cable installer, what a cluster. I can't imagine adding a bunch of legitimate logistical hassle on top of that.

loufe 9y ago

That's AMAZING. How are the relays powered if they're traveling up there around James Bay where there isn't necessarily infrastructure? Please don't tell me diesel generator...