Smart City Networks is overseeing the largest fiber optic installation ever at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for the Hot August Nights Auction Presented by Barrett-Jackson taking place Aug. 8-10. Barrett-Jackson, producer of “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™,” will rely on Smart City’s state-of-the-art fiber optic backbone for all of its networking needs, wired Internet access and live telecast.
The Barrett-Jackson auction will have approximately 400 vehicles and nearly 100 vendors and sponsors on display in three exhibit halls and utilize various meeting rooms for administration, registration, payment and other event services, which all require Internet connectivity. Smart City’s fiber optic backbone will power Barrett-Jackson’s networking systems that will provide wired Internet connections throughout all areas of the event, spanning approximately 500,000 square feet.
Smart City conducted an extensive testing to ensure that the fiber optic system at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center would meet the high speed and vast distance requirements of the Barrett-Jackson network. The type and scope of testing done was unprecedented for a single event, Smart City officials said. Given the size and networking requirements of the auction, the testing conducted was similar to what Smart City would do during its comprehensive annual network inspection.
The SPEED channel, which has televised Barrett-Jackson auctions for 17 years, will also broadcast the inaugural event. The live, multi-hour broadcast will also run over the Barrett-Jackson network and Smart City fiber backbone.
Smart City Networks began planning with Barrett-Jackson five months ago for the auction, and the network installation took two and half weeks. The network includes a combination of single and multi-mode fiber for the significant distance requirements and various applications, including live streaming video, point-to-point services and a mobile command center.
“The Barrett-Jackson auction is a spacious and fast-paced, live event that requires a robust fiber optic network,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Smart City has installed and maintains impressive infrastructure at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, and with their help we are confident that our equipment and systems will work efficiently and effectively for this historic event.”
