While the segmentation project was started in June 2011 to be completed by December 31, 2011, it had been slow going because of the size and complexity of their network. Their staff was also very busy with other projects so things were just not moving fast enough to meet the upcoming deadline.

We were hired in October to help with the project. Right now we are taking existing documentation and creating local VLAN’s at each facility. We are setting up IP subnets on each of the VLAN’s and working with their network operations center to set up site-wide routing tables. Once this is done we will start creating access lists at each switch to control what devices can traverse the switch and onto the subnets.

In addition we are updating their documentation for this large scale network. In the past their documentation was haphazard at best, so we are pulling various documents together into one location, creating detailed Visio network diagrams at each location, creating spreadsheets showing their detailed VLAN and subnet configuration for each switch. This is a several month project and has already been extended well into 2012 because they like the work we are doing for them. The big upcoming challenges we face is the coordination with various modality vendors to move each of their devices to these new network addresses. We must coordinate with vendors such as GE, Siemens, Carestream, Hologix, Toshiba, Omnicell, and others to get hundreds of modalities moved onto the new networking scheme.

This should keep us busy for a while!

Most small businesses need a reliable, scalable network that supports LAN-based computers, wireless users, and provides the ability to grow as your business grows. They also need a network that is easy to manage and easy to secure. Here are a few tips on building a solid network platform for your business.

We are going to provide you a few do’s and don’ts when building your network infrastructure.

Do NOT purchase network components from big box retailers such as Walmart and Best Buy. These devices are meant for home and very small business networks.

Do NOT purchase your network components at Best Buy, Walmart, or other big box retailer.

Why? They are certainly cheap. But big box retailers carry products meant for home office or VERY small (2-3 pc’s) business networks. These devices are not meant to scale and work with other network devices such as smart switches, intelligent firewalls, wireless access points, etc. Sure, you can get a router with built in wireless capability, but this solution won’t scale past 4-5 users and certainly will not work in a location where you need multiple wireless access points for wide geographic coverage. Not to mention the sales reps at these places and even the “Geek Squad” don’t have a clue about integrated business networking.

You should never connect past one core switch and one remote switch. Core switch at bottom, remote switches on floors above.

Do NOT daisy chain network switches – EVER

We see this all the time at healthcare clinics and even small hospitals and it causes untold network jitter problems. It is probably the most common network problem we run across. Often clinics start with a small 5 or 8-port core switch. They run out of ports, so instead of buying a bigger switch they just daisy chain another switch onto the main switch. And then another, and another. Before long they have a half dozen little mini-switches, or worse yet, those little Linksys router/switch combo’s, plugged all over their network and they wonder why their network is unreliable. The problems are caused by network jitter and are VERY difficult to isolate and track down.

The proper network design is to have one core switch, connected ONLY one layer down to remote switches. Remember. You should NEVER daisy chain past one core/one remote switch. Ever.

Mini-swith/routers like those from Linksys do NOT belong in a small business network. They cause untold problems with jitter, IP address conflicts, and multiple subnets. For HOME use only!

Do NOT purchase those little 5-8 port mini-switch/routers you see at Best Buy

The combined mini-switch/router is a great device for an extremely small network that will never grow. They are great for your home network or a 2-3 person office that will never grow. But they do NOT belong in most business networks. There are a number of reasons.

1. Jitter – Users tend to daisy chain multiple mini-switches together, which as explained above, causes jitter and delay that is extremely hard to track down. We see this all the time when an single office doesn’t have enough network drops. Instead of running additional cables to accommodate a printer or phone or another computer, inexperienced IT people will go to Walmart and purchase a mini-switch/router, plug it into the network, and then plug computers into that switch. Yea, it will give you more ports, but at the cost of network reliability, performance, and untold hard to track down problems down the road.
2. Multiple DHCP servers – most of these devices come with a built in DHCP server. This “server” gives IP addresses to requesting computers. Most small healthcare networks should have no more than one DHCP server so you don’t have problems with conflicting IP addresses from multiple sources. So when customers install all these mini-switch/routers, they end up with multiple DHCP servers and then have problems with DHCP conflicts. They forget the password to the mini-switch/router and maybe don’t realize it is providing DHCP service and have a hard time tracking down the problem.
3. Multiple firewalled subnets – This is another problem we see all the time. Say you need additional Ethernet ports in a busy office or department. Instead of running more network drops from your main switch, you purchase a mini-swith/router and plug the WAN port of the new device into the network drop going to the main switch. The WAN port picks up the IP address of your main network and then does a NAT translation and gives out IP addresses to the new devices on a different subnet – that is firewalled from the main network. Sure, you plug everything in and it works, but later you discover you cannot print from a remote computer to a printer in the new office. Or users have intermittent trouble accessing the Internet. Or their email is unreliable. Or more likely, a connection to your hospital information server is unreliable. That is partly caused by the network jitter, but can also be caused by traversing another unnecessary firewall.

DO build your core first – start with good components

The core of your network is your primary switch and your firewall. Skimp here and you will pay for it dearly later. You don’t need some $10,000 dollar bazillion port gigabit switch, but you do need a gigabit smart switch with at least 24 ethernet ports. Why gigabit? It is not much more expensive than 100 megabit, and you WILL need gigabit network speeds soon, if you don’t already need them now. Even if you only have 4-5 computers, you want at least a 24 port switch so that you can easily grow. Devices such as printers, IP phones, wireless access points, credit card terminals, and security cameras all need a network port. Even a small 5 person clinic can easily use 15-20 network ports. You should also install at least a Layer 2 smart switch so that you can isolate wireless guest traffic from your inter-office traffic.

Stackable switches allow you to add additional ports without the dreaded "daisy chain" of switches. One stack acts like a single switch.

DO Install at least a 24-port Gigabit switch at the core

As mention above, start your network with a good reliable Gigabit Ethernet switch, preferably one that provides Power over Ethernet and supports at least 24 ports. Even the smallest network can use 24 ports up quickly, especially when you add desktops, printers, laptops, wireless access points, security cameras, televisions, and other devices that have network jacks. And since gigabit is not much more expensive than 100 megabit, it makes sense to go with this technology that is ten times faster than 100 megabit. Ideally you want a stackable switch so that you can easily add more switch ports without the dreaded “daisy chaining” of your core switches. A stackable switch allows you to “stack” two or more switches together and they act like a single switch.

DO install smart switches, at least with Layer 2 VLAN capability

While not absolutely necessary, we do recommend installation of a smart switch with Layer 2 VLAN capability. A smart switch allows us as network engineers to go to a particular port and monitor traffic and uncover potential network problems. This makes network problems much easier to diagnose. VLAN’s allow you to isolate traffic into multiple logical LAN’s – for example in-house traffic and guest or patient wireless traffic. All the traffic can run over the same switches, but for example your wireless guest traffic must go through your firewall to reach your in-house computer assets.

PoE switches like the Netgear GS724TPS provide 24 ports of gigabit PoE drops, plus are stackable and support Layer 2 VLAN's.

DO install PoE (power over Ethernet) switches

More and more network devices are getting power from the switch through the network drop rather than from an AC power outlet. Again while not absolutely necessary, PoE makes it much easier to deploy devices like IP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras. All you need is a network drop – not a power drop. You can reduce under desk clutter and make your devices more reliable by using PoE, plus eliminate electrical power drops where you need a network device such as a phone, security camera or security lock.

DO install a good firewall

A good firewall like a Sonicwall NSA 2400 becomes central to how you manage security and access on your network. It connects to your core switch and to your Internet, providing you secure access to the public Internet, traffic monitoring, content filtering (block porn sites and such), and wireless user control. The Sonicwall firewalls can optionally handle your anti-virus needs, enforcing antivirus update policies and inspecting packets before they even reach your users. A web interface makes the Sonicwall firewalls easy to manage – no cryptic command line interfaces like the Cisco firewalls. In addition, a good firewall allows you to connect to remote customers, distributors and others via VPN encryption technology. In other words, if you need to trade sensitive patient data with a billing company on a regular basis, you can create an encrypted link between your two networks so that all traffic between the sites is secure and protected.

Sonicpoint Wireless devices can be installed easily in multiple locations, getting their power from your PoE switch. All configuration info comes from the central Sonicwall firewall.

DO install Sonicpoint wireless access points

Sonicpoint wireless access points plug into your PoE switches and get their configuration from your central Sonicwall firewall. You can create multiple virtual wireless networks, each with their own security settings. For example, you can have one wireless network for your staff and one for your patients. Even though you might have multiple access points, it looks to the users like a single wireless network. They can easily roam from one part of your building or campus to another without changing their wireless login as they change access points. And each wireless LAN can be configured to use a different VLAN, further isolating traffic and providing security on your internal LAN.

Summary

There you have it. The common pitfalls and some suggestions when first building your business network. Even if you are upgrading an existing network, these suggestions hold true. As the saying goes, “do it right the first time or do it over again later”. Building a solid network infrastructure that can grow as your business grows and needs change might cost just a bit more up front, but can save you countless headaches down the road. And most importantly, it can provide you a high speed, reliable infrastructure for your business applications.

The Sonicpoint is not your run-of-the-mill wireless access point. It is fully integrated with the NSA-2400 and allows you to provide not only secure staff and physician wireless network access, but also patient wireless access. With the Sonicpoint you can create two different “virtual access points” – one for your patients and one for your staff. Patient traffic is secured through VLAN technology and encryption through the Sonicwall, plus you can throttle and control patient Internet access. Of course the staff wireless and wired network is secured from patient access. You can expand your wireless network to multiple buildings and rooms by just adding additional Sonicpoints, all managed from your Sonicwall NSA-2400MX.

The NSA 2400MX is the perfect sized firewall for small to mid-sized hospitals and clinics. It contains 10 gigabit Ethernet ports and a total of 24 fast Ethernet ports. You can stack the NSA-2400MX with a second NSA-2400MX for a secure, hot spare firewall solution. If one firewall fails, your user traffic is not affected and the second firewall takes over automatically, notifying your network administrator of the failure. The NSA-2400MX supports technologies such as VPN for remote connections to other companies such as HMS for billing, GE for remote support and monitoring, and lab companies for support and maintenance. VLAN technology allows you to isolate traffic from different departments, or to isolate patient traffic from in-house traffic. VoIP technology allows you to implement Voice over IP (VoIP), running your phone system over your existing network infrastructure.

• VPN for connections to billing companies, payroll, modality support
• VLAN to isolate traffic from departments or from patient traffic
• Secure wireless LAN for both patients and for staff
• Redundant firewalls – two NSA-2400MX units can monitor each other and provide failover protection
• Virus protection – NSA-2400MX can force anti-virus protection rules on each client station and provide firewall-based anti-virus filtering
• Content restriction – NSA-2400MX can limit where your users go -stop Facebook, Youtube and iTunes during work hours
• Restrict access to pornography and other restricted sites

• Sit-to-stand height adjustment (pneumatic or electronic)
• Supports all-in-one CPU as well as separate CPU and monitor mount VESA (75/100)
• Seamless integration of handles into the work surface on all four corners for easy grip from any user position
• Keyless electronic lock for utility drawer and divider to facilitate administration of care in two-patient rooms
• Phenolic retractable keyboard tray with ergonomic negative and positive tilt and swivel
• Mouse tray slides to accommodate left and right-handed users
• Thorough disinfection for clean room use
• Rounded phenolic work surface for greater safety, comfort, and appeal
• UL 60601-1 compliant for safe use in all patient and non-patient areas
• Power alert software protects data and low-battery alarm can be muted
• IT Fleet management software for monitoring, programming, and management of PC 910s throughout a facility
• LED monitoring of battery status
• Advanced 3-stage charger accelerates recharging and increases safety

CR Mammography Brochure

Image Processing

The image processing parameters for the DirectView CR Mammography Feature were developed to maximize visualization of different breast tissue types and pathology such as microcalcications, masses and architectural distortion. These parameters, based on clinical studies, have been validated by radiologists with experience interpreting digital mammography.

• Produces high-resolution scans with a 48.5-micron pixel pitch
• The exposure latitude of CR and post-acquisition image processing can achieve more consistent image quality than conventional imaging
• Screen integrity is maintained and screen life is maximized by a transport system that never touches screens during scanning and erasing
• Provides optimal quality for mammography with KODAK DirectView EVP Plus Software and KODAK Black Surround/ Masking Software
• Compatibility across multiple “up-” and “downstream” networked devices
• DICOM storage and print as a SCU. Also supports DICOM MWL
• Supports DICOM MG-IOD
• Supports IHE, SWF, PIR, and CPI
• Allows for seamless integration with PACS, CAD, RIS, and other MG-IOD digital imaging chain components

Cassettes and Screens

Kodak Directview CR Mammography Cassettes

• Available in two mammography sizes: 18 x 24 cm and 24 x 30 cm
• Rugged, durable cassettes are designed for long life to reduce operational costs
• Standard-sized lm mammography cassettes meet ANSI standards and are compatible with most analog mammography systems
• Special pink labeling of mammography cassette assists in easy identication

Kodak Directview CR EHR-M Screen

• Screens are designed for use with the KODAK CR platform, which provides proven reliability and ease of service to reduce costs and downtime
• Compatibility with other KODAK CR equipment for mammography means there is no need to retrot or upgrade cassettes

CR to Print

Carestream Dryview 5850 Laser Imager

This tabletop laser imager delivers on-demand mammography printing at 580 ppi resolution from multiple modalities, including CR and FFDM. The DryView 5850 accomodates ve lm sizes – including 8 x 10 (20 x 25 cm) and 10 x 12 (25 x 30 cm) – and provides the superb image quality needed for mammography imaging.
This laser imager is ideal for imaging centers, departments and small clinics with limited space availability or unit placement constraints.
Key Features:

• Ideal for CR to print applications in facilities performing both general radiography and mammography imaging
• Compatible with KODAK DryView DVM or DVM+ Mammography Laser Imaging Film
• Proven true-laser technology

GIGABIT NETWORK SWITCHES
Phase One consisted of installing a stack of Netgear 7248 48-port Gigabit managed layer 2 switches in the main hospital wiring closet and an identical stack of switches in the secondary wiring closet, for a total of 288 gigabit network drops. The two wiring closets were connected via 50 micron multimode fiber and fiber GBIC ports in each of the switch stacks. Dual Sonicwall NSA 4500 firewalls – one in primary mode and the other in redundant backup mode – were installed as the core of the network. At first a single T1 line to the Sonicwalls connected the hospital to the public Internet but was soon upgraded to 4 bonded T1 lines for a total of 6mbs throughput to the Internet. An outdoor wireless link connected a remote doctor’s clinic.

This installation went smoothly and solved many of the problems the IT staff had at the prior installation. By consolidating the network into two high density gigabit Ethernet switch stacks, jitter and delay from having dozens of smaller switches was eliminated, while the entire network became much more reliable. IP addressing allocation was consolidated into the Sonicwall, where DHCP was used to allocate a pool of addresses as needed.

After the successful move into the new hospital, construction began on a new clinic nearby to replace the older facility connected via an outdoor wireless network. Fiber was run from the central wiring closet to the new facility, and this time a stack of three Netgear GSM748TPS switches was installed to provide powered gigabit network ports in the new building, and to provide the infrastructure for wireless networking in the future. Once again gigabit GBIC modules connected the 50 micron fiber to the Netgear switches. By consolidating the clinic onto the hospital network via fiber cable, the IT staff was able to simplify the entire network and eliminate problems with wireless bridging.

CAMPUS-WIDE WIRELESS NETWORK

Once the new clinic was operational, plans began on a campus-wide wireless network. The staff needed the ability to use wireless laptops and new devices such as the iPad and iPhone for patient care applications. In addition, the hospital administration wanted to provide wireless Internet services to patients in the hospital, while ensuring the security and integrity of the hospital network.

To accomplish this task of providing both a restricted access staff wireless network and a guest wireless network for hospital patients, InTelemed installed a total of 16 Sonicpoint Wireless Access Points throughout the campus. VLAN’s on the Netgear switches were used to completely isolate staff and guest network packets. All wireless traffic traversed the Sonicwall NSA-4500 firewalls, ensuring total security while giving easy access to the Internet for staff and patients. The entire campus-wide wireless network encompasses 3 buildings and 16 wireless access points, yet to users looks like a single integrated network.

Now that the network is fully operational, Medical Arts Hospital plans to deploy new wireless applications for physicians and nursing staff. This stable network infrastructure allows the IT staff to focus on line-of-business applications rather than chase problems with network infrastructure.

Upgrading to DR wireless technology is quick, easy and affordable with
the CARESTREAM DRX-Mobile Retrot Kit. Designed to fit your existing mobile system, this innovative product is a non-invasive, customized retrot package. Its wireless digital capability, powered by the CARESTREAM DRX-1 detector, increases on-site productivity and provides you with immediate image access in the field.

The DRX-Mobile Retrot Kit is an ideal DR upgrade for mobile units used at trauma sites, remote clinics, in operating room and the ICU. The wireless detector is light weight, and easy to use especially when working in confined spaces or examining patients with limited mobility. The wireless design allows for the detector to be positioned precisely. It is also less likely to get contaminated, which is extremely important when working in sterile environments. And because it meets the ANSI standard for 35 x 43 cassettes, you can use your existing grids.

Self-contained Power Supply

The DRX-Mobile Retrot Kit is completely self-contained and operates using its own power supply. The wireless DRX-1 detector contains its own removable battery. A separate battery charger accommodates up to three batteries for recharging.

A PRODUCTIVITY TOOL

The DRX-Mobile Retrot Kit is easy to operate and install. Its DR capability improves workow and productivity by streamlining your exam process. The wireless detector transfers images instantaneously. There is no need to scan cassettes or download images to the console so radiographers can acquire a greater number of images in the same amount of time. There are no cables or tethers to contend with during examinations so it’s ideal for a wide array of imaging exams including remote imaging, emergency rooms, sterile environments and the ICU.

The DRX-Mobile Retrot Kit is compatible with the following systems:

• GE AMX-4
• GE AMX-4 Plus
• Siemens Mobilett Plus
• Siemens Mobilett XP
• Siemens Mobilett XP Hybrid
• Additional mobile systems in progress

DRX Mobile Retrofit Kit Brochure

Convert to DR today with a solution that can grow to fit your needs tomorrow.

This remarkable system matches the world’s first cassette-sized DR detector, the Carestream DRX-1, with a fully automated suite of precision x-ray equipment.

Unlimited Positioning Freedom

The flexibility of a DR cassette meets the automation of a real DR suite. Whether you are upgrading a DRX-1 room or considering a full suite, the flexibility of cassette positioning is a clear advantage. The speed of wireless DR enables the image to appear on the console in seconds, while the detector size eliminates the need to move patients around a fixed DR Detector—simplifying even the most challenging views.

Easy Operation By Design

The DRX-Evolution system is designed to make difficult exams go quickly and smoothly.

• Select the patient from the console worklist and hold the remote auto-position button, and the system automatically positions itself for the examination.
• Slide the detector from the Bucky tray to the table for easy tabletop views.
• Move the wall stand easily along side the table for cross-table views.
• Control the entire system from the tube head touch screen.
• Adjust technique, SID, filtration, view and much more without leaving the patient’s side.

The System that Evolves With Your Needs and Your Budget

This versatile digital radiography system uses modular components that you can configure to fit your space, procedures, workflow, and budget. It can be scaled to meet growing or changing requirements for medical facilities of any size. Choose from one, two or three detector options to perform a wide variety of general radiography examinations (including trauma) with remarkable convenience,  productivity, and patient comfort. Whichever configuration is best for you, proprietary CARESTREAM Image Processing Software will provide outstanding image quality.

System Components:

• Gull Wing Wall Stand that extends, tilts, swings and glides to a full 6 axis of motion
• Easy positioning heavy duty 4 way float elevating table
• Intelligent OTC with touch screen
• Integrated Operator Console
• Choice of generators 65 or 80KW

Download Product Brochure

DRX-Evolution Site Planner

Read about the innovative development of the DRX-1

A customer’s evaluation of the DRX-1

DRX-1 Drop Protection Rider

Video of DRX Evolution at work

Q-Rad-DIGITAL “CXDI Series” systems provide precision and reliability through “Smart-System Design.” Innovations such as TechVision™, Single 22″ Touch-Screen Control Center, Fixed & Portable Digital Detector combinations, FAIL-SAFE electromagnetic braking systems, collision avoidance electronics, EZ-Glide handle controls are just some of the unique and valuable advantages of the Q-Rad-DIGITAL CXDI Series Systems.

“CXDI Series” Ceiling Mounted Systems
operate with a variety of portable and fixed digital detectors.

Single Fixed/Single Portable Solution

• Fixed detector operates in Wall Stand
• Portable Digital Receptor in the Table

Dual Fixed Detector Solution

• Each of the fixed detectors operates in the Table as well as the Wall Stand

Dual Portable Detector Solution

• Each of the portable detectors operate in the Table as well as the Wall Stand

• Includes wall-mounted vertical and convenient portable options
• Supports high-volume soft copy viewing

Productivity

• Eliminates the need to orient, order or align images.
• Enables radiographers to view images from remote operations panel.
• Distributes images automatically to networked destinations, such as workstations, PACS, RIS and HIS.

High Image Quality

• Extends image latitude without loss of detail contrast.
• Processes images before they are distributed for soft-copy display or printing.
• Produces long-bone images with few visible seams.

Flexible Printing Options

• Sends images to laser printers for viewing as film hard copy.
• Prints a reduced composite image on a single sheet of film, a true-sized segment, or multiple true-size segments to form a composite.
• Sends a composite image to a workstation to apply electronic measurements, and prints or archives it with measurements included.

The DIRECTVIEW Capture Link System integrates DIRECTVIEW DR and/or CR Systems to improve digital workflow and productivity in high-traffic areas. Centralized workflow has never been more flexible, convenient, and productive. Link up to five DIRECTVIEW DR and CR Systems together to streamline throughput. Multiple systems can be connected and scaled as workflow needs change because they share a consistent intuitive user interface and compatible functionality.

Integrate DR and CR systems together to streamline workflow when a study includes DR and CR images

• Identify CR cassettes at the DR console; scan them at a remote or in-room CR reader
• View the entire study at the DR console
• Reprocess, approve, and redirect CR images from your DIRECTVIEW DR System Operator Console
• Forward DR and CR images together to the final output destinations

Identify, scan, and review CR images anywhere

• Share cassette identification, scanning, and image review functions on up to five linked DIRECTVIEW CR Systems

Improve CR Data Sharing and Access

• Access worklists and all patient and exam information from any linked DIRECTVIEW CR system or device
• Update a single patient record, reprocess images, check for quality, and deliver to the output destinations from any linked CR system or device

• Reduces radiographer queuing and allows images to be forwarded directly to multiple networks and the exam room.
• Reduces radiographer queuing and allows images to be forwarded directly to multiple networks and the exam room.

Fast Throughput

• Maximizes productivity with “drop-and-go” workflow and fast, reliable cassette processing.
• Processes up to 101 cassettes an hour and handles 16 cassettes at one time.
• Enables image review in 34 seconds and cassette reuse in 40 seconds.

Productivity

• Enables radiographers to perform most system functions away from the main unit.
• Connects to PACS, laser printers and DICOM format devices.
• Facilitates storage, retrieval and distribution of entire radiography record.

Ease of Training

• Minimizes training time with consistent, intuitive user interface.
• Uses same interface as other Directview CR and DRX systems

Throughput

• Capable of handling up to 8 exposed cassettes and 8 erased cassettes at a time.
• Throughput: up to 101 cassettes/hour.
• Time from 35 x 43 cm cassette insertion to image at network: 34 seconds or less.
  Times for other radiography cassette sizes are the same or less. Time for image at a network device is dependent on network performance.

As a Carestream Health preferred dealer, InTelemed can now offer not only the Carestream line of DR, CR, PACS and RIS products, but also the complete DR, CR and conventional x-ray equipment produced by Quantum. With this acquisition comes a reshuffling of how Carestream sells products. Carestream direct reps are now responsible for sales to hospitals over 200 beds, while dealers such as InTelemed are responsible for all other sales to small hospitals, large clinics, imaging centers and non-hospital related facilities. As the premier Carestream/Quantum dealer in Oklahoma, InTelemed is well positioned to help rural hospitals, urban imaging centers and other healthcare clinics with their digital or analog radiology needs.

“We chose the DRX Evolution because it fit well with our existing Carestream PACS and CR system, and we had heard great things about the installation at Citizens Potawatomi Nation Healthcare” says Diane Van Curen, Radiology Director at Kickapoo Indian Clinic. “We also have had great luck with InTelemed since we installed our PACS system and really depend on them for support.”

Kickapoo Indian Clinic was down for a short 3 weeks while their construction staff remodeled the room. Carestream installed the DRX Evolution in a week, with training beginning the following week. During the downtime patients were sent 20 miles away to be scanned on the DRX Evolution at the Potawatomi Nation Healthcare Clinic. Images were transmitted over a secure VPN tunnel on Sonicwall firewalls back to the Carestream PACS system at Kickapoo Indian Clinic.

“We love our new DRX room” says Van Curen. “It was very easy to learn and is much faster than our older x-ray system with CR. The user interface of the DRX Evolution is nearly identical to our Carestream Directview CR so that made it much easier for us to get up and running quickly.”

InTelemed can help you secure your network from external and even internal attacks with the advanced line of Sonicwall firewalls. Whether you have a 200 bed hospital or a small imaging clinic, Sonicwall has a firewall to fit your needs and budget.

Sonicwall firewalls provide high performance and fast throughput, yet are easy to manage because of their intuitive user interface. But unless your IT department has extensive network security expertise, managing your firewall is often best left to an experienced engineer. InTelemed manages dozens of firewalls for hospitals and clinics of all sizes. Whether you need to add a VPN, secure a public server on your LAN, or allow remote logins from clinics and physicians, InTelemed can set up your Sonicwall firewall to provide you the freedom you want with the security to meet your needs.

Enterprise Class Security

Sonicwall’s NSA products offer not only secure firewall service, but can also offer stateful high-availability, high speed VPN technology, and advanced routing capabilities.

Stateful High-Availability

Most medium sized hospitals and large clinics have a single high speed Internet connection. All internet-bound traffic on your network must traverse this single link to the outside world. If your firewall goes down, your entire Internet connection is down until a replacement unit can be shipped, installed and configured. Sonicwall allows you to install mirrored firewalls that monitor each other. If one firewall goes down, the second firewall takes over automatically in seconds and notifies the administrator of the failed unit, which can be replaced and brought back on-line later. Once online, the two units sync automatically and go back into protected mode. This can help reduce the chance of internet failure and keep your system operational. Of course, dual homed Internet connections offer the most reliable connection, and Sonicwall firewalls can easily be configured to handle this situation also.

High Speed VPN

Many more hospitals and clinics are requiring high speed VPN capabilities to providers such as third party billing, medical equipment support vendors, and a host of third party companies. VPN technology basically encrypts each packet leaving your network, where it is routed over the public Internet and decrypted by the remote party. This high speed encryption requires a high performance firewall. Sonicwall’s NSA series of firewalls can be scaled to handle dozens or even hundreds of full wire speed VPN encryption links. In addition, they can handle hundreds of remote laptop and desktop encryption connections for home-based users such as physicians, all without a third party encryption device.

Advanced Routing Capabilities

Sonicwall firewalls can not only act as a secure entry point for your network, but can also act as a centralized high speed router for the core of your network. You can secure different portions of your network from each other, such as lab, x-ray, and physicians clinics. An NSA Sonicwall will allow these departments to community, but can enforce security on all interdepartmental connections.

Sonicwall Security Services

In addition to traditional firewall services, all Sonicwalls can offer advanced security services such as Enforced Client Anti-virus and Anti-spyware protection, content filtering, and anti-spam filtering. Your Sonicwall can ensure all your client workstations have up-to-date anti-virus software installed. It can also filter viruses and spam right at the firewall, providing an added layer of protection to your network. You can also enforce content filtering policies such as YouTube and Facebook blocking, ensuring your users stay productive while at work.

Wireless Security Services

Many hospitals and even clinics are installing wireless services not only for their users, but also for their patients. Sonicwall allows you to easily manage security for all your wireless users and guests from a single device, despite the number of wireless access points required to cover your campus. Whether you have one or a dozen wireless access points, your administrator can set up security policies specifying where users can visit and what they can see. Give your patients access to only the public Internet while protecting your internal LAN and wireless network. InTelemed can help you set up and manage your wireless network while maintaining confidence in your system security.

Clinic & Home Networking Security

Sonicwall offers a complete line of firewall devices, including units designed for smaller clinics, homes and remote departments. At a smaller clinic you can install a Sonicwall TZ-200 to offer secure high speed internet with site-to-site VPN capability back to your primary facility. At the remote facility you can provide the same advanced features such as wireless guest networking, content filtering, and secure VPN tunneling, and even Voice over IP telephony. Your physicians can install a Sonicwall TZ-190 at home for secure high speed connections to your primary hospitals while still allowing them access to their home networking resources and the public Internet.