Full Network Management for DA Communications

DA-NEM Dashboard and Map Visualization

Distribution Automation-Network Element Manager (DA-NEM) provides centralized management of the utility DA communications network. Based on the same technology as the Silver Spring UtilityIQ application suite, DA-NEM provides the scale and redundancy capabilities demanded by utilities.

DA-NEM actively manages the Silver Spring Bridge family of RF communications devices for RTUs as well as the network infrastructure supporting the Bridges, such as Silver Spring Relays. Providing more than simple device management, though, DA-NEM conveys the broader context of the DA network by depicting the RTUs connected to the network, the traffic flow going over it, and the physical location of the assets. Such rich context allows the operator to be more aware and make better decisions. Designed to minimize truck rolls, DA-NEM allows network design professionals to be more effective by providing centralized configuration and maintenance.

DA-NEM provides full flexibility to the network operator to determine what statistics to gather, how often to collect them, and which devices to query. These statistics allow the operator to provide an aggregated health check across the full network and to focus on certain segments of the network as needed. All polling statistics are archived in the embedded DA-NEM database, so the operator can search statistics through time and have data displayed graphically or in tables or be exported for analysis in other systems. In addition, operators can query the network in real time to gain immediate insight into events.

Key features include:

Centralized management of a Silver Spring-based DA communications network, including over-the-air configuration and upgrades
Grid-aware communications networking, including device relationships and geographic location of assets
Utility-grade scalability and performance
Configurable real-time and historic network statistics, depicted on Google Maps/Earth
Spectrum analysis on any part of the managed network
Flexible deployment options including separate or combined DA and AMI networks and Ethernet, serial, or mixed interfaces
Multiple operational models – hosted vs. utility-run and integrated with or separate from UtilityIQ Advanced Metering Manager