CASE STUDY: High-security outdoor cabinets around the perimeter of data centre

Cannon design and supply high-security outdoor cabinets around the perimeter of data centre

Project Brief

Design, manufacture, and install high-security outdoor cabinets around the perimeter of a data centre to support:

  • Security & surveillance systems
  • Gate control
  • CCTV equipment

These cabinets replace older GRP/single-skin steel enclosures that lacked sufficient protection and environmental control.

Challenges with Previous Enclosures

  • Inadequate thermal management – equipment overheating during high ambient temperatures
  • Material degradation – GRP cabinets exposed sharp, hazardous fibres over time
  • Weak security – substandard locking systems and physical protection

Why Choose Cannon?

  • Robust steel construction with superior surface durability
  • Integrated climate control (heating & AC) for year-round temperature regulation
  • Certified high-security design – LPS1175 SR3 rated
  • Reliable 24/7/365 operation – engineered for mission-critical environments

Solution Overview

Cannon provided a custom-engineered, double-skin outdoor cabinet featuring two distinct compartments to separate functions and improve thermal efficiency.

Key Features

  • Packaged DX Cooling (4kW) with integrated heater in the 19” equipment compartment
  • Custom cabinet colour to match the client’s corporate branding
  • Double-skin construction for improved insulation and durability in outdoor environments

Electrical Integration

Cabinet supplied equipment-ready, with complete internal electrical installation:

  • Dual power input via A+B Commando sockets
  • Distribution board (DB) with individual circuit breakers for key components
  • Pre-wired for plug-and-play deployment

LPS 1175 SR3 Certified

  • LPS1175 SR3 Certified – Provides tested and proven resistance against forced entry, ensuring high-security protection.
  • Outdoor-Rated Enclosure – Engineered for all-weather conditions; suitable for roadside, remote, and exposed environments.
  • Integrated Climate Control – Equipped with both air conditioning unit (ACU) and heating system for temperature regulation, protecting sensitive equipment.
  • 18th Edition Certified Electrical Installation – Fully compliant with the latest IET Wiring Regulations for electrical safety and reliability.
  • Robust Construction – Heavy-duty design offers long-term durability against environmental and physical stresses.
  • Secure Equipment Housing – Ideal for critical communications, networking, and security infrastructure.
  • Customisable Layout – Internal rack and mounting options to suit varied system requirements.
  • Maintenance Access and Cable Management – Designed for ease of servicing and tidy, secure cable routing.

CASE STUDY: Cannon Protect Secure S-TYPE Micro Data Center

Use state-of-the-art cabinet solutions from Cannon Technologies to keep vital equipment protected and secure

Good things come in secure packages.

National infrastructure companies and other market sectors requiring high-performance infrastructure for Security, Surveillance, and Public Address (PA) systems are increasingly turning to Cannon Technologies’ state-of-the-art SR3 certified Micro Data Centre solutions to keep vital equipment protected and secure.

Cabinet meeting

As part of a UK-wide improvement programme, infrastructure and utility companies have been upgrading operational sites in line with commitments to a customer-focused, risk-based approach to business continuity – aligned with the National Risk Register. Among emerging priorities, the increased risk of terrorism has become a significant factor in security investment planning.

In 2016, a pioneering security risk-based approach was introduced by one such utility, earning recognition at the 2017 CIR Risk Management Awards for Risk Management Programme of the Year. This approach has been supported by national authorities including Defra and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).

To maintain exceptional levels of service and protect equipment used for mission-critical security and surveillance, companies have partnered with Cannon Technologies to deploy secure and thermally stable enclosures. Based on the highly successful S-TYPE Active Cabinet, a new dual ACU redundant solution was developed as a flexible and cost-effective alternative to constructing new buildings for housing sensitive systems.

A project team member commented:
“When it comes to outdoor cabinets, our top concerns are security, resilience, and functionality. We worked closely with Cannon Technologies to explore the possibility of encapsulating these qualities within a Medium Sized Modular or Micro Data Centre unit. They offered invaluable design and manufacturing expertise.”

Mark Awdas, Engineering Director at Cannon Technologies, adds:
“We were tasked with designing an IP and SR3-certified Outdoor Micro Data Cabinet that provided secure yet easy access to housed equipment. The result was the creation of the S-Type Protect.”

Features and benefits

The S-Type Micro DC secure cabinet features an ‘in-ground root or plinth’ mounting system suited for placement into or on concrete pads. Rated up to IP65, it is available in widths of 1100mm to 1700mm and depths of 1000mm to 1200mm. The cabinet offers streamlined access to the thermal management dual ACU system, consumer unit, fire suppressant, alarm unit, UPS, and main power & communications cable ducts.

Key capabilities include:

Mains electricity connection through a robust consumer unit powering the thermostatically controlled ACU, heaters, and internal equipment.

Optional NGEN Estate upgrade for remote lock access, fan monitoring, intrusion detection, and environmental alarms – fully integrated via SNMP over IP.

The cabinet and doors are built from 3mm thick Z600 pre-galvanised steel with an 85-90μ powder coating for durability and resistance to environmental factors.

Security guard

Security remains paramount. Each cabinet features an SR3-certified locking system and stainless steel swing handle locks (remotely or locally operated), with a double D profile lock body for enhanced security. Geographic keying and electronic keyless entry further reduce risk from lost or stolen keys.

Certified by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) to LPS1175 Security Rating 3 (SR3), the cabinets have resisted professional attacks using a broad array of tools for up to 20 minutes – ensuring robust physical security. Products certified to LPS1175 SR3 standards have resisted a series of professional attacks, each lasting up to 20 minutes, using a wide variety of tools including the following:

Type Maximum dimension / power / weight Quantity‡
Adhesive tape (reel) 75 mm wide 1
Cable cutter 200 mm long 1
Cargo strap (selection) 25 mm wide strap with cam buckle 1§
Electric cable (Single core) 1.2 mm diameter wire / 1 m long 1
Engineers hooks (selection) – 1§
Firefighter’s key – 1
Fishing line (e.g. polypropylene multi fibre) Reel 1
Fishing hooks (selection) – 1§
Flexible plastic coupon – 1
Glass cutter – 1
Hexagon wrenches (selection) 200 mm long 1§
Knife 125 mm long x 3 mm thick blade 1
Lever (including nail pullers, prybars and utility bars) 300 mm long / 0.7 kg 1
Pliers (selection, including self- gripping and cutting) 200 mm long 1§
Punches (selection, including flat and pointed tipped) 200 mm long 1§
Rope (selection, non-metallic) 20 mm diameter 1§
Screwdriver 6.5 mm diameter / square x 200 mm long 1
Scriber (selection) 200 mm long 1§
Socket/screwdriver set (selection) 150 mm long ratchet arm 1§
Spanners (selection) 150 mm long 1§
Traction screws** 5.5 mm diameter x 60 mm long 2§
Tweezers (selection) – 1
Universal key – 1
Wire (selection) 3 mm diameter 1
WD40 400 ml 1
Wood/plastic wedges (selection) 200 mm long x 50 mm wide 6
Tube 50 mm outer diameter with 4 mm wall thickness x 300 mm long 1
Axe 350 mm long / 1.5 kg 1
Battery 12 V 1
Bolt cutter 400 mm long 1
Brick bolster 250 mm long x 75 mm wide blade 1
Cold chisel 250 mm long x 28 mm wide blade 2
Crowbar 700 mm long / 2.5 kg 1
Drill‡‡ 12 V 1
Drill bit (HSS / HSCO / Masonry) 10 mm diameter jobber 1
Fluorocarbon based freeze spray 400 ml 1
Gas torch (Butane / Propane) 175 g 1
Hacksaw – 1
Hacksaw blades (HSS / bimetal) – 2§
Hammer (3lb / 1.36 kg nominal head weight) 300 mm long / 1.8 kg 1
Pad saw – 1
Pad saw blades (HSS / bimetal) – 2§
Scissor jack 1500 kg capacity, 100 mm minimum retracted, 200mm stroke 1
Wood chisel 250 mm long x 25 mm wide blade 1§

 

‡   Maximum number of individual tools a test operative may select during each individual attack test (security ratings Atw to Etw only).

§  Although a range of different types, sizes and/or shapes may be selected by a test operative, only the maximum quantity of individual units of a single type, size and shape may be included within a tool kit for any one test.

**  Otherwise known as ‘self-tapping’ screws or ‘self-drilling’ screws. The selection available may include carbon steel, single and twin start versions with choice of two varieties of thread/tip: deep thread and gimlet point; and self-tapping thread with drill point.

†† Measured with the mechanism in the closed position.

Secure locking

Fan club

Achieving SR3 security standards introduced new thermal management challenges. Environmental stability is essential for the optimal function of housed equipment.

Each cabinet supports a variety of cooling systems:
Basic models include thermostatically controlled fans with redundancy.
Advanced versions use intelligent dual ACU systems with delay/swap-over features and free air-cooling to reduce energy use and extend component life.

Environmental conditions are continuously monitored via internal sensors, with full remote control available through the NGEN Estate system.

Climate Test Chamber

Need for protection

The S-Type Secure Micro DC isn’t limited to utilities. It’s ideally suited for Edge computing, IoT deployment, and rural broadband rollout – any application requiring resilient, secure outdoor infrastructure.

Glenn Conlon, Cannon Technologies Technical Sales Director, notes:
“With the SR3 S-Type Micro DC, we’re enabling government and commercial customers to protect their sensitive electronics and communications infrastructure in line with CPNI objectives.”

The solution is fully customizable with two- and three-bay configurations, a range of mounting options for 19-inch, ETSI, or DIN equipment, and optional pre-fitted UPS, Fire Suppressant modules, fibre and copper terminations, and other internal layouts.

Out and about

With over 1,000 S-Type cabinets already deployed globally across a range of sectors, demand continues to grow. A satisfied project team summed it up:
“Cannon Technologies delivered again. We now have a flexible, secure, and cost-effective Edge solution for our remote sites, with no compromise on technology or security.”

Cannon also offers up to Level 6 integration, maintenance, servicing and installation services.

Market Update – Fibre to the Premise (FTTP/FTTH)

ULTRA FAST 100Mb/s to 10Gb/s internet service connectivity via a fibre optic link directly to home of business premise.

Cannon’s FTTP/FTTH  S-TYPE Outdoor Cabinet range provides a single/double/triple 19″ or ETSI rack mounting with the option for single or dual end chambers.  Power and energy efficient cooling/heating (Thermal Management) is integrated into a dual wall insulated enclosure.  Access is via front and rear doors or removable panel(s) with access to the low noise, energy efficient, active control fan cooling system via a multi-hinged roof with robust roof stay (protects user from the risk of failure during strong winds/air movement due to traffic etc) .

  • FTTP/H provides city/town and rural communities with the ability to have ultra fast Internet.
  • Cannon design, manufacture, assembly & integration facilities provide clients with modern, flexible and agile support from Concept through to Installation/Service/Maintenance contracts

Many ALTNET teams decide on CANNON for their Intergrated Outdoor Cabinet and partner with us due to an extensive product range, continual technical support, and whole life project support.  Our focus is always to be at the technical forefront of our sectors including transportation, communications, security & defience, utilies sectors.

Client understand the commercial value of delivering extremely fast connectivity and Cannon Technologies can provide reliable, secure, climate controlled outdoor cabinets to house sensitive OLT communications, switching and UPS equipment.

Please contact our sales department for further details of our Integrated Outdoor cabinet range or download the brochure from our product section.

CASE STUDY: Glide Business C-Type Mini Cabinet

Summary

Glide Business uses state-of-the-art cabinet solutions from Cannon Technologies to keep vital equipment protected and secure.

As one of the UK’s fastest growing providers of high-speed Internet to business parks, industrial estates, and metropolitan and rural areas, Glide Business uses state-of-the-art cabinet solutions from Cannon Technologies to keep vital equipment protected and secure.

Glide started life as separate businesses delivering broadband, utilities and communications services to different markets across the UK. For decades, we’ve been known for delivering exceptional connectivity and original solutions to the best universities and biggest businesses in the country.

Cabinet meeting

Rapidly growing its geographical spread, Glide Business implements a mixture of FTTX technologies including fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) and fibre to the premises (FTTP), as well as sub loop unbundling (SLU). It is committed to using state-of-the-art equipment and, recognising the role that its outdoor street side cabinets play in maintaining excellent levels of service, has worked closely with Cannon Technologies. Having already used a product based on the highly successful Street Wise Active Cabinet, Glide Business felt that a smaller, more compact solution would be more suitable for some of its forthcoming planned projects.

Ben King, Glide Business founder, comments, ‘As always, when it comes to outdoor cabinets our chief concerns are high levels of security, robustness, resilience and functionality. However, we thought that it might be possible to encapsulate these qualities within a smaller unit, so asked Cannon Technologies to give us the benefit of their expertise in design to manufacture and suggest alternatives.’

As the outdoor cabinets are sited on pavements and roadsides, the smaller they are, the less likely it is that they will obstruct walkways. Glenn Conlon, sales director at Cannon Technologies, takes up the story and says, ‘We needed to configure a cabinet that could meet Glide Business’s brief and provide easy access to the equipment housed inside. It soon became clear that we could produce a solution based on our C-Type Cabinet, and so the C-Type Minicab was born.’

WarwickNet1

Detail

Features and benefits

Installed using an ‘in-ground root or plinth’ mounting system for location into or onto a concrete pad, the up-to IP65 rated C-Type Minicab comes in at a width of just 600mm. It offers easy access to the consumer unit, Krone distribution frame or fibre management cassettes/patching, DSLAM equipment, UPS and main power & communications cable entry ducts. As well as housing the mains electricity input fuse and meter, a consumer unit also connects power from the regional electricity authority to connect to the thermostatically controlled fans and equipment.  The thermal system can also be upgraded with Cannon Guard which monitors fan fail, fan speed, door entry, flood, smoke and over/under temperature alarms via SNMP traps over IP.

One less obvious benefit of its smaller size is its reduced weight – instead of using a specialist crane, two engineers can lift and shift it into place.

The main body of the cabinet and the doors are manufactured from 2mm thick Z600 pre-galvanised steel sheet. Conlon states, ‘Z600 denotes a total of 600gm/m² of zinc applied in an oxygen free atmosphere to the steel substrate. In addition, the units have been painted to Glide Business’s specific colour requirements with a 90μ powder coating, which provides a tough outer layer.’

Security guard

The C-Type Minicab offers the highest levels of security and thwarting the efforts of those who want to access the active equipment inside requires special measures. Each door that allows access to the thermal chamber is locked by a single Cannon Technologies stainless steel swing handle lock, which can be locally operated. All locks are further deadlocked using an approved double D profile lock body, which can then be keyed against a specific geographical area.  An additional advantage of the Cannon lock is the capability for electronic keyless entry, a great feature for companies wanting to restrict the issue of keys which could be lost or stolen.

The locking system has been approved to The Loss Prevention Certification Board’s (LPCB) LPS1175 Security Rating 3 (SR3). Approval to this standard ensures that the security products used in the cabinets provide the reliable delay and means of detection required to protect against intrusion. Products certified to LPS1175 SR3 standards have resisted a series of professional attacks, each lasting up to 20 minutes, using a wide variety of tools.

Fan club

Limiting the size of the cabinets brought its own challenges from a thermal management perspective. Ensuring that the environmental conditions in the cabinet are kept within defined parameters is vital in ensuring the correct operation of the equipment housed inside.

‘Each cabinet can be configured with a choice of cooling technology,’ says Conlon ‘The basic option uses an electro/mechanical thermostat, which simply turns a one-speed fan on and off when certain defined temperatures are reached, and an additional fan provides redundancy when necessary. This can be used in conjunction with a hardened digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), which is designed to withstand higher temperatures. However, we have also designed a more intelligent system that limits the energy used and noise created by running the fans at lower speeds. It continually monitors the internal conditions to ensure only the necessary amount of air flow is created to cool the equipment and this also helps reduce unnecessary wear and tear on the components.’

This thermal management system is controlled and operated via a series of strategically located sensors, which monitor air temperature and condensation levels. It is also possible to remotely monitor and control the cabinet via the Cannon Guard management system, a fully integrated hardware and software management package that is designed to support local or remote installations.

Cannon Internal Climate Test Chamber with solar Heat Gain

Climate Test Chamber

Project Description

Need for speed

It’s not just Glide Business’s business park-based customers that are set to benefit from the introduction of the C-Type Minicab. Cannon Technologies believes that it is especially useful for the rollout of superfast broadband to rural areas.

Conlon explains, ‘Despite the government’s stated objective to have superfast broadband in 98 per cent of the UK by 2020, the fact is that around 1.88 million premises lack superfast access in the UK. Many communities are choosing to join together and put in their own money to acquire a service that meets their needs. For these smaller installations, the C-Type Minicab is perfect.’

It can also be manufactured according to a customer’s specific requirements, including two and three bay options, and with bespoke mounting options to accommodate the use of 19-inch, ENSI or DIN equipment. It can also be fitted with various copper termination modules and be pre-configured with a range of internal fixings and layouts.

Out and about

450+ C-Type Minicabs have already been delivered to Glide Business, with further units in production, and Ben King concludes, ‘Once again Cannon Technologies has come up with the goods. We now have a flexible and cost-effective containment solution for our smaller customers, and we are delighted that this has been achieved without any compromise in terms of the features and technology we have grown accustomed to.’

Cannon also provide up-to Level 4 integration and installation services

Installation Services

Rail Market – Station Information and Surveillance

Cannon Technologies have provided their latest Outdoor cabinet life support system for NETWORK RAILS SISS system at the New Bromsgrove Station.

rail-project1

Typically these systems would include:

  • CIS  (Customer Information Systems)
  • PA  (Public Address)
  • LLPA  (Long Line Public Address)
  • PAVA  (Public Address Voice Alarm)
  • PHP  (Passenger Help Points)
  • CCTV  (Operational and Security)
  • Station Management Systems  (SISS Management & Control Platform)
  • Command & Control Environments  (including ergonomic assessments)

Bromsgrove’s £24m station development, designed to attract business to the town and improve integration with other transport facilities, is complete and Cannon Technologies have provided the Outdoor cabinet life support system for SISS system.

The new station features a staffed ticket office, passenger waiting room, toilets and 350 onsite car parking spaces.

The development was carried out by Worcestershire County Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and Network Rail, with construction contractor Buckingham Group, but was subject to delays last year because of ground decontamination work.

Martin Ball, area director for Network Rail, said: “The new Bromsgrove station will provide a significant boost to passengers and the wider area, providing better facilities and a much-improved first impression of the town.

“Cannon worked closely with Network Rail and it’s prime contractors including Mott MacDonald, Buckingham, Kemada (M&E) & Securitec (Comms) to deliver the outdoor cabinets for the carpark, concourse and station to their specific requirements.  This included Climate control via ACU, vandal resistance, AC power distribution and a challenging multi-bay configuration”.

Steve Fisher, London Midland’s head of regional services, said: “The new station is all about making travel simpler for our passengers. It brings a range of extra benefits, including a staffed ticket office, additional parking and easier connections to local bus services.  Cannon Technologies have provided great support to our contractors and helped bring the new station online”

CANNON PRODUCTS INSTALLED:

rail-project-m1

  • Multi-chamber with end POD based on S175800A

FEATURES:

  • Front/Rear doors
  • 1000mm deep
  • End POD Air-Conditioner
  • 475W Main Chamber heater
  • Dual wall Insulated
  • Mains Power distribution via Consumer Unit
  • Stainless Steel lever handle with Padlock option

INSTALLATIONS:

  • 3 Multi-chamber with end POD cabinets are installed close to main station for separate station and train operator Survelliance, DVR, Comms, PA, Customer Info, Ticket Machine & Parking systems
  • 5 Single chamber cabinets located on station platform and car-parks

FEATURES:

  • Single chamber cabinets based on S174800A

rail-project-m3

  • Front/Rear doors
  • 1000mm deep
  • End POD Air-Conditioner
  • 475W Main Chamber heater
  • Dual wall Insulated
  • Mains Power distribution via Consumer Unit
  • Stainless Steel lever handle with Padlock option

Please contact our sales department for further details of our Integrated Outdoor cabinet range or download the brochure from our product section.