Upgraded Network Infrastructure
Sea Life Blankenberge
Background
SEA LIFE Blankenberge is one of Belgium’s leading marine conservation attractions, welcoming thousands of visitors each year to explore its aquariums, education centres, and wildlife exhibits. The site relies heavily on stable, high-performing network infrastructure to support operations, ticketing, staff communications, and guest Wi-Fi.
With outdated cabling and an unfit data cabinet limiting performance and future growth, SEA LIFE Blankenberge required a complete overhaul of its network systems to support a new, modern wireless rollout.
Challenge
SEA LIFE Blankenberge faced several key networking issues:
- An ageing, capacity-limited data cabinet no longer meeting operational demands
- Insufficient cabling infrastructure for new wireless APs, telephony, tills, and staff devices
- A need for a resilient fibre backbone linking the main and remote cabinets
- The requirement to deploy a reliable, high-density Wi-Fi system across indoor and outdoor areas
- The need to perform critical core switch changes overnight to avoid disrupting visitor operations
To deliver a future-ready network, we needed to upgrade every layer of the infrastructure while maintaining full operational continuity.
Solution
We provided a full end-to-end infrastructure upgrade, including new cabinets, structured cabling, fibre installation, wireless deployment, and network switch replacement.
Cabinet replacement & installation
- Removed the old, unfit data cabinet
- Installed a new Excel 42U cabinet as the main core cabinet
- Installed a new Excel 21U remote cabinet to extend the network and enhance local distribution
Fibre optic backbone installation
- Installed, terminated, and tested 8 cores of OM4 multimode fibre
- Created a high-speed, resilient link between the two network cabinets
Structured cabling deployment
- Installed, terminated, and tested 71 Cat6a cables
- Provided connectivity for wireless access points, tills, telephones, and computer systems across the attraction
Wireless network rollout
- Installed 29 Juniper Mist access points in total:
- 18 external AP63s for outdoor and high-demand zones
- 11 internal AP33s for indoor coverage and performance
Network switch upgrade
- Completed a full replacement of core and access switches overnight
- Ensured uninterrupted network services during the transition
Results
SEA LIFE Blankenberge now benefits from a modern, high-speed, and resilient network infrastructure designed to support both operational needs and visitor connectivity.
Key outcomes include:
- Strong, reliable Wi-Fi coverage across indoor and outdoor environments
- A future-proof fibre backbone supporting high-capacity data flow
- Enhanced performance for staff systems, tills, telephony, and operational equipment
- Improved network reliability and simplified ongoing management
- Zero operational downtime thanks to strategic overnight switch replacement
Our full infrastructure refresh has positioned SEA LIFE Blankenberge for continued digital growth, improved guest experience, and long-term operational efficiency.