Commercial Integrator November 2022 - 24

Networking
Arguably, how to deploy enterprise equipment that has network technology is the crux of
the value that integrators bring to the table these days.
involves an LCD tile display or large-format
LED display with multiple controllers - in
short, for any large videowall that requires
multiple, synced sources. He explains,
" If you need multiple, synced inputs into
that system to generate the overall image,
I wouldn't use AV-over-IP because you
couldn't guarantee a synced input of multiple
signals into those controllers. " Thus,
Peterson continues, integrators could not
be certain that the signals would be genlocked,
which, in effect, means a viewer
looking at a vertical " seam " between the
two signals might perceive a little bit of
" tearing. " Depending on whether the
videowall showcases fast-motion video,
the " tearing " might significantly diminish
image quality.
Peterson also sounded a note of caution
on AVoIP's utility with respect to federal
government clients. The key virtue of
AVoIP, he observes, is fostering the ability
to route content easily between all points
on the network. That virtue can become a
vice, however, if information must be held
in the strictest confidence. " When you
have secret [or] top-secret files and video
signals, you do not want to route them to
a destination that is not designed to hold
those classifications, " Peterson declares.
Continuing, he reasons that federal
government clients' fear of the damage
resulting from any such misrouting has
24
inhibited AVoIP's widespread adoption in
that vertical.
Enterprise Network Best Practices
Already, we've discussed some methods
by which integrators can mitigate cybersecurity
risks stemming from AV systems
being on the network - namely, deploying
separate, isolated AV networks and/or
utilizing VLANs. But recognizing that many
clients want to benefit from the centralized
routing and management that converged
networks enable, it's worth highlighting
some cybersecurity best practices.
Articulating integrators' value proposition
as strategic advisors, CTI's Snider
says, " How to deploy enterprise equipment
that has network technology is the
value integrators bring to the table. " Mike
Abernathy of NSCA, a trade association
that propounds the notion of integrators as
knowledgeable partners, rather than mere
product installers, amplifies that point.
Abernathy, director of business resources,
says, " It is paramount [that] integrators
know how their solutions will affect the
client's network and ensure the solutions
are secure. "
Admittedly, none of what follows will
necessarily render a network truly impenetrable.
Indeed, as Solutionz's Armand
laments, " The risk is real, and where there
is a will, there will be a way " - but these
Commercial Integrator NOVEMBER 2022
commercialintegrator.com
Vanco on
Where Networking
and AV Meet
AV-over-IP has been gaining traction
across the industry, and, if you're
not sure why, here are a few reasons
you should consider AVoIP for your
next project. Using standard IT networking
equipment to transmit and
switch audiovisual signals provides a
host of benefits, including the ability
to easily scale the system and monitor
devices. You can expand any
system by simply adding additional
encoders, decoders or switches as
needed. As long as bandwidth and
the network are managed appropriately,
even distance limitations
are squashed since the content can
often go wherever the network
does. Legacy gear can also benefit
from a robust structured cable plant,
using devices that convert and extend
the AV signal over Cat cable or
fiber. AVoIP can also help companies
reduce truck rolls, with the ability to
remotely monitor and troubleshoot
any issues that crop up.
With this expanded functionality,
the perception is often that AVoIP
systems are cost-prohibitive - but
that is simply not the case. The reality
is, once a system is big enough
to require an 8x16 matrix, you can
deploy an AVoIP solution at a similar
cost. And, with some savvy futureproofing
measures, you can make
sure the system is ready to expand at
a moment's notice. Maybe the project
does not call for 10 Gig switches
at installation - but integrators
should pull cable planning for this
eventuality.
Getting that infrastructure in
place is the first step toward a fully
networked system, and both your
company and your clients will reap
the rewards.
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Commercial Integrator November 2022

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