Convergence was the word of the day for Energy Dynamics LTD. Energy Dynamics is known as a leading integrator of HVAC and other automated building control systems. They recently responded to a proposal to provide a solution for a nine building campus environment. What made this particular project unique was that the request for proposal which was initially distributed to the competing system integrators was for HVAC and access control only. During the proposal process the scope of the project was broadened and Energy Dynamics was asked to propose a solution that would also address the need for video security . The customer's motivation was clear; provide the most cost effective and reliable solution that would handle HVAC, access control and video security without building two separate networks. Energy Dynamics contacted CBL Systems  to assist them in designing a network solution that would control these different applications on one single, integrated network.

 CBL Systems worked closely with Energy Dynamics in reviewing the various application requirements and in factoring in a number of considerations that were particular to this project. The project consisted of nine buildings that ranged in height from 5 floors to 24 floors per building. Each building required HVAC controls on each floor and also had access control points on all floors and at other designated locations. Additionally, there were over 220 video cameras deployed throughout the campus. Providing a highly reliable network solution was critical due to the security requirements of this particular project and the geographic location of the project which often experienced extreme temperatures. Additionally, the customer desired a solution that was easy to install and maintain. Reducing the installation and maintenance costs was a key consideration as well as the ease of network expansion for future growth.

To support this initiative Energy Dynamics chose the CBL Systems IQ1000 Smart Switch System  which provides a single fibre self healing Gigabit solution. The Smart Switch System deployed with optical fibre was considered to be more reliable and efficient than alternative Category 5 copper based solutions or other managed fibre switch offerings. Fibre delivers up to 200 times the data rate of copper and maintains speed no matter how many connections and is immune to electro-magnetic interference, lightning, and other environmental factors. Fibre is also better suited for longer distances between nodes. Unlike other optical fibre switches, the IQ 1000 Smart Switch System auto configures itself and thereby it eliminates any software or manual setting or configurations. This feature alone represented a significant cost savings associated with the cost of installation and on going maintenance support.

The decision to construct the network around the CBL IQ1000 Smart Switch System was based on a number of factors that included:
     

       • The self managed / self healing redundant capability of the patent pending Quasar technology IQ1000 Smart Switch. 
       • "Plug and go" — quick and easy installation and low cost of maintenance.
       • 10/100/1000 Mb — auto negotiating speed up to 1 gigabit for each RJ-45 port.
       • Network expansion — no reengineering required, low cost future expansion.
       • Lowest total cost network solution.

The final network design offered an architecture that provided an optical fibre ring within each building as well as an optical fibre ring between each building. This network design coupled with the IQ 1000 Smart Switch System offered an even more robust network solution to the customer. The redundant self-healing capability of the IQ 1000 Smart Switch System ensures network integrity and reliable data transport to each node within each of the buildings and among all of the building in the network.
Although this article references one specific application highlighting the migration from multiple independent network solutions to converged integrated networks it should be noted that CBL Systems continues to support an ever increasing number of projects / programs similar in scope to the application presented here. CBL Systems expects to see more projects in the future that are based on network configurations using systems that are capable of combing varied and diverse applications into one integrated network rather that a series of stand alone networks.
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