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Multimedia Platforms: Top Picks for Converged Networking
9/23/2005
www.oasis-open.org) is making headway in promoting the Open Building Information Exchange (oBIX) set of protocols, based primarily on XML. You can now obtain individual building control components that can be placed directly on an IP network. Examples include actuators (to turn a valve on and off for heating and cooling control, for example), elevator controls, sensors, and security cameras. Two manufacturers on the forefront are Siemens Building Technologies (www.sbt.siemens.com) and Andover Controls (the Continuum product; www.andovercontrols.com).Typically, you will still need an integrator who specializes in BAS, to help make all the components work together, especially if you need to link to existing proprietary systems. One area of concern in this nascent market is security of network access. Many BAS manufacturers offer basic password protection only. Chaos could ensue if a hacker got into the system, and the potential results could be devastating if the BAS controls the fire suppression systems. For this reason, prudent organizations implement multiple network-security techniques to separate and protect the BAS traffic.
IP speakers. My last choice is a very specific product which, so far, seems to be available from a few sources, including Berbee Information Networks Corp. (www.berbee.com) and Valcom (www.valcom.com). It’s an audio speaker for building paging and announcements. Berbee offers both AC-powered and Power-over-Ethernet (P'E) versions, the latter providing more flexibility in placement. Berbee’s speakers are available as ceiling panels, wall panels, horns, and weatherproof forms, while Valcom’s are available as wall and ceiling models, and in P'E only (but they also offer “talkback”). The speakers can be part of a new installation, or interfaced to an existing paging system. Potential uses are to replace defective speakers, to allow placement in locations where only Category 5/6 cable is available, or to function as a portion of an entire paging system installed with a new voice over IP (VoIP) phone system.
The benefits of this last use are the ability to employ the same cabling everywhere and to avoid separately maintained systems. As with legacy systems, an IP-based paging system can be zoned, and if used in concert with a VoIP system, the zones can be configured by logical uses and groupings as well as or rather than by physical areas.
Peter’s Picks
When it comes to emerging technologies for converged networks, here’s what I’m looking at: dual-mode phones, digital signage, and IP cameras and digital storage.
Dual-mode phones.
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