Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1081695
12 I ICT TODAY FIGURE 5: A typical zone enclosure. integrate with commonly used software systems for room scheduling, VoIP calling and soft-codec platforms like Zoom and Skype. When data is analyzed over time, statistics on room and equipment usage can allow for proactive maintenance and be enabled to provide specific device diagnostics to help-desk providers or IT trouble ticketing systems. Furthermore, network integrated AV systems provide a number of other advantages. They extend collaboration beyond the office or building walls. AV solutions can integrate with other building systems, such as mass notification, to provide critical information in the case of an emergency situation. They also allow users to display presentations residing on the network without the use of a flash drive. To empower the convergence of AV and IT, ICT designers should consider having the IP/AV structured cabling installed by the same contractor as the cabling for the other systems. If the ICT design is not thoughtful at producing a reliable and available solution, many of the advantages of an IB can suffer. Even in the scheme of an IB, it remains fundamental to provide high quality voice and data. HOW DOES THE INTELLIGENCE OF A BUILDING IMPACT ICT DESIGN AND SYSTEMS? An IB connects many previously siloed yet critical systems. As such, ICT professionals must be aware of different requirements for topology, pathways, telecommu- nications room (TR) layout and device/systems control locations. Redundancy is more important in this environment than when designing traditional voice and data systems. As a result, the needs of different systems might be better met with topologies other than the hierarchical star used in telecommunications applications for the last three decades. Certain brands of LED lighting, for example, accommodate a serial bus design. Power monitoring may require a ring or bus configuration. To further complicate matters, the increasing application of Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices mandates that the designer looks at how devices are powered, in addition to how they are networked. It is certainly time to reexamine the design strategies that have become ubiquitous in traditional buildings. The additional building links required for sensors, control panels and detectors might be best provided through a different topology. For example, the zone cabling approach allows for easier and more cost-effective modifications to the sensor system. This strategy is encouraged in ANSI/BICSI 007-2017 for a variety of reasons. Put simply, zone cabling distributes connection points, such as switches and patch bays, in locations closer to endpoints, outside of the intermediate distribution frames (IDFs). A primary reason is that the cabling density for IBs is increased due to present and future sensor deployment. Thus, the size of zone coverage areas needs to be reduced. As with all network drops, when calculating device density, account for future growth. There could be considerable growth in an intelligent building. Accessibility, security, and the environment in which they will be installed are considerations when locating zone enclosures (Figure 5).