Create New Topic

Steve Mitchell

A few years ago this would be more relevant than it could (or should) be today. So-called "convergence" isn't an event but an evolution. In many environments IT will continue to absorb the responsibility for providing the physical security as infrastructure and the security personnel are another end-user.

Casinos might be a special case in that cameras are a mission critical asset and the risk of getting ripped off is both external and internal.

But in most (modern) environments core switches should be gigabit with high capacity interconnects. VLAN tagging is a convenient way to logically isolate IP video traffic.

POE port density can be a problem towards the edge--in which case it might make sense for new/dedicated equipment. But even at that the proliferation of POE for (say) IP phones is becoming common and so is POE.

My point being, a professionally managed, modern network should be able to support IP video. If it's not, maybe IP video is a good reason to modernize. There exists value in using the same infrastructure for IP video and other networking needs. The dedication of a distinct network for IP video is leaving some of that value on the floor.

Create New Topic

Steve Mitchell

I don't doubt that political / territorial is still a big deal and relevant. But, hey, so is analog. What I'm saying is the excuses are falling away. Where the security guy used to be able to say "bandwidth" or "security" he can't necessarily do so any more. I don't doubt that they're still the argument, but they won't be forever in many environments. When the argument becomes clearly political, it's increasingly difficult to justify if the infrastructure--itself designed to service the business as a whole as efficiently as possible--is able to do the job for both and makes sense to be managed singularly.

An example from retail, Yum! Brand's 'future store network' would set minimum bandwidth connections to stores, standardize network hardware in-store designed to (logically) segment wifi to customers, POS, digital signage, and IP video. And, no, the LP guy can't really argue duplicate hardware and infrastructure just because he doesn't get along with Joe over in IT..

As long as IP video is managed like analog but with RJ45 instead of BNC connectors, the customer is leaving a lot of 'internet protocol' opportunity on the floor.

Retailers have been using converged networks for 10+ years because they have to. When you have stores / branches / sites scattered around the world, it is not that feasible to have multiple independent WAN connections for each service. And for retailers, they have to see the video remotely so the shared WAN becomes a necessity.

Create New Topic

Pat Villerot

Retailers and anyone who runs credit card transactions have PCI-DSS compliance concerns which generally means that if they are a big box store they already have network infrastructure to support VLANs. Otherwise every device, including the surveillance servers gets added to their PCI audit scope of it's on the same VLAN. Even in some small Restaurant chains have some level of VLANs setup. I feel that restaurants, retail, hospitality, and healthcare facilities (due to HIPAA in the US) are the easiest to push for convergence. I have only done project on one campus but higher education seems to be fairly comfortable with convergence as well. They all already have so much junk riding on their network to begin with - AV control systems, teleconferencing, VOIP, etc. In my opinion big box retailers DEFINE converged IT.

It's places like factories and automotive corporations that I have seen the most push back. Anything that has even the most remote chance of impacting production for even a second starts a fire under IT and the production representatives will back them. Security is just a minor department.

i am willing to bet the vast majority of the time the biggest pushback from IT is sheer laziness or fear of the unknown. Just like every field there are people who are good at their job and some that you have to question who they are related to.

Create New Topic

Luis Carmona

"I feel that restaurants, retail, hospitality, and healthcare facilities (due to HIPAA in the US) are the easiest to push for convergence"

Are you sure about that? We did a hospital that was very glad we to hear we were building a physically seperate network for the cameras. The only part of the system connecting to their network being the NVR, which made it easier for them to control.

As for retailers, it depends on the size of the retailer. Do not assume because the retailer or resturant chain is a big one, that they invest a lot in "compliance". The problem is the smaller, franchise owner who has to squeeze what they can from very small margins, like a sharecropper. So many times I have seen them install free, public wireless systems to attract patrons which are also connected to the same network as their old used, Windows based POS systems that didn't even have antivirus protection on them. When you talk to them about segregating the networks so patrons don't see the POS systems, they're like "Sure, as long as it doesn't cost me a dime. Otherwise... uh, yeah, I'll get to it maybe next month."

"I am willing to bet the vast majority of the time the biggest pushback from IT is sheer laziness or fear of the unknown."

Unfortunately, yes, very true. Not all the time, but more often than non-IT people probably realize. That's why is you don't have staff that are very IT proficient, you'll probably never recognize it.

Create New Topic

Undisclosed Integrator #1

We don't have a single client using more than 3-5 cameras on their network. I could never put our company's name behind infrastructure that we don't know front to back. If it is impossible to put in our own lines then fine but "convergence" is nice in theory, in practice its a hot mess. Think about it, one day some IT admin screws with the network and blocks port traffic within the network.. Cameras go down and the customer is upset... You consult with IT and they say "we didn't do anything" and you're left with trying to figure out their mess. To the customer it doesn't matter that IT did it, the blame game gets you no where. So I say NEVER piggy back on their network unless absolutely nessesary.

The French government has notified a high-profile Paris coding academy that it risks a fine of up to 1.5 million euros (about $1.7m) if it...

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.

Member Login

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.