It can be done!

Converged Production Networks are possibile

 

After speaking to a lot of people in the last couple of days at SMPTE Sydney (and Entech... let's not forget about Entech....) I thought I'd write a quick post to summarise what it is that we are doing at the Opera House.

About three years ago I got talking to the in-house Information Systems (IS) team about the possibilities of a "converged" network. The IS world has been talking about Convergence for about a decade; I even operated the sound at a few of their conferences on the topic. Convergence was nothing new to them, and when I brought it up they were pretty confident that we could "do it".

By "it" I mean combine all of our IP-based services onto one network. At the moment, that includes:

• The SOH Webpage
• Ticketing/Box Office Services
• Security Cameras
• Telephones
• The Lighting Control Network
• Audio streams/distribution for the Concert Hall and Opera Theatre
• Audio and Amplifier Control for the Concert Hall, Opera Theatre and Drama Theatre
• Motor control for the Concert Hall PA
• Stage Communications

Plus all the other things that we don't think of on a daily basis.

I won't lie; it wasn't an easy path. We made a few blunders, but nothing too serious. Okay, we did crash the network, twice. But those crashes were actually caused by separating services rather than combining them.

Why did we do it?

There are a number of reasons.

Firstly, and most importantly, companies like Cisco and HP have been doing networking for decades. It's what they do best, and the reason they are on top is because their stuff works. All the time. If there is a fault then I get an email straight away. The Network admin gets an email. If we dont' fix it, then the Executive gets an email. 

In terms of reliability you can't beat these professional systems.

Next up is cost. There is only a need for one network administrator, one set of spare parts, one warranty contract. We don't need to duplicate infrastructure, and that means that things get cheap, quickly.

In terms of service, I can run out a single fibre cable, and within 10 minutes I can set up a whole production office/box office/security office, all running off one of my switches. We do this all the time. A production manager will want to be near their event, but will also need to answer their phone and check their emails. They can now do all of that, and sell tickets on the side. Or they can be on a comms panel, talking to the stage crews.

Basically, there are advantages for days. 

Separation and Show Criticality

Detractors will mention things like separated services and "Show Criticality". 

In terms of separation, the IS world are already leaps and bounds ahead of us in the production world. They've been keeping your Credit Card number safe every time you swipe it at an EFTPOS terminal for years. They can link offices half-way across the world and make you think you're in the same building. There are so many ways to keep networks "separated" over the same infrastructure that's it's a little scary.

And critically? Cisco switches are used in military installations and banks all over the world. I know that losing a show is a dreadful thing in our world, but in terms of really needing things to work first time, every time, those kinds of industries have us beaten, hands down. 

Besides, would you trust a product with a R&D team larger than most theatre companies, or a company that only has four people on staff? 

We all know that the best way to get results is to get trained professionals.

You don't ask a flyman to run a lighting console, so why would you ask a Lighting guy to run your network?

Anyway, I've gone on a little longer than expected here. The moral of the story is to plan your network. If you're not a network planner, then maybe ask around for one. Heck, email me on camoneillsystems@gmail.com if you'd like. I'm more than happy to look over network designs, or even just to chat about our network.

For now, let me just say it one more time; it can be done.