Expert AV Network Infrastructure

1. AV Network Requirements Overview

Video conferencing is uniquely sensitive to network performance. Unlike data transfers that can tolerate some delay, real-time audio and video streams degrade noticeably with even minor network issues.

Why Video Conferencing Requires Specialized Network Design

• Standard corporate networks are often optimized for bursty data traffic, not the sustained, low-latency demands of AV.
• Real-time AV traffic is intolerant of packet loss, jitter, and high latency, leading to glitches, dropouts, and poor user experience.
• Video conferencing network design must prioritize AV traffic to ensure consistent quality.

Bandwidth Requirements (per endpoint/participant)

• 4K Video: 15-25 Mbps
• HD Video (1080p/720p): 2-8 Mbps
• SD Video: 0.5-1.5 Mbps
• Audio: 64-128 kbps
• Content Sharing (Screen Share): 2-10 Mbps (depending on resolution and motion)
• Note: Always factor in 20-30% overhead for protocols and network fluctuations.

Latency and Jitter Sensitivity

• Latency (Delay): Ideal <150ms one-way. Higher latency leads to people talking over each other and unnatural pauses.
• Jitter (Packet Delay Variation): Ideal <30ms. High jitter causes distorted audio, robotic voices, and frozen video frames.
• Real-time communications require consistent packet delivery, making latency optimization and jitter reduction paramount.

The Cost of Network-Related Video Conferencing Failures

• Lost Productivity: Meetings derailed, decisions postponed.
• Frustrated Users: Reduced adoption of critical communication tools.
• Reputational Damage: Poor experience for clients or external partners.
• Wasted Resources: Time spent troubleshooting instead of strategic work.

Integration with Existing Corporate Networks vs. Dedicated AV Networks

• Integrated: Leverages existing infrastructure, potentially cost-effective initially. However, it requires meticulous VLAN segmentation and traffic prioritization to isolate AV traffic and can be complex to manage without impacting other services.
• Dedicated AV Networks: Offers optimal performance, simplified management, and enhanced security for AV systems. While requiring an upfront investment, dedicated AV networks often provide a lower total cost of ownership by ensuring reliability and reducing troubleshooting overhead. This is the highly recommended approach for critical AV deployments.

2. Network Architecture Design

A well-architected network is the backbone of successful video conferencing. We focus on creating resilient and high-performance designs tailored to AV traffic.

Dedicated AV Network Topology

• Separate VLAN configuration for AV traffic: Isolates AV streams from general data traffic, preventing interference and enabling dedicated QoS implementation and bandwidth management.
• Core switch requirements and specifications: High-throughput, low-latency core switches with sufficient backplane capacity, deep buffers, and robust QoS capabilities.
• Access switch deployment and port configuration: Strategically placed access switches with adequate port density, PoE/PoE+ for powering AV endpoints (cameras, microphones, displays), and configured for AV VLANs.
• Wireless infrastructure for mobile devices and laptops: Optimized Wi-Fi for stable connections, especially in conference rooms, with considerations for BYOD and guest access.
• Network segmentation and security boundaries: Enforcing clear boundaries between AV, corporate, and guest networks enhances security and manageability.

Bandwidth Planning & Allocation

Accurate bandwidth forecasting is crucial. We analyze your current and future needs:

• 4K Video: 15-25 Mbps per endpoint
• HD Video: 2-8 Mbps per endpoint
• Audio: 64-128 kbps per participant
• Content Sharing: 2-10 Mbps depending on resolution and content dynamism
• Overhead and Protocol Considerations: A 20-30% buffer is added to accommodate network protocol overhead (TCP/IP, UDP, RTP) and traffic fluctuations.

Thorough bandwidth management ensures sufficient capacity for all concurrent sessions without degradation.

Quality of Service (QoS) Implementation

QoS isn’t optional for AV; it’s essential.

• Traffic classification and marking (DSCP): Identifying and marking AV traffic (e.g., using Differentiated Services Code Point – DSCP EF for voice, AF41 for video) allows network devices to prioritize it.
• Bandwidth reservation and prioritization: Allocating guaranteed bandwidth and higher priority queues for marked AV traffic.
• Queue management and congestion avoidance: Implementing mechanisms like Low Latency Queuing (LLQ) or Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ) to ensure AV packets are processed first during congestion.
• Real-time transport protocol (RTP) optimization: Ensuring the network handles RTP streams (used by most video conferencing) effectively.
• Network monitoring and performance management: Continuous monitoring of QoS policies and network performance to identify and resolve issues proactively. This is key for network optimization for video.

3. Technical Implementation Details

Our professional network installation leverages industry-best practices and high-quality components for a reliable and scalable AV network.

Core Network Infrastructure

• Switches:
  • Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series: Enterprise-grade, feature-rich, ideal for large-scale deployments.
  • Juniper EX Series: High-performance, scalable, and reliable for demanding network environments.
  • Aruba CX Switches: Modern, AI-powered, simplified management, excellent for campus and data center.
• Backbone: Fiber optic backbone (10Gbps/40Gbps or higher) for inter-switch links and high-bandwidth aggregation.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE+): IEEE 802.3at (PoE+) or 802.3bt (PoE++) on access switches to power cameras, VoIP phones, and other AV endpoints directly, simplifying cabling.

Wireless Network Design

• Access Points: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or Wi-Fi 6E access points for increased capacity, efficiency, and performance in dense environments.
• Dedicated SSID: A separate SSID for conference room AV devices to simplify connection and apply specific wireless QoS policies.
• Channel Planning and Interference Mitigation: Careful RF planning to minimize co-channel and adjacent-channel interference, ensuring stable wireless connections.
• Wireless QoS and Traffic Shaping: Implementing WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) and appropriate QoS mapping from wired to wireless.
• Guest Network Isolation and Security: Securely isolating guest Wi-Fi access from the corporate and AV networks.

Network Security Implementation

Protecting your AV infrastructure is critical.

• 802.1X Authentication: Port-based network access control to authenticate devices connecting to the AV network.
• Network Access Control (NAC) Systems: Comprehensive solutions for policy enforcement, device profiling, and guest access management.
• Firewall Rules and Access Control Lists (ACLs): Precisely defining allowed traffic flows to and from the AV network segments, blocking unauthorized access.
• VPN Connectivity: Secure remote access for management, monitoring, and support of AV network infrastructure.
• Security Monitoring and Threat Detection: Implementing intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) and regular log analysis. This ensures robust security implementation and access control.

4. Performance Optimization

Beyond initial setup, ongoing optimization ensures your video conferencing remains flawless.

Latency Reduction Techniques

• Network path optimization and routing: Ensuring AV traffic takes the most direct and efficient path with minimal hops.
• Local Internet Breakout for Cloud Services: Routing traffic destined for cloud video conferencing platforms (Zoom, Teams, Webex) directly to the internet from branch offices, rather than backhauling, to reduce latency.
• Content Delivery Network (CDN) Integration: For platforms that leverage CDNs, ensuring optimal routing to the nearest CDN PoP.
• Protocol Optimization and Acceleration: Where applicable, using WAN optimization controllers or SD-WAN features to optimize specific protocols.
• Network Equipment Placement and Configuration: Strategic placement of switches and access points to minimize physical distances and optimize signal paths.

Redundancy & High Availability

Minimize downtime and ensure business continuity.

• Dual-Homed Network Connections: Redundant connections for critical AV devices and core network components.
• Link Aggregation (LAG/LACP): Bundling multiple physical links into a single logical link for increased bandwidth and redundancy.
• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) / Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP): Preventing Layer 2 loops while ensuring fast convergence in case of link failure.
• Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) / Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP): Providing default gateway redundancy for AV network segments.
• Automatic Failover and Recovery Systems: Designing network redundancy and failover systems that automatically switch to backup paths or equipment with minimal disruption.

5. Integration Requirements

We ensure your new or upgraded AV network integrates smoothly with your existing ecosystem.

Corporate Network Integration

• Existing Infrastructure Assessment: Thorough review of your current network to identify integration points and potential challenges.
• Legacy System Compatibility: Planning for interoperability with any existing AV or network systems that must be retained.
• Phased Migration Planning: Developing a step-by-step migration plan to minimize disruption to ongoing operations.
• Minimal Disruption Deployment: Executing the implementation with careful planning to ensure business continuity.
• Training and Knowledge Transfer: Equipping your IT team with the knowledge to manage and maintain the new AV network infrastructure.

Cloud Platform Optimization

Most modern video conferencing relies on cloud platforms. We optimize your network for:

• Microsoft Teams Network Optimization: Adhering to Microsoft’s network requirements, including connectivity to Microsoft 365 front doors and media relay optimization.
• Zoom QoS and Network Requirements: Implementing Zoom’s recommended QoS markings and ensuring adequate bandwidth and low latency to Zoom’s data centers.
• Cisco Webex Network Connectivity: Optimizing paths to Webex media nodes and applying appropriate QoS for Webex traffic.
• AWS/Azure ExpressRoute/Direct Connect Connectivity: For organizations heavily reliant on cloud, establishing dedicated private connections to cloud providers can significantly improve performance for IaaS/PaaS hosted AV solutions or unified communications platforms.
• SD-WAN Integration for Multi-Site Deployments: Leveraging SD-WAN to optimize application-aware routing, prioritize AV traffic across the WAN, and simplify management for organizations with multiple locations.