| Unmanaged Switches Include: |
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What is Managed Switching?
Managed Switching™ is the automated operation of several
dissimilar unmanaged switches and other remote management technologies.
Active Remote Management
Conference Rooms & Presentation Systems require the combined operation
of multiple types of remotely controlled switches. Active Management offers
off-the-shelf software solutions that coordinated switching control without
any additional programming of specialized hardware.
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| Advanced control software meets these challeges. Extends control beyond a single moderator and reduces your cost. |
The transition towards computer driven content applied in Conference Rooms & Presentation Systems require control solutions that support both legacy platforms and newer switching technologies.
Content widely driven directly from computers doesn't mean organizations will abandon existing technologies. Input signals ranging from VCR's to DVD to digital camera's and other audio or video sources complicate the buyers decisions. This diversity increases the cost of deploying "traditional" switching solutions in these applications.
Advancements in technology, and the transition between old and new A/V sources demands changes in the way we manage audio and video source data. Hardware replacement is neither required nor acceptable by many operations. So, there is a need to manage the existing devices with your new switches.
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However, they'll need to challenge traditional thinking about the switching hardware, the type of signals being managed (switched) and what control mechanisms will be required.
Take a closer look and you'll discover managing computer driven content is going to run about a third of the cost while installation will require a fraction of the time and manpower.
The complexities arise from the analog side, how those signals were historically managed and the propensity to convert digital video so it can be switched through high bandwidth video switch devices.
On the input side, converting computer video adds an unnecessary layer of hardware. And, converters increase the total cost of ownership by $500 to $1,000 per switched port.
Switch requirements now include computer switches (for unbalanced computer audio and video) to eliminate data converters. These switches need to coexist with balanced audio switches, video only switch devices and audio/video switches.
On the output side, we not only have wall mounted video displays and projectors, but unique demands for balanced and unbalanced audio as well as output devices for computers. The latter opens the door for switching scenario's that could not be envisioned with conventional switching equipment.
Click to see a Flash example of Integrated Solutions in action | |
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How this is managed depends on your application. Conference rooms may want to display video from user noptebook computers at the conference table on wall mounted displays. This may not be practical in all situations. A moderator or administrator may need to control all switching in Secured Network Operation Centers (NOC) and Presentation Rooms.
The major hurdle is controlling the various switch devices in tandem. This is generally the responsibility of the Systems Integrator contracted to supply the hardware and execute installation. Controllers supplied are usually hardware devices that require programming.
The task of programming these hardware controllers are extremely complicated taking anywhere from several days to several weeks depending the number of different switches being managed and the level of control autonomy specified by the customer.
As an alternative, many switch vendors include limited function utilities (small applications) capable of managing the devices offered by each vendor. Today, these applications are embedded in the hardware and accessible through a browser. This is an inexpensive and easy way to manage a single type of switch device. But these solutions are not designed to control multiple types, makes and models of switches.
Moving away this control isolation traditionally required those third party hardware controllers. However, software based control interfaces are emerging with unique integration models that can operate many different switches as if they were one tightly integrated switch system.
The latest software interfaces increase the flexibility of your hardware choices while providing advanced controls that can combine operation of the different types of switches.
Tron turn-key solutions empower moderators (or administrators) to selectively allow users to interact with any of the underlying switches. You might want to allow users to display their computer video on a wall mounted video display, or share complete computer control with other users. Advance interaction can be used to automatically route input devices to display or audio outputs based on your predefined business rules.
About Tron
| Tron has been a systems integrator since 1990 providing services internationally to both end-users and the hardware manufacturers. In 1994 we co-authored the first industry white paper on switching, and since have authored or co-authored over fifty additional technology papers and related articles. |
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