AV Network Design and Implementation

In today’s interconnected world, audiovisual (AV) networks have become critical infrastructure for organizations of all sizes. From video conferencing to digital signage, educational institutions to corporate environments, the need for reliable AV networks has never been greater. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to AV network design, implementation, and troubleshooting.

Understanding the Fundamentals

The sooner you can start gathering use cases and needs the better. Jim Colquhoun from Avidex emphasizes the importance of early planning: “The conversation with clients and end users should start before we even talk about the systems. It is important to help the client understand that AV networking requirements are not common to the typical data management. It encompasses everything from the type of traffic we will deliver, to the containment of that traffic.”

Early planning must address network architecture decisions, bandwidth requirements, security considerations, and future scalability needs. “AV and IT teams may collaborate to determine the bandwidth, access, operational, and security needs”, says Extron’s Joe da Silva. The involvement of IT departments at this stage can prevent costly delays and ensure proper integration with existing systems.

At the start is also a good time to assess how the users of a system will leverage the technology. “The other piece of the puzzle is understanding how the users of the room will interact with the system. With so many options and routes, a user interface can make or break a great system”, advises Joel Mulpeter from Crestron. This involves getting feedback from not only stakeholders but also those on your campus or in your company that will regularly use this new system.

Essential Design Considerations

Network architecture planning begins with fundamental questions about organization. James King from UNLV explains: “Will all your AV equipment be on one subnet/network or will it be broken down into categories like buildings, floors, equipment type, equipment function?” This decision impacts everything from network management to troubleshooting capabilities.

Tod Musgrave from Netgear emphasizes the importance of comprehensive planning: “The design stage is the most critical for a project because avoiding bad decisions, insufficient information, or not checking with a team of AV/IT experts can cost a lot of time, trouble, and valuable resources later down the road.”

Technical Requirements and Protocol Considerations

Bandwidth requirements in AV networks differ significantly from traditional data networks. Musgrave explains, “A good place to start would be to gain an understanding of bandwidth requirements of the planned network traffic and the endpoints being utilized (cameras, encoders, microphones, production tools, graphic engines). AV over IP can consume a considerable amount of network bandwidth especially video.”

Laurent Masia, Senior Director of Product Line Management at Netgear, recommends generous bandwidth allocation: “We usually recommend doubling it… planning for at least 50 percent more bandwidth than estimated.” This approach proved crucial in a recent convention center installation where initial bandwidth estimates failed to account for peak usage during large events.

Protocol Management

James King highlights a crucial distinction in AV networking: “When dealing with lossless AV packages, the network cannot be dropping packages like a normal data network. Also when dealing with audio, the timing of when the packages reach their destination is important. Many of the audio protocols require a master clock to make sure packages are arriving in the correct order and in the correct time frame.”

Which protocol your organization standardizes on is a major consideration. There are some which tout the ability to use the same technology across multiple manufacturers. This “interoperability” is a great sales and marketing angle. Users should validate those claims. Some companies which claim to be “interoperable” with others using the same protocol quite simply do not work as advertised. While they may ultimately have the ability to work with competing products, the hoops required to get there may not be worth the trouble. Verify either by getting demo equipment or talking with others who have experience. Leveraging groups like HETMA, ETC, or AV Users Group is a good place to start.

Implementation Strategies

The decision between utilizing an existing corporate LAN or implementing a private network for AV systems represents one of the most significant choices in AV network design. This choice impacts everything from performance and security to cost and maintenance, requiring careful consideration of multiple factors and stakeholder needs.

Understanding the Corporate LAN Approach

Mulpeter highlights the evolution in this space: “We’re certainly seeing customers do more on corporate LANs now than when AV-over-IP was first introduced, as the technology has gained broader acceptance and understanding among specifiers. The quality of network switches that previously were intended to handle simple data traffic has been upgraded, too, and now they can support the bandwidth required.”

Organizations with strong IT relationships often find significant benefits in leveraging their corporate LAN for AV systems. James King from UNLV notes that this approach allows for cost-effective utilization of existing infrastructure while maintaining centralized management and monitoring capabilities. The unified security policies and simplified remote access make it an attractive option for many organizations. Integrated backup and recovery systems further enhance the appeal of this approach.

However, success on corporate networks requires specific conditions. As King explains, “For corporate networks I would recommend those who have a strong relationship with their network admins. Also the AV team needs to have a good understanding of how the AV equipment impacts the network.” This relationship between AV and IT teams becomes crucial for successful implementation and ongoing management.

The Case for Private Networks

Tod Musgrave from Netgear presents a strong argument for separation: “NETGEAR recommends establishing a separate and private network from the corporate LAN. This addresses the IT managers’ concerns of flooding, congestion, security, QoS, authentication, management and other cause and effect.” This goes back to picking the right AV over IP protocol for your organization. “When deployed on busy, converged networks, these codecs can fail, making an isolated network necessary in some cases” says da Silva. Get examples of the gear and codec you are considering and put them to the test.

King adds valuable context for when private networks make sense: “For private networks I would recommend those who do not have a strong relationship with their network admins as well as those who do not have a strong understanding of the impact that AV can have on the network.” This approach provides greater control and reduces the potential for conflicts with existing network traffic and policies.

Laurent Masia from Netgear explains the technical rationale behind choosing private networks: “IT networks are not designed to manipulate multicast or time-sensitive networking (TSN). While both of these networking technologies can improve network performance, they can overload an IT network. Conversely, AV data is fragile, and many things can come from the IT network that could equally damage AV over IP.”

The Reality of Hybrid Solutions

Jim Colquhoun from Avidex presents a practical perspective that many organizations face: “No matter what we are providing, it is going to touch the corporate network. We most often cannot avoid it. When doing a unified communication system (Teams, Zoom, or any of the other 300+ software options) there is equipment that needs to access the internet and the corporate network in one way or another.”

This reality often leads to hybrid solutions where organizations maintain critical AV systems on private networks while integrating unified communications with corporate infrastructure. Management systems must bridge both environments, and security policies need to span across networks seamlessly. This approach combines the benefits of both worlds while managing their respective challenges.

Implementation Considerations

When implementing on a corporate LAN, early IT department engagement becomes crucial. As Colquhoun advises, “Getting in front of the IT team as early as possible will help to mitigate the delays and roadblocks that can arise.” Organizations must thoroughly document network requirements and impacts, plan for security compliance, and establish appropriate QoS policies. Network segmentation through dedicated VLANs for AV traffic, along with proper routing policies and multicast boundaries, helps ensure optimal performance.

For private network implementations, infrastructure planning takes center stage. Masia emphasizes that “A good AV network design will allow for future growth.” Organizations must design for scalability while planning redundancy paths and considering maintenance access requirements. Security integration becomes more straightforward but requires careful attention to access controls, monitoring, and policy documentation.

Financial Implications

The financial landscape differs significantly between these approaches. Corporate LAN integration typically involves lower initial hardware costs and reduced infrastructure requirements, with the advantage of shared maintenance resources. However, organizations may face potential network upgrade needs to meet AV requirements.

Private networks, while requiring higher initial investment and dedicated infrastructure costs, offer greater control over the environment. Separate maintenance requirements add to the ongoing costs, but organizations gain the ability to schedule upgrades and changes according to their specific needs rather than aligning with corporate IT schedules.

Making an Informed Decision

The choice between corporate LAN and private network ultimately depends on an organization’s specific circumstances. Technical requirements such as bandwidth needs, latency sensitivity, and quality of service demands play crucial roles. Equally important are operational considerations including maintenance capabilities, growth projections, and risk tolerance.

Organizations must evaluate their IT department’s expertise and resources, their AV team’s network knowledge, and the quality of existing infrastructure. Support staff availability and budget constraints further influence this decision. As Mulpeter concludes: “Whether a system is deployed on a corporate or private network, there is no performance difference as long as the proper planning has been done.”

Success lies not in choosing the theoretically superior option, but in selecting and implementing the approach that best aligns with an organization’s specific needs, capabilities, and goals. Thorough evaluation, careful planning, and appropriate implementation ensure optimal results regardless of the chosen path.

Documentation and Planning

Documentation proves crucial for successful implementation. “The AV team needs to be prepared with documentation to support the requirements of the system, not just talk about it. IT folks want to see things in writing. They want to be confident that we know what we are doing,” states Colquhoun. This documentation should include network diagrams, bandwidth calculations, security protocols, and implementation timelines.

Best Practices for Success

The implementation of a successful AV network requires a comprehensive approach that extends beyond technical specifications. Through our expert interviews, several crucial practices emerge as fundamental to achieving optimal outcomes.

Masia emphasizes the importance of proper network topology: “We recommend building a spine-leaf or hub-spoke topology with adequate redundancy as best practice. Stacking units can cause issues later with increased latency, bottlenecks and inefficiency.” This architectural foundation proves crucial for long-term stability and performance.

Successful network design begins with thorough bandwidth calculation and capacity planning. Organizations should double their initial bandwidth estimates. This approach ensures adequate headroom for peak usage periods and future expansion.

James King from UNLV stresses the importance of understanding traffic patterns: “When dealing with lossless AV packages, the network cannot be dropping packages like a normal data network. Also when dealing with audio, the timing of when the packages reach their destination is important.” This understanding should inform QoS configurations and network segmentation strategies.

Documentation and Change Management

Documentation emerges as a critical success factor, particularly in complex environments. Jim Colquhoun from Avidex explains: “The AV team needs to be prepared with documentation to support the requirements of the system, not just talk about it. IT folks want to see things in writing. They want to be confident that we know what we are doing.”

Effective documentation should capture not only the technical specifications but also operational procedures and troubleshooting guides. This documentation becomes particularly valuable during system upgrades or when dealing with staff changes. Organizations should maintain detailed records of network configurations, including VLAN assignments, multicast settings, and QoS policies.

Change management procedures deserve special attention. As Joe da Silva from Extron notes: “One common challenge is understanding the relationship between IT and AV. Who will specify, install, configure, and maintain the AV Network?” Clear procedures for implementing changes, along with rollback plans, help prevent disruptions to critical services.

Security Integration

Security considerations must be woven into every aspect of AV network design and operation. As da Silva emphasizes: “The AV network design process starts with a thorough understanding of the requirements. AV and IT teams may collaborate to determine the bandwidth, access, operational, and security needs.”

Modern AV networks require sophisticated security measures that go beyond traditional IT security protocols. This includes securing control systems, protecting content streams, and managing user access. Organizations should implement comprehensive security policies that address both physical and network security while maintaining usability for end users.

Joel Mulpeter from Crestron adds insight about security in corporate environments: “Security can also play a big part in this decision. Network switches off the corporate network with low security can be a concern in some environments, compared to the individual company’s or facility’s IT policies regarding hardware.”

Professional Development and Training

The rapidly evolving nature of AV technology demands ongoing education and training. Industry experts recommend a multi-faceted approach to professional development. This includes formal certifications through organizations like AVIXA and SMPTE, manufacturer-specific training programs, and hands-on experience with various systems and configurations.

Tod Musgrave emphasizes the importance of diverse learning sources: “I recommend gaining education from a lot of different sources to validate, learn best practices and gain knowledge from different perspectives.” This approach helps professionals understand both theoretical principles and practical applications.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Proactive monitoring and maintenance prove essential for maintaining optimal network performance. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions that provide visibility into both AV-specific metrics and general network performance indicators. This allows teams to identify and address potential issues before they impact users.

Regular maintenance schedules should include firmware updates, security patches, and performance optimization. As Colquhoun notes: “AV teams need to be well versed and competent in discussing all aspects of the network with the client. That means that we have competence in the IT space as it relates to the systems to be deployed.”

Stakeholder Communication

Effective communication between all stakeholders emerges as a crucial best practice. This includes regular meetings between AV and IT teams, clear escalation procedures for issues, and ongoing dialogue with end users about their needs and experiences. Organizations should establish formal communication channels and regular review processes to ensure alignment between technical capabilities and user requirements.

Future-Proofing

Successful AV networks must be designed with future growth in mind. Laurent Masia advises: “A good AV network design will allow for future growth. To do that properly, we need to understand the volume of bandwidth, especially from a multicast standpoint, and we usually recommend doubling it.”

This forward-thinking approach should consider not only bandwidth requirements but also emerging technologies and changing user needs. Organizations should maintain flexibility in their network design to accommodate new protocols, higher resolution content, and evolving collaboration tools.

Testing and Validation

Comprehensive testing procedures ensure network reliability and performance. Organizations should develop and maintain detailed testing protocols for both initial deployment and ongoing operations. This includes performance testing under various load conditions, failover testing for redundant systems, and regular security assessments.

Joe da Silva emphasizes the importance of thorough testing: “A comprehensive analysis of the existing network infrastructure and these requirements is crucial in making an informed and effective decision on whether to implement a converged or isolated network, ensuring optimal performance and long-term reliability.”

By following these best practices, organizations can build and maintain robust AV networks that meet current needs while preparing for future challenges. Success requires ongoing attention to both technical details and operational procedures, supported by well-trained staff and clear communication channels.

Emerging Technologies and Future Trends

The landscape of AV networking continues to evolve rapidly, driven by advances in both hardware capabilities and software innovations. 8K video adoption represents one of the most significant challenges on the horizon, demanding unprecedented bandwidth and processing capabilities from AV networks. Mulpeter notes, “Sending content or streaming between switches these days isn’t a big lift for the majority of switches used for AV-over-IP systems, but as you start to send content from switch to switch, understanding the impact on uplinks can be important.” This consideration becomes even more crucial as organizations begin to implement 8K video streams, which require up to four times the bandwidth of 4K content.

AI-powered network management systems are emerging as powerful tools for optimizing AV network performance. These systems can predict bandwidth requirements, automatically adjust quality of service parameters, and identify potential issues before they impact users. Tod Musgrave from Netgear sees this as a crucial development: “Many of the traditional network challenges can now be addressed through intelligent systems that learn from usage patterns and automatically optimize network configurations.” This technology proves particularly valuable in environments with dynamic content requirements, such as educational institutions or corporate facilities where usage patterns can vary significantly throughout the day.

Cloud-native AV solutions represent another significant trend, blending traditional AV infrastructure with cloud services. This hybrid approach enables more flexible scaling and remote management capabilities while introducing new considerations for bandwidth management and security. Jim Colquhoun from Avidex explains that “The AV industry needs to be prepared to initiate the conversation and not react when the client brings up the topic.” This preparation includes understanding how cloud services integrate with on-premises AV systems and managing the associated security implications.

The emergence of real-time analytics platforms provides unprecedented visibility into AV network performance and usage patterns. These platforms go beyond simple monitoring, offering predictive maintenance capabilities and detailed usage analytics that help organizations optimize their AV investments. Laurent Masia from Netgear emphasizes the importance of this trend: “Understanding how your network is being used, not just how it’s performing, becomes crucial as AV systems become more central to daily operations.”

AV Networking Nirvana

Success in AV network implementation ultimately depends on thorough planning, strong collaboration between AV and IT teams, and deep understanding of both technical requirements and organizational needs. Regardless of the networking being private or public you and your team should set aside time to do proper planning. By following the insights and best practices organizations can build robust, scalable, and efficient AV networks that meet their current needs while preparing for future growth.