Networking and Telecommunication

This section deals with voice and data communications. Typical client requirements are intercom, multiple phone extensions, public address, VIP filter, voicemail/answering machine, data server, high speed (100Mbps) ethernet (home network), wireless access point and broadband internet connection.

Even medium-size residences (say 4-6 bedrooms) can easily implement all of these - with cost increasing in relation to the different degrees of sophistication and the telephone services supplied by the carrier (such as Direct Dialling In or DDI).

If you work from home or wish to have a home office, you may also need additional telephone lines and handset features.

If you are already familiar with these technologies please feel free to go to the next topic!

Requirements, Requirements

Outlining telecommunication requirements can be difficult and more so right now (2003) when manufacturers specs change by leaps and bounds and Voice-over-IP (VoIP) is just around the corner - but here you have a first pass based on our (UK) experience:

First, determine your phone line requirements, as they will drive the equipment you need to install. Below, we set out a simple "three level" of telephone features:

1. You can start with at least two standard phone lines:
   - Line 1 is your normal line, it receives incoming calls and you can run security monitoring services such as BT Redcare. You have the option to get the "call sign" service from the carrier - where you get a second phone number for the same line with a different ring tone.
   - Line 2 is your outgoing call line, your fax line and broadband internet (unless you use a cable provider).
   
2. The next step up is to replace "Line 1" with a digital service such as ISDN HomeHighway. The ISDN line can now back up the broadband connection and you get an additional phone line. This third line can be used to support say, your home office.
   
3. A further upgrade may be to convert "Line 2" to the business plan and add 10 Direct Dial-In (DDI) numbers - so calls can now be routed to specific extensions in the house.

There is a wide choice of cost-effective small-scale Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PBX or PABX) such as the Panasonic KXT206E (6 extensions, from £500 ($800)) or KXTA624 (up to 24 extensions and price from £1,000 ($1,500)). And the level of functions and sophistication goes all the way up to systems like the touchtone phone Splicecom Maximiser.

Panasonic KXT206E		Splicecom Maximiser

Home networking requirements are easier to outline as most equipment meets ethernet standards and thus is compatible - and in most cases upgradeable. Typical requirement list is:

• 100Mpbs CAT5e wiring infrastructure (upgradeable to 1000Mbps).
• 2 wires per access point location (one wire if it is just for a net-cam).
• sockets/wires where computers, control equipment, wireless access points, switches, and net appliances are likely to be placed.
• Wireless networking as required (802.11a preferred, but 802.11b equally acceptable).
• 1 UPS protected, rack mounted MS Windows server sized to requirements.

Actual personal computers (PCs) can be procured to precise requirements from high performance multi-screen tower PCs, to portables and tablet PCs. PCs can be designed to match room decoration (for instance by using wood cases) and can be made to silent or almost silent (for instance for use in home cinemas or living spaces).

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Other things to remember

Reuse. Most CAT5e wire that will be installed will also work for other connectivity requirements (lighting, thermostats, low voltage controls, etc.). By careful planning you can minimise the amount of wiring while providing future flexibility. See Wiring for further details.

Networking equipment consumes power and heats up.  Some sort of ventilation in the equipment closet is a must.  Also the equipment comes with fans so placing the wiring closet away from sleeping areas or in sound insulated spaces is highly recommended.

Be generous.  Remember that the price of 100Mbps network cards is coming down all the time — currently at around £7 ($10) retail)—.  So don't be surprised if fridges, washing machines and other domestic appliances start appearing with wired/wireless ethernet ports. Plan for this by providing an access point or at least, a near-by empty space for a hub/switch.

Place wireless access points high.  A typical good place to place your wireless receiver is in the attic space. If the residence is large, consider where you will be using wireless access (garden, pool, kitchen?) and ensure that you at least have the option to install a wireless access point in the same room or next room/contiguous area. Wireless networking has various level of security - if you install this yourself, you should read the user manual to ensure that your happy with the security options provided by the equipment.

ADSL/Cable/Broadband. While most equipment works to a standard protocol and will provide the connectivity that you require, specific features may vary. Areas that you need to understand are firewall capabilities (to prevent hackers using or damaging your PCs), Virtual Private Network (VPN) capabilities and Network Address Translation (NAT) features.

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