There are most happening trends and there are must happen trends, I find EVs and Smart Buildings very much in that synchrony. In 1997, when the Toyota Prius first hit the market with its incremented fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, it triggered a wave of efficiency demand towards all automakers. This demand sped up innovation and adoption of fuel-efficient technologies such as hybrid engines in transportation; This, in turn, paved the way for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles that are now enabling the net-zero methods in transportation. Aside from their environmental benefits, EVs are also known for their innovative features, such as user experience, safety, algorithmic-driven range prediction, and self-driving abilities making EVs a smart and sustainable solution.
Sustainability and Efficiency
Net zero and Sustainability isn't just a transportation sector goal; it's a crucial objective for any energy-dependent industry. resonating this, many companies prioritize energy efficiency, leading them to transform legacy buildings into modern, sustainable hybrid workspaces. with tailor-made Cisco Catalyst 9000 switches for smart buildings ensuring resilient and intelligent last-mile power delivery, incremented 90-watt port density and enhanced data integrity Cisco's Smart Buildings solution is pioneering these next-gen spaces.
Demonstrating the impact, here are some realized outcomes from a smart building deployment of 54,000 square feet (about half the area of a Manhattan city block). This brownfield smart building deployment resulted in annual energy savings of 27,000 kWh, reducing 23 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e). On top of that, the installation was 5-20% faster with a cost reduction of 5%. The Low-voltage DC powered PoE-LED cabling and lighting eliminated 3,500 linear feet of steel conduit that is ~ 0.648 linear feet/sq.ft with a decarbonization factor of ≈0.0009tons of CO2 per sq.ft.
The availability of 90 watts of power on each switchport has enabled daisy chaining of lights bringing in several benefits, such as significantly reduced wiring, installation time, and cost. The high density of 90-watt PoE ports on Catalyst switches, and the port count expandability with Catalyst 9400 modular footprint is extraordinary. With every switch port providing IEEE-compliant power and visibility with model-driven telemetry and programmability on power consumption, it shows an analogy with EVs and their digital maps, predictive range on fuel, and built-in navigation.
Security
Cisco smart buildings are fortified with security features like Dot1x, port security, L2/L3 ACLs, and AI Endpoint analytics. These features enable fingerprinting of IT and OT endpoints, empowering network admins to establish data-driven guardrails. AI Endpoint analytics on Catalyst Center utilizes machine learning to profile endpoints, eliminating blind spots. It also taps into the Talos security cloud database for anomaly recognition, maintaining trust scores dynamically. Real-time Threat Detection and Compliance Management with Cisco CyberVision Cloud round out the advanced security toolset. The recently introduced ASAc firewall app on Catalyst 9000 switches bolsters operational technology (OT) security with Granular segmentation and Stateful filtering.
By deploying this application at the Ethernet access edge, the ASAc firewall functions as a distributed firewall with centralized management with scalability and Simplified management. Furthermore, robust security empowers OT environments to not only function reliably but also experience increased productivity by minimizing downtime and disruptions.
Resiliency
The Catalyst 9000 power designs are incredibly resilient with their inherent hardware and software features such as Graceful Insertion and Removal (GIR) of line cards, hot swappable PSU’s and fans, stack power for power pooling, N+1 & N+N power supply redundancy designs, and xFSU capabilities (extremely fast software update), ISSU based software upgrades.
When it comes to PoE port power resiliency we already have Perpetual PoE to withstand planned software upgrades, Fast PoE for faster power recovery at the port on unplanned power outages and port prioritization to prioritize power availability for mission critical end points such as IP Cameras, badge readers and health care devices enabled by PoE.
App-Hosting
In the realm of Ethernet switches, it's crucial to recognize that not all are created equal. What sets Catalyst 9000s apart in the context of smart buildings is their distinctive app-hosting capabilities. The ability to securely host containerized applications directly on the switch, without the need for external hardware or additional computer resources adding to net-zero.
These switches go beyond being mere L2 frame forwarders; they evolve into intelligent Ethernet appliances. Through this innovation, they adeptly glean context from IT/OT sensors in a vendor-agnostic manner. This effectively breaks down silos of vendor dependencies, ensuring seamless integration. Furthermore, the Catalyst switches securely transport this data to the cloud with encryption, creating a robust and efficient ecosystem.
The real benefit lies in empowering building administrators and operations teams with data-driven insights and analytics. This information can be used to optimize space usage, improve employee experience and efficiency, and ultimately reduce energy waste in areas like HVAC and lighting. A prime example is the Cisco Spaces Environmental Analytics app. Its comprehensive dashboard displays key performance indicators (KPIs) such as floor noise levels, CO2 levels, and carbon monoxide levels, providing valuable data to make informed decisions regarding building and space management.
Telemetry and Programmability
every switchport becomes a "smart port" thanks to Power over Ethernet (PoE)-specific Model-Driven Telemetry (MDT). This technology unlocks real-time visibility into power consumption and availability on each individual port and switch, enabling the creation of insightful dashboards with live data. Here’s a simple example of a PoE assurance dashboard item built using this telemetry within the Cisco Catalyst Center. However, the possibilities extend beyond pre-built solutions. By leveraging open-source analytics and monitoring tools like Grafana, we can create highly customizable dashboards tailored to specific needs.
Smart Outcomes
Modern cars use built-in sensors and cameras for environmental perception to create a digital twin of their surroundings through machine learning. Similarly, smart buildings employ connected Webex devices and IT/OT sensors to generate a digital twin which can be leveraged for automation and efficiency.
Integrated HVAC controllers and programmable lighting saves energy during off hours. The real-time metrics derived from the digital twin enables strategies such as space planning, hot desking, and circadian light tuning, optimizing resource usage. Employees can reserve smart desks, and meeting rooms that can auto-adjust based on their profiles and preferences. Indoor navigation apps like MazeMap enhance work experience, contributing to a futuristic and productive environment. fine-tuning HVAC based on real-time occupancy enhances user experience and work culture, fostering a quicker return on investment. This approach aligns with corporate goals of achieving net-zero emissions through efficient resource utilization.
The Road ahead and Autonomy
The demand for smart buildings is no longer a question of "if" but "when." These intelligent spaces represent the future of commercial real estate by integrating renewable energy sources and intelligent power delivery mechanisms such as fault-managed power (FMP) for optimized distribution. Smart buildings will significantly impact the employee/occupant well-being making return to office a pleasant and productive experience.
Just like how self-driving cars deemed to enable safer transportation with reduced human errors, AI-integrated digital buildings will further refine and define the future of efficient, intelligent, and sustainable real estates for a more sustainable living and net-zero practicing,making this solution a potential vehicle to sustainability in commercial real estate spaces.
Food for thought
https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/smart-building/index.html
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/nb-06-smart-building-technologies-guide.html
Cisco Smart Buildings and the Return to the Trusted Workplace - YouTube
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