AE Services to Build Engineering Networking Infrastructure

Department of Veterans Affairs

VISN 17, Dallas VA Medical Center

Dallas, TX

Romanyk Consulting Corp. (RCC) is currently providing A/E services to develop construction drawings and specifications for a new integrated engineering network system for all FMS and security systems. This system is a separate network from their OIT network. RCC implemented an Integrated Building Management System (IBMS), using a client-server architecture based around a scalable PC network, and applied industry-standard operating systems, networks, and protocols. The IBMS Infrastructure supports up to 100 simultaneous operator workstation connections using a TCP/IP Local Area Network (LAN). OCMI provided third-party cost estimating on the project.

Telecommunications Design - The design includes new network switches, racks, UPS, and zone power distribution in their TR rooms. This IBMS network utilize VA's fiber backbones from the EHRM project. New Cat 6A cables are provided for all FMS equipment, building automation system panels, and all security systems. The major equipment and monitoring locations include main computer room, energy center, and police center. The team conducted user group meetings to gather their need requirements on monitoring, alarm, operational, work order, and workflow.

Network Systems - The IBMS incorporated technologies, standards, and capabilities to deliver intelligent functions, including:

• Automatic Hot Backups. The IMBS is configured with a hot backup server. This enables the IBMS to have a high-availability architecture with no single, point-of-failure. Should any system fail, the IBMS automatically reboots after non-fatal errors.

• Supports fully duplicated communications and seamless ethernet switching, fully distributed server system, and a mobile app.