Challenge
Build a cost-effective, end-to-end networking infrastructure to support unified communications, facilitate customer data connectivity, and increase security.

Solution

• Brocade FastIron SuperX 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) core
• Brocade FastIron GS Switches and FastIron Edge Switches
• Brocade Mobility solutions
• Brocade IronView Network Manager
• Avaya VoIP system fully integrated with the Brocade IP network

Benefits

• Simplified communications while reducing the network infrastructure and operating costs
• Eliminated the cost of maintaining separate voice, data, and video networks
• Simplified management of event-critical functions, including video display, sound system, and lighting
• Provided a solid foundation for future service and technology deployment

BOK Center Gains Efficiency and Saves with Brocade
Built in 2007, the Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) Center is a $196 million state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With 565,000 square feet and seating for more than 19,000, the BOK Center is the eighth best-selling arena in the U.S. The center, which is managed by SMG and owned by the City of Tulsa, is part of "Vision 2025," a project to grow economic and community infrastructure for future generations.

As a cutting-edge venue, the BOK Center needed a strong IT network to facilitate broad deployment of IP-enabled security cameras, digital signage, digital score boards, in-house broadcast TV, wireless Internet, Voice over IP (VoIP), a networked sound system, and general business network traffic/applications. Leveraging Brocade® IP networking solutions, the BOK Center was able to build an efficient network infrastructure to meet these demands while reducing operating and security costs.

Building the Right IP Network Foundation
Each visitor or performing act that visits the BOK Center has high expectations. The BOK Center IT staff must be able to facilitate flawless events, provide immediate concession and ticket sales wirelessly, and centrally control/monitor physical security through Power over Ethernet (PoE) IP-based cameras. Given these requirements, the BOK Center aimed to build an internal and customer production network that could meet point-of-sale application demands, facilitate customer data connectivity, enable Unified Communications (UC), and physically secure the venue.

The BOK Center chose to create a highly efficient Brocade-driven IP network using the Brocade FastIron® family of 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switches. It implemented a Brocade FastIron SuperX 10 GbE core, Brocade FastIron GS switches with PoE capabilities, and Brocade FastIron Edge Switches with 48-port PoE capabilities. In addition, the BOK Center leveraged Brocade Mobility and network management solutions, and integrated an Avaya VoIP system with the Brocade network.

When asked why he selected Brocade, IJ Rosenblum, Senior Manager of Technology, BOK Center, states, "Looking at Brocade's product lines, we were getting a lot more bang for the buck. Brocade was offering more than other competitors that we had worked with before—better pricing and a greater feature list."

Reducing Network Infrastructure Costs
Using the Brocade network, the BOK Center has not only simplified voice, video, and data communications, but it also has reduced the size of its network infrastructure and operating costs. All video surveillance, video for digital signage, audio, network traffic, and wireless traffic can use a single Brocade network, eliminating the cost of deploying and maintaining separate types of networks.

At the same time, the BOK Center has leveraged its powerful Brocade network infrastructure to improve physical security—managing IP security cameras powered by PoE throughout the facility. In addition to increasing visitor security, this IP surveillance support helps reduce security costs.

The BOK Center also integrated an Avaya VoIP system with the Brocade IP network as part of an effort to unify communications and further streamline costs. "The joint Brocade and Avaya solution helps us reduce costs by using the same backbone, providing PRI service, and providing port flexibility," says Rosenblum. "We can put a phone or Internet service wherever we need it, with the flip of a switch."

Simplifying Management
Using the Brocade Mobility solutions, the BOK Center can seamlessly provide wireless and wired networking on a single Virtual LAN (VLAN). "Because we have one solution for the backbone of our network and our wireless, it's rather intuitive to take a VLAN directly from the wireless to the wired side," says Rosenblum.

The BOK Center can easily manage its entire IP network - both the wired and wireless sides - from a single interface using Brocade IronView® Network Manager. This has simplified management of event-critical functions, such as video display, digital signage, sound system, and light control. "IronView Network Manager allows us to quickly and easily get into the system, access each switch, and make changes very seamlessly and very quickly," says Rosenblum.

Maximizing the Solution with Quality Support
Today, the BOK Center has a solid network foundation for deploying advanced services and technologies. As the center's network grows, it relies on Brocade to provide real-time technical support and expert guidance. "Brocade Support has been amazing," says Rosenblum. "They've made sure we're getting the proper equipment while providing great ideas to help us make good decisions along the way."