mdw – Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien

HIGH-TECH VARIETY FOR ALL SENSES

Next to the highest professional expertise, mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna provides students with an exceptional structural and technical infrastructure, ensuring the best possible framework conditions for their studies.

Since the winter semester 2020, acoustic and atmospheric works of art, as well as technical pioneer projects, have captivated audiences in the Future Art Lab – an impressive new facility with the highest technology density on the entire campus. Spanning 3,400 m², this state-of-the-art construction includes a sound theater, teaching studios, an arthouse cinema, a recording hall, and a 100-seat concert hall, alongside a modern network approach.

TRIAD: SOFTWARE DEFINED NETWORK

With the goal of simplifying network control using a Software Defined Network (SDN), everything in the audio and video areas of the Future Art Lab operates in a highly technical and network-based manner. “Thanks to SDN by Cisco, we obtained functionalities that we could not – or only with great difficulties – implement before,” explains Hermann Rothe, Director of IT communication systems at mdw. This transition from a switchport-based configuration to a user- or endpoint-based allocation has opened up new possibilities.

“Now, all audio channels of all devices are available to each device in the network. For us, this unlocks usage possibilities that could only have been realized with much effort using conventional analog cabling.” Looking ahead, mdw plans to implement this central, intelligent administration and control system across its entire university network. By the end of this year, all university locations will be connected.

CONTROL CONDUCTOR

In an SDN, data traffic is centrally controlled without needing direct adjustments to individual network switches. The central controller directs the switches to provide network services independent of the specific connections between servers and devices, wherever required.

“A flexible and often spontaneous assembly of audio components is necessary for studio operations and recordings,” says Rothe. “Before the implementation, we faced significant demands for network connections, which were time-consuming to manage. Today, all connections are automated. For example, anyone wanting to make a recording can simply take their stage box and establish a secure connection to the correct control room.”

Rothe highlights further benefits in resource efficiency: “The effort required for network administration has reduced considerably. Many tasks would be impossible without this automation – especially in regular studio operations.”

At a renowned music and art university, quality is paramount. “Disruptions or glitches during recordings cost time and may even be irrecoverable. With intelligent administration, we have it under control,” emphasizes Rothe.

SECURE IN ALL PITCHES

Another key reason for adopting Software Defined Access (SDA) was the high-security requirements for fine-grained authorization controls. “With SDA, users can freely choose a connection, and configuration occurs solely based on their allocated policies. This ensures all network ports are protected from unauthorized access,” explains Rothe.

The network’s universal security concept is further enhanced by two-factor authentication (Cisco Duo) for application access and Cisco Endpoint Security on end devices.

DATA CENTER COMPOSITION

Applications must be integrated into the business environment quickly, flexibly, and securely. Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) offers higher security and comprehensive transparency and visibility.

Rothe concludes optimistically, “ACI provides immense added value in the areas of automation and microsegmentation. Applying the SD approach to the data center was, in the end, a logical step forward.”