Smart Security Upgrade of Zhili Governor's Office: AINOPOL All-Optical Networking Safeguards the Centennial Historic Site

As the supreme administrative authority of Zhili Province in the Qing Dynasty, the Zhili Governor's Office stands as China's best-preserved provincial government complex from that era. It undertakes multiple missions including cultural relics protection, historical exhibition and cultural inheritance. With a year-on-year rise in visitor numbers and growing security requirements, the traditional security system suffers from unstable data transmission, blind monitoring areas and delayed device response. A new upgrade solution that balances heritage preservation and intelligent security is therefore urgently needed.

Centered on all-optical transmission, supported by smart devices and based on strict safety compliance, this upgrade adopts the all-optical networking architecture developed by AINOPOL, together with high-definition smart cameras, intelligent access control and other facilities. The solution prevents damage to the ancient building structure, while enabling the security system to deliver high-definition monitoring, intelligent operation and full traceability. The complete solution, including selected equipment and relevant pricing, is detailed below.

Dual Challenges: Balancing Heritage Protection and Complex Architectural Layout

Deploying wireless networks in ancient buildings is far more than routine cabling work; it poses dual challenges for cultural relics protection and technical implementation.

Strict rules for protective installation

As a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level, no drilling or punching is allowed during construction. The walls, beams and columns must remain intact, and the historic style and cultural value of the ancient compound's blue bricks and grey tiles shall not be impaired in any way.

Complicated architectural layout

The complex features a five-courtyard central axis, plus multiple yards on the east and west sides. Thick walls and enclosed spaces make it difficult for conventional wireless solutions to penetrate signals and achieve full coverage, resulting in numerous dead zones.

Requirements for concealment and network performance

All network equipment must be installed discreetly to preserve the historical ambiance. Meanwhile, the network needs to support simultaneous access of hundreds of devices during peak tourist hours. In addition, payment systems at cultural and creative stores demand extremely high network stability.

Implementation of the All-Optical Solution: Discreet Networking with Reliable Infrastructure

After multiple on-site surveys and repeated solution optimization, the AINOPOL team finally adopted the PON (Passive Optical Network) architecture. We tailored an all-optical network solution focused on concealment, aesthetics and practicality, which fits perfectly with the ancient government compound.

Featuring long transmission distance, high bandwidth and strong anti-interference capability, PON is well-suited for ancient building complexes characterized by wide layout, thick walls and strict cabling restrictions.

Fiber composite cable technology is also applied in this project. Signals are transmitted from the equipment room, with centralized power supply via active optical splitters, and delivered to optical AP terminals in each courtyard through optical-electrical composite cables. Serving as the central nervous system, the fiber backbone network delivers lossless gigabit network signals to every corner of the site.

For equipment deployment, ceiling APs are innovatively wall-mounted under the eaves of each courtyard. This smart layout ensures invisible installation while making full use of the building structure. A total of 16 wireless access points are scientifically deployed across key areas of the Governor's Office. Comprehensive wireless coverage is achieved throughout all visitor zones, from the main gate and ceremonial gate courtyard, the main hall and second hall courtyards, to the inner official residence and rear quarters.

All devices are equipped with off-white casings matching the architectural tone, and installed under eaves away from direct visitor sightlines. This design guarantees stable signal coverage while fully preserving the original historical appearance of the heritage buildings.

Core Equipment & Pricing for the Zhili Governor's Office Project

The overall solution adopts high-performance devices with balanced stability, concealment and cost-effectiveness. Details of key models, functions and prices are listed below:

Converged Router (ZH-AC500(Ultra))

Serving as the core network gateway of the project, it isolates internal and external network data and delivers robust security protection. It safeguards the transmission of sensitive data including cultural relic monitoring records and visitor information. Unit price: RMB 26,668.

Core Switch (ZH-CS5528X-SI)

It interconnects regional subsystems such as security monitoring, environmental monitoring and audio guide modules to ensure efficient data switching. Unit price: RMB 7,920.

Optical Access OLT (ZH-4GS(Ultra))

Adopting optical fiber transmission technology, it provides network coverage for all buildings within the compound. It resolves the limitations of traditional network cables, namely short transmission range and signal attenuation. Unit price: RMB 24,445.

Ceiling-mounted AP (ZH-AP30006S-M)

A total of 16 units are deployed to deliver full Wi-Fi coverage across the site. The devices support free Wi-Fi access and AR navigation for visitors. Unit price: RMB 2,194; total investment for all APs: RMB 35,104.

Total Project Cost: RMB 94,134

This project adopts a full PON all-optical architecture. Without causing any damage to the ancient buildings, 16 ceiling-mounted APs are discreetly installed under eaves. Together with core switches, OLT, firewall and access switches, the system delivers high-quality wireless coverage throughout the entire Zhili Governor's Office.

Now visitors can instantly share their travel experiences near the Gongshengming Memorial Archway. When they move to the Main Hall Courtyard and make video calls to share historic scenes with their families, the video remains clear and fluid. Network connections switch seamlessly along the entire visiting route without interruption. Electronic payment and inventory management systems in cultural and creative stores run stably and efficiently. The customized Portal authentication page also acts as a new interactive platform: while accessing Wi-Fi conveniently, visitors can browse product recommendations and historical stories, which effectively boosts consumption willingness.

Upon project completion, a joint acceptance inspection was conducted by cultural relic preservation experts and network technology specialists. They confirmed that the solution maintains excellent network performance while fully respecting and protecting the historical value of the heritage buildings, fully meeting the design goals of concealment, aesthetics and practicality.

All network management devices support centralized cloud management via the EAAS platform. Technical staff can diagnose and troubleshoot faults remotely, greatly improving maintenance efficiency and cutting long-term operational costs. Network signals travel silently among the ancient beams and columns, creating a perfect harmony between modern technology and traditional history. Every corner of the Zhili Governor's Office can now share its profound stories with the world online.