Monday, January 12, 2009

How to Set Up an IP-Based Camera Surveillance System

Install reasonably priced cameras over ubiquitous networks
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Analog vs. IP-Based

Let's take a quick look at the differences between old-school analog systems and the new wave of IP-based network systems.

Analog closed-circuit recording systems (CCTV) are limited, because they are only as smart as the person monitoring the system. With IP networks you have access to a wide-range of automated software settings and alert systems that make security management more efficient and intelligent and less error prone and less costly.

On the other hand, IP camera systems handle motion detection, event triggers, and alert automation (via e-mail, pager or phone call), and have a multitude of options for changing frame rates, resolution and timed record cycles. Analog camera systems can't do this without digital conversion.

This particular D-Link IP surveillance application has room for 16 cameras, as shown here:


The next screens you'll see offer motion-detection and monitoring scheduling. After that, you can manage alert, recording, and snapshot settings.

All in all, this particular program is highly flexible and can accommodate virtually any scenario and alert response. Best of all, it comes free with the more high-end D-Link cameras.

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

PoE switches and adapters are useful for times when local power outlets are not available. Power is drawn from the power source near the switch and then routed over ethernet cables. This is possible because the CAT5 Ethernet spec enables both data and power.

As always, pricing depends up the various equipment involved on a site, along with such network variables as the number of ports, switch capabilities, vendors deployed, etc. Make sure all of these fit within yours and your customer's budget.

PoE (short for Power over Ethernet) is basically a power extension via ethernet cable. It requires a PoE switch or PoE adapters. PoE switches will send power and data to either:

  • A PoE enabled device that can take power and data from a single ethernet cable and the attached PoE switch; or
  • A PoE terminal adapter that splits the power out of the ethernet cable at the end of the line and connects to a standard power input on the networked device (in this case a camera).

The second scenario is shown in the next photo. The PoE router is on the far left, the terminal adapter is in the middle, and the camera is connected on the far right with a power bridge cord and a second Ethernet cable. With a PoE enabled camera or device, you wouldn't need the terminal adapter.


If you plan on using a non-PoE switch or router—because you don't have power outlets near the location you'd like to place the camera—the following set-up will apply:

  1. Attach an Ethernet cable to your router, as shown here:
Attach the PoE base unit adapter to the other end of the ethernet cable like so:

Plug in the base unit's power cable:

The opposite side of the base unit takes an Ethernet cable that now carries both power and data. It's the cable in the middle with the pen on it here:
That middle Ethernet cable with the pen on it could be really long and go anywhere in an office or home. The camera has power and Ethernet connectivity at the very end of the line:

And here it is, ready for use:

Essentially, here's what's going on: The base unit takes power from the wall and data from an Ethernet cable (either a standard router or a computer with extra Ethernet ports). Then the router sends power through one Ethernet cable to the base unit. The base unit places power and data into one Ethernet line. Then the terminal adapter pulls the power off the Ethernet wire and sends it via a little bridge cable to the power connector on the camera device along with the final Ethernet data link. By using the PoE set-up, you deliver power to a location that has no local power outlet via Ethernet cabling.

The companies that make these cameras also carry harsh weather housings, blowers and heaters for outdoor cams. D-Link's accessories can be found here.

In the near-term, we can all expect to see cameras everywhere there's an IP connection. System builders should seriously consider mining this huge new market—as ease-of-installation, reasonably-priced equipment, and the ability to offer customers high-degrees of quality—can mean a healthy addition to your bottom line.


Article Source: http://www.crn.com/white-box/192202279 ;jsessionid= 2FY0FYGNOXIGQS NDLPSKHSCJUNN2JVN?pgno=3

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