Wise Upgrade for IP Surveillance Networks

If you are looking for a POE camera, you need to research the camera before you actually purchase it. There are many IP surveillance network designers that have turned to POE technology. Using POE cameras and switches is going to eliminate the need for separate power and data cables. This is going to enable integrators to use more cameras, making sure there is a more comprehensive solution for customers.

Basics

POE cameras can be powered using the same LAN cable. A POE switch is a traditional Ethernet switch with the additional capability of injecting POE power. A POE switch commonly has 4, 8, 16, 24 or 48 ports which are going to provide power and data to the IP camera on each port. POE switches fall into three categories:

• Unmanaged
• Smart
• Managed

Unmanaged

Unmanaged switches are going to provide basic connectivity between networked devices at a low cost. They are easy to use but only for simple connectivity.

Smart

Smart switches have graphical user interface with easy-to-understand controls. They are managed via a web browser. They are ideal for people who have no advanced network training.

Managed

Managed switches have a GUI and a more technical command line interface. Fully managed switches have a full suite of capabilities that are often beyond the needs of a basic IP surveillance network.

Budget

Many network designers use unmanaged POE switches because they are simple and the low cost that is involved. A POE switch can net a big value. The cost increase is minimal.

Easier Administration

Smart POE switches are easy to use, have a browser-based user interface and have straightforward communication. 

Remote Reboots and Power Control

Smart switches allow you to remotely turn on and off the POE to each camera via the GUI. The POE camera can be manually controlled from anywhere. Some smart POE switches allow you to set a time window that determines when each camera is powered on and off. 

Real-Time Power Statistics and Saving Features

A smart POE switch can provide power consumption statistics in real time:

• Power use per port
• Overall system power

Smart POE switches support power-saving features that are not found in unmanaged PoE switches. When reducing signal power consumption, less heat is going to be produced, resulting in extended product life and lower operating costs.

Smarter Management

As networks grow and additional cameras are added, a POE switch will be asked to supply more power. A smart POE switch allows you to manage increased power demands in a much more controlled manner.

Better Cable Diagnostics

With the use of smart POE switches, you are able to examine the quality of the copper cables connected to each switch port. 

Automatic Loop Detection

Smart POE switches also feature a loop detection function. If a loop is detected, the switch automatically shuts down the port and will alert you. Without such protection, undetected loops can wreak major havoc and cause serious traffic flow disruptions.

The Bottom Line

Unmanaged POE switches are low-cost, easy-to-use and good for simple connectivity. There are quit a few benefits gained by upgrading to smart or managed POE switches.

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Guide to GPS Trackers

If you are looking for a GPS tracker, you are not alone. These devices have become very popular. Before purchasing one of the handy devices, it is important to do some research on them. The following article will give you basis about what exactly the trackers are and what to look for before purchasing one of them.

What is it? 

GPS tracking uses the same satellite technology that GPS navigation does. A GPS tracker is used to accurately and regularly track a person, vehicle or wherever you have placed one of the devices at. For example, you may want to place one of the devices on your child’s backpack. The devices are good for tracking:

·         People

·         Vehicles

·         Assets

You can easily and accurately track where someone goes in a car. You can also program the GPS tracker to notify you when they stop off somewhere that you do not approve of.  

Types

There are two types of GPS trackers: 

·         Historical Loggers:  can be placed in a vehicle or in a backpack and will record the tracking data internally. The device stores the tracking information inside the unit. You need to literally retrieve the device from a car or wherever you place it and connect it to a computer in order to download all the tracking information. Once you purchase the device, there are no additional monthly fees. The disadvantage of this type of GPS tracker is that you need to physically get the device every time you want to know where it has been. 

·         Real-Time Trackers: can actually track a location in real-time. You can view and monitor where the device has been in real-time on any computer or smart phone.You need to simply login to the tracker website with your username and password and you will be able to see where the tracker is and where it has been. The GPS tracker can even be programmed to send you a text message whenever the device is in motion.

Extras

There can be additional fees with real time trackers. For example you may have to pay onetime activation fee and monthly fees for the use of GPS tracker. You usually are not going to have longterm contracts and the monthly fees are going to be based on the frequency you would like the device to track. For example, you can have the device track every 5 seconds to every 15 minutes. The standard battery life is usually roughly 3 to 5 days with normal use but there are extended battery packs that will power the units for up to 30 days.Asset tracking, baby stroller tracking and elderly tracking are very popular as of recent years. The GPS trackers are also great safety devices for hiking and climbing expeditions. Most of the devices are generally very small, many times they are as small as a 9 volt battery that you would use in the smoke detector that you have inside your home.

POE Camera Explained for Dummies

If you are looking for a POE camera, there are many different cameras that you are going to be able to choose from. Before purchasing one of these types of cameras, it is very important that you understand exactly what it is and make sure that it is going to suit the needs want it to do.

Introduction 

A POE camera stands for a power over Ethernet camera. POE is a technology that lets network cables carry electrical power. When you have a security camera is POE-enabled, only the network connection needs to be made, as it will receive its electrical power from this cable as well.Power over Ethernet is going to simply reduce the number of cables required in order to connect a POE camera.

Why a POE Camera?

A Power over Ethernet is going to give you many advantages to an installation:

·         Time and cost savings - network cables do not require an electrician to fit them and can be located wherever you want

·         Flexibility - access points can be located anywhere needed most and be moved around easily when needed

·         Safety - designed to protect network equipment from overload, underpowering or incorrect installation

·         Reliability - can be backed-up by an uninterruptible power supply or easily controlled in order to disable or reset devices

·         Scalability - installation and distribution of network connections is simple and effective

Devices 

A POE camera is now ubiquitous on networked surveillance cameras where it is able to have fast deployment and can easily be repositioned. Wifi and bluetooth APs and RFID readers are commonly POE-compatible which is what allowsthem to be used in a remote location away from AC outlets and relocated if needed following site surveys.

Upgrading 

Adding POE to your network is easy. There are two routes that you can choose. A POE switch is a network switch that has power over Ethernet injection built right in.  You just need to connect other network devices to the switch as normal and the switch will detect whether they are POE-compatible and enable power automatically. The switches are available to suit all applications.

POE Switch

A POE injector is used to add POE capability to regular non-POE network links.  They can be used to upgrade existing LAN installations to POE and they can also provide a versatile solution where fewer POE ports are required.  Upgrading a network connection to POE is as simple.

POE Midspan

It is also possible to upgrade IP cameras to POE by using a POE splitter.  The POE splitter is patched to the camera's network connection and taps off the POE power.

Conclusion

There are many different POE cameras that you are going to be able to find on the market today. Before purchasing your next one of these types of security cameras, it is important to research it in full in order to make sure it is going work for you and the place that you want to have it installed at.

Everything You Need to Know about IP Cameras

IP cameras have become very popular in today’s world, especially with the rise of technology. You want to keep your home and loved ones safe and these cameras will help you monitor things in your home for you.  With the ease of these cameras, you can be checking on the security of your home while you are away and know what is going on before you get home. There are a wide variety of IP camera that can be found at Amcrest.

What Exactly the IP Technology Consists of?

IP cameras have communications protocols that are used to transmit digital data network packets over a computer network and Internet.

How Does an IP Camera Actually Work?

You plug these cameras directly into your network router, which in turn will transmit your information through your network or Internet. You must have a high speed internet connection, router, Ethernet cable and IP address.

Indoor and Outdoor IP Cameras

There are IP cameras that can be used indoors and/or outdoors. There are many of the cameras that come with a weatherproof enclosure. If you live in a high-crime area, you are going to want to get a vandal-proof network IP camera. Make sure to look at all the security camera specifications to get the one you need.

Form Factor Required

The design of IP camera you choose should support your specific security needs. You can choose from cameras that are dome cameras, pan/tilt/zoom cameras, compact cameras, weatherproof cameras, bullet-proof cameras and more.

How Much Detail Do You Want to See?

When deciding upon an IP camera, think about how much detail you actually want to see. Do you need to see faces and license plate numbers?

• Resolution: The resolution will depend upon what you will be able to see. The higher the resolution, the better you will be able to see.
• Lens: The lens affects resolution and determines the field of view you will see.

Low Light Conditions

If you want image quality, it is important to choose an IP camera that supports low light environments.

• True day/night: A camera with true day/night functions will get clear, crisp images in low light conditions.
• Wide dynamic range: An camera with a wide dynamic range will produce a clear image in diverse lighting environments.

Do You Have Enough Network Bandwidth?

IP cameras need network bandwidth to transmit and store videos. The more cameras you have, the greater your bandwidth requirements will be. If you have a high-resolution camera, they are also going to require more bandwidth.

Power 

Many IP cameras have the PoE feature. A POE camera will let you to power your IP camera through your network cable. If do not have a POE camera, you will need to use a separate power cord to power your security camera. A POE camera is very popular choice.

Device Compatibility

You need to make sure you have a software package that is going to work with your IP camera. Before purchasing your IP camera, make sure the camera is one of the compatible devices for the software package.

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