Can someone help me understand PoE and what I need?
Hello all this is my first post as I am narrowing down my new system. I will be using SecuritySpy with Dahua PoE cameras on a late 2012 iMac. I went ahead with PoE (Power over Ethernet) not really thinking too much about it, just assumed Id plug them in the ethernet ports. I have two different type of wireless router/switches in my home network. The Fios-supplied actiontec modem/router and two add-on Cisco EA3500s each with 4 gigabit ports.
I made the assumption I would plug the cameras into these gigabit ports but now I am getting the feeling that I will need addtional hardware to handle PoE (which I prefer to use regardless if my cameras have a power cord). I cant find any mention of PoE in the basic router manuals.
Do I need some sort of additional hardware to use PoE? What is teh common setup from a network HW standpoint?
Thanks all!
I made the assumption I would plug the cameras into these gigabit ports but now I am getting the feeling that I will need addtional hardware to handle PoE (which I prefer to use regardless if my cameras have a power cord). I cant find any mention of PoE in the basic router manuals.
Do I need some sort of additional hardware to use PoE? What is teh common setup from a network HW standpoint?
Thanks all!
Comments
If you do decide to use PoE injectors though, note that there exist multi-port versions of such devices, so that you don't necessarily need an injector plus power supply for each camera, which would quickly become very messy and unmanageable.
I saw the multi port injectors which look like a good way to go (was immediately concerned with individual injectors and plugs because I'll be looking at 4-6 cameras) but had a hard time finding a reasonably priced 6+ port gigabit injector. Also, it seemed that many I found on Amazon did not come with power supplies for some reason (one more thing to be concerned about getting "right"). I did pay attention to the specs, ensuring 48v delivery to all ports (up to certain watts usually 60 which should be fine I believe).
Having said all that, I assumed it would be best to use gigabit injector(s) since my router port is gigabit?
On the PoE switch issue, I thought I would run into problems with my router handing out DHCP IPs to the switch...is there an issue there?
Thanks Again
The ideal network topology will be all devices, including the router, connected into a single PoE switch. The DHCP service in the router will work perfectly well handing out IP addresses to any device connected to such a network - it doesn't care if a device is connected directly to one of its ports, or if it's connected to a switch that's connected to one of its ports.
The switch will have an IP address itself only if it's a managed switch (mentioned by DeanL above). In this case the switch will have a web interface that you can connect to (via its IP address) in order to change settings and get information about its functions. A standard unmanaged switch doesn't itself have an IP address; it simply routes ethernet data packets around the network.
Therefore, managed switches are more expensive but more configurable and flexible; unmanaged switches are simpler and cheaper, but still perfectly good for small to medium networks.
Hope this helps!
One followup on the switches...managed vs. unmanaged: would it make any difference when it comes to accessing the cameras (in my case the Dahua) and changing their ip? or accessing their settings? One thought is will I see the cameras as client devices from my router config page in either scenario?
..and on the gigabit I was only concerned about data transfer maximization i.e. having a weak link in the chain...
The trick with the Dahua cameras is to work out what the default IP address is (which should be stated in the user manual), and then use the "Cameras with a fixed address by default" procedure on our Setting up Network Cameras manual page.
Re gigabit PoE injectors: yes you're right, it's sensible to be concerned about avoiding weak links.
First I tested the PoE by plugging the the ethernet and power cables in it was quite simple and intuitive for someone who has never dealt with it. I noticed the IR lights blink so I felt confident the camera had power and there is also a status indicator on this PoE Injector that, as the instructions said, turned solid green once it was delivering 48c power to a device.
The camera came with a basic manual that someone not familiar with networks at all would be terrified of. There was also a CD that apparently has other instructions and a scan tool to locate the camera.
Turns out I never needed the CD. After connecting, I took a chance and dialed up my router at its default 10.213.1.90. In the client table I immediately noticed an unfamiliar device (no name just a dot) with the .111 ip. I hit that in the browser and viola! It was the camera. I did the web plugin download as instructed and I was rolling perfectly on both Safari and Chrome.
I was amazed at how easy it was. I am now going to download security spy and get that hooked in.
Thanks,
Mike