PoE Security Camera System: Benefits and Applications
From simple video surveillance to intelligent PoE security camera systems capable of identifying and analyzing abnormal events, the ever-developing CCTV technology has contributed to the innovation of related applications.
With the popularization of security camera systems and falling prices of surveillance cameras, more and more industries and sectors are adopting IP surveillance systems. Among these, the PoE security camera system is an optimal option for users.
PoE monitoring system
The adoption of Internet Protocol cameras (IP cameras) has enabled the migration to complete IP video systems. IP cameras can be connected directly to the IP network as needed. The image below shows a unified IP network with cameras.
According to statistics, of the approximately 15 million surveillance cameras installed in the United States today, almost 10% are now IP-based. Indeed, more and more organizations are now migrating to complete network-based digital systems. To enjoy the superior and automated security benefits that this type of surveillance system brings, the PoE camera system, which combines IP cameras with PoE technology, becomes a better choice due to its remarkable advantages.
Benefits of PoE Security Camera Systems
A PoE security camera system indeed dominates in almost every aspect compared to traditional systems. This section explores the advantages of this PoE security camera system which adopts IP cameras in combination with PoE switches.
High-definition images and long-term storage
The images recorded by traditional analog surveillance cameras are of low resolution, around half a megapixel (MP), which is not enough for investigation and analysis. On the other hand, the high-definition digital images produced by IP cameras are sharper with typical resolutions ranging from 1MP to 5MP. Additionally, digital videos can be stored for a long time on a variety of media such as PC hard drives and network-attached storage (NAS). Even if large volumes of data are stored, videos can be quickly retrieved from the database.
Daily recordings and notifications
The main task of surveillance cameras is to monitor the various sensitive areas, in order to detect events involving intrusion, theft or any criminal activity. PoE security camera systems can report these events and send notifications directly to the user’s smartphone, along with recorded footage. Some camera systems even allow direct connection to local law enforcement.
Generalized Access Distribution
Distance is not an issue in a PoE surveillance system, as video from IP cameras can be monitored from remote locations, even outside the company, using the Internet. Through integration with the existing Ethernet IP network, the operation of surveillance cameras can be incorporated into an organization’s IT environment. Thus, multiple applications will be converged on a unified network. The image below shows a unified surveillance IP network from a remote site.
Secure connectivity
In a PoE IP video system, a series of measures are taken to prevent access by unauthorized and malicious users. PoE security cameras can provide different levels of password-protected access: certain authorized users may only have access to images from certain cameras; others may have operator-level access; some may have access to all PoE network camera settings. In addition to multi-level password protection, PoE security camera systems that operate over IP networks may offer AES encryption and IP address to allow or deny access rights to certain IP addresses, and use mechanisms such as IEEE 802.1X to strictly control network access.
Convenient installation
With PoE switches, power, and data can be delivered to cameras over the same Ethernet cable, without additional power cables. A single unshielded twisted pair (UTP) is connected to the PoE switch, which is a cost-effective and fast solution. For new installations, existing cabling can be used, and subsequent upgrades or expansions of the security camera system can also be simplified through the use of existing network infrastructure.
Flexible deployment
Unlike analog systems that require coaxial, fiber, or UTP cabling, IP security cameras can be deployed anywhere Ethernet cabling or a wireless access point is available, allowing deployment to be extended to exterior areas. Adding, moving, or removing cameras without disabling other cameras or equipment helps prevent interrupted recordings.
Intelligent and centralized management
Adopting a PoE surveillance system over IP networks helps protect the integrity and availability of recorded surveillance video and images, prevent data loss, safeguard critical data, and enable quick recovery breakdowns. All devices, including IP cameras, PoE switches, wireless access points (APs), and storage devices, can be examined if problems are detected. For example, if an IP camera goes offline, the PoE security system can immediately alert administrators, who can then install another camera to cover that area. Additionally, if a storage unit is unavailable, backup storage can automatically take over to prevent the loss of recorded data.
PoE Security Camera Solutions
Security camera systems are essential for all sectors of society: they protect people and property and reduce the risk of criminal activity. These PoE security camera solutions are adopted in many sectors such as factories, shopping malls, and any business requiring surveillance cameras. In addition to these sectors, PoE security camera systems are also used in public places, including residential compounds, educational institutions, public libraries, hotels, etc. Powerful surveillance systems are also important for neighborhood monitoring and urban management. The following section examines CCTV applications from multiple angles.
The image below shows applications where a 48-port Gigabit PoE switch works with PoE cameras.
daily output
The manufacturing industry cannot survive without factory management. High-resolution PoE surveillance cameras are often adopted in factories and warehouses, not only to prevent the theft of valuable equipment and goods but also to prevent some potential accidents.
For some high-tech companies, installing PoE cameras in offices helps create a converged IT surveillance system. If you plan to use network switches or add more, you can connect IP cameras directly to existing or new PoE switches via Ethernet cables and, at the same time, install video storage and management servers. In general, users tend to use VLANs to separate ports for camera connections and establish path flexibility to avoid communication interruptions. Here is an example diagram for the application scenario in an office building:
Everyday life
PoE security camera systems are also ubiquitous in our daily lives. They are used in large shopping malls for the identification of suspicious shoplifters and in multi-location parking areas for the detection of suspicious events. Many schools are also deploying surveillance networks by adopting PoE IP cameras for monitoring public areas inside the campus to ensure student safety.
IP security cameras are already an indispensable part of hospitals – normally installed in entrances, exits, elevator doors, hallways, etc. without any blind spot for the safety of patients and medical staff. In the security control center, the surveillance system receives video feeds from each camera and allows security guards to monitor the entire hospital in real-time. There are even security cameras for residences. The following diagram provides a visual explanation:
Neighborhood watch and urban management
On the one hand, IP surveillance technology has been adopted for monitoring physical environments. Outdoor security cameras are very necessary and widely used. For example, through the installation of PoE IP cameras, local and government authorities can regularly monitor and assess river levels, to provide early warnings of floods or other disasters.
On the other hand, PoE security camera solutions help keep the city safe and organized. To take the example of the public transport surveillance system, the IP cameras are connected to the network infrastructure that already exists along the tracks. IP surveillance cameras are also placed in all stations, which helps to ensure the safety of passengers. Alarms can be triggered when passengers are observed entering prohibited areas. These cameras also prevent acts of vandalism and theft. Especially for some unmanned stations, these PoE IP cameras with remote monitoring functions enable real-time monitoring.
In these cases, industrial PoE switches are widely used. Industrial PoE switches perform the same functions as PoE switches, i.e. provide PoE power and data to IP surveillance systems, but perform better in harsh environments. If you want to know more about industrial PoE switches, you can refer to the article: All you need to know about industrial PoE switches.
Additional Considerations
There are certain technical requirements to consider before deploying a PoE security camera system or upgrading from an existing analog system to a high-performance IP surveillance system. Bandwidth, latency, network characteristics, and capacity, wired or wireless, hard drive storage capacity and application software are all factors to consider. Designing, deploying, securing, and optimizing a network for PoE IP surveillance is also a matter worth considering. Make sure you have a detailed and complete plan for your future PoE security camera system.
