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How to Choose the Right PoE Switch for Your IP Camera Systems?

When it comes to choosing PoE switches, you need to know that they come in many different forms. And we want to help you make sure you’re selecting the right one that’ll match your needs. IP Camera systems are an integral part of twenty-first century security, and the growing number of IP cameras has made it necessary to use specialized network hardware. A PoE switch provides power through a network cable such as Cat5e, or Cat6. A single cable can carry both power and data to each IP cameras at the edge.

PoE switches are one such device that is used in IP Camera systems to interconnect them at different locations. The market is filled with several choices of PoE switches in a variety of different configurations. So, when you’re searching for a PoE switch for your particular application, there are important considerations to be made. What factors go into selecting the right PoE switch for your situation? This article outlines some questions you should consider when thinking about how you choose the best PoE Switch for IP camera systems.

6 Factors You Should Consider When Choosing PoE Switches for IP Cameras Systems

PoE switches come in a variety of different sizes, features, and functions. When it comes to matching them up with your IP cameras, you have a lot of options to choose from. That doesn’t mean they’re all the same though! Even some similar PoE switches might not work well with specific cameras, so it’s important that you’ve done your research beforehand and have settled on the perfect one for you. Below are 6 essential factors which we think will help you decide which PoE switch is right for your system.

PoE Standard:

Many network applications require advanced PoE power capabilities. For instance, Pans, Tilt and Zoom (PTZ) types of IP cameras need much more power because of the internal engine connected to them. However, the total PoE capability of a switch depends on the underlying standard for Power over Ethernet. Although it is common to use the term PoE for the latest version, these are the best PoE switches that support standards such as 802.3af and others. There are three IEEE standards as the following:

IEEE 802.3af Standard: The 802.3af is a standard that provides a way to power devices via the network cable itself. It can supply up to 15.4W. However, only 12.95W is supplied to the camera given the power loss in the cables which is ideal for most IP cameras from industry-leading brands. If you are working with PoE switches and PoE injectors, it’s best to consult the documentation for your specific model to ensure compatibility.

IEEE 802.3at Standard: The 802.3at is another standard developed by the IEEE to provide power through your network’s Ethernet cable, up to 25. 5W. This makes it perfect for PoE Switches (Power over Ethernet Switches), which can supply power directly to PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) Cameras, so you don’t have to run a bunch of wires throughout your office whenever a camera is required, especially in situations where you require multiple cameras and want to avoid the visual clutter of all those extra wires everywhere!

IEEE 802.3bt Standard: This is the latest PoE standard developed by IEEE. The PoE 802.3bt (aka PoE++) employs all four twisted pair to send the power while the previous version only use half of the twisted pair. The PoE++ can achieve 90W PoE output from PoE switch or PoE injector, and the remaining power still can maintain up to 71W at the edge. It is satisfied the power hungry application such as WiFi 6 access point, PTZ camera with heater built-in as well as other applications.

Number of Ports:

If you want to buy a PoE switch for your business or home, it’s important to pay attention to the number of ports. The number of ports can help to inform you of the amount of equipment that it would be able to power. For instance, PoE switches with 8 ports, 16 ports, 24 ports, or 48 ports would be able to power 8, 16, 24, or 48 security cameras, respectively.

Besides, it is also important to understand the difference between the IEEE 802.3af standard and the IEEE 802.3at standard, IEEE802.bt standard we mentioned above when deciding on how many devices you can power from your PoE switches.

Full Wire Speed and Non-blocking:

A non-blocking Ethernet switch has a wire speed capacity, which means there are no delays in the transmission process across all ports and a complete transfer takes place for each packet. For instance, in a 16 port Gigabit Ethernet switch, which offers 2 Gbps full duplex capacity, the ports would handle 16 Gbps in total. However, in a surveillance network, Non-blocking switch is not necessary unless it is the core switch which will aggregate the video source from edge switches. Even it is a 4K IP cameras which will need about 10Mbps bandwidth. The H.265 compression has decrease the data rate sharply. The 16-channel IP camera will consumes less than 200Mbps bandwidth when H.265 compression is enabled.

PoE Switch Power Budget:

Meanwhile, the factor to take into consideration about a PoE switch is that the higher the power supply or wattage, the more IP cameras you’ll be able to power with your PoE switch. For example, if you’re using PTZ cameras then you may want to ensure there are enough watts for your devices because they generally require more power than fixed IP Cameras.

When purchasing a PoE switch for IP cameras, be sure to purchase a high-power PoE switch for extended video or reduce the overall number of PTZ IP cameras connected to one PoE switch so as not to overload the power supply and potentially trip a circuit breaker.

Choosing Gigabit PoE Switch or Not:

As mentioned earlier, a PoE switch not only powers your IP cameras but also handles network data traffic. A 10/100 Mbps switch may be fine enough for powering 8 PoE IP cameras, but for large IP camera like 16 IP cameras system. You might need to the Gigabit PoE switch or at least the uplink port support Gigabit speed. The PoE ports doesn’t have to be Gigabit, because most of the IP cameras only comes with 100Mbps. However, the uplink ports which will be linked to network video recorder aggregate video sources from the all IP cameras. The network data traffic could be larger than 100Mbps.

Managed and Unmanaged PoE Switch:

For your IP camera systems, you can choose between managed and unmanaged switches. Do you go with an ‘unmanaged’ or a ‘managed’ switch? The choice depends on the way that you want to control and monitor your network. If you’re dealing with something simple like plug-in devices, then an unmanaged switch is right for you. However, if (or when) the project gets more serious, it’s best to use a managed switch because of its smart features, which will allow you to configure VLANs, Multicast groups, and more with ease using the web interface!

Unmanaged PoE switches are simpler and cheaper than Managed PoE switches due to the lack of monitoring and management. They require more time for their set up, which renders them less flexible, but they have other benefits as well. However, it’s important to check your applications’ requirements when buying them because not all systems need managed switches, and unmanaged options might have worked well enough for some applications.

Conclusion

PoE switches are great for wiring up your IP camera systems. They can save a lot of running costs and allow for longer runs of devices that use power over Ethernet, such as your cameras. PoE switches are integral to any IP security system. Whether you’re just getting started or adding on to an existing setup, you need a nice reliable PoE switch, otherwise you’re going to have to get more power extenders. It is important to choose the right PoE switch for your system size and the kind of security you want. One more thing to remind, the PoE switch can only reach 100 meters (328ft) before the data start dropping. You can add the PoE extender to extend the PoE network byond 100 meters.

PoE Switch vs PoE Injector – How to pick?

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that transmits both electric power and data over a single Ethernet cable. It eliminates the power source at the edge. With PoE, it not only saved the cost but also the time to deploy the network system.

The PoE devices usually installed in networks are including PoE Switch, PoE Injector, PoE NVRs, PoE IP cameras, PoE access points, etc. PoE Injectors and switches each have their own role to play in the network and can be used individually for different situations.

Let’s try to understand what each one does, as well as their pros and cons, and how to choose which one to use for your network.

PoE Switch vs PoE Injector: What Are They?

PoE Switch:

PoE switches are a type of network switch that applies Power over Ethernet technology. By using a PoE switch, you can connect your IP devices by using a single Ethernet cable to receive both power and data. There are many different kinds of PoE switches on the market.

Commonly seen are 4-port, 8-port, 16-port, and 24-port PoE switches based on the number of ports. You can also find PoE switches that have varying levels of control, such as unmanaged PoE switches and managed PoE switches.

PoE Injector:

A power injector is a device that acts as a middleman between your router, switch, or hub and the PD. An active PoE injector accepts data from a non-PoE switch and transfers it by injecting power into it. A passive PoE injector, on the other hand, also injects the power to an Ethernet cable, but it removes the power handshaking. There is a significant difference between the active PoE injector and the passive PoE injector. You will need to know what you are dealing with when you work with a passive PoE injector, otherwise, it may melt your edge devices.

With a PoE injector, you can turn non-PoE switch or router to PoE compatible. PoE Injectors are a more affordable solution than replacing your entire network infrastructure.

PoE Switch vs PoE Injector: Pros & Cons

PoE Switch and PoE Injector devices have different features and capabilities. It is important to consider your network needs when making a final choice, as it will determine which PoE device will work best for your needs. We’ve outlined the features and differences of each device below and we hope it will help you make the right decision.

While many PoE injectors are quick and easy to install, switches are built for long-term use. In fact, switches are more scalable than PoE injectors but more complex

On the other hand, a PoE injector requires low installation costs since it’s just one device, while a PoE switch can range in price depending on what you want and need. For example, a switch may end up being cheaper in the long run if you need to expand your network down the line.

PoE switches and injectors offer different features. PoE switches require a little modification to your existing network. PoE injectors don’t change your network much, and they are easy to mount anywhere.

If you need to power up a single device, you should use the PoE injector. However, if you need to power up a number of devices or add PoE throughout the whole network, then you might use a PoE switch.

The downside to a PoE switch is that it’s only one device. If that’s the case and something goes wrong, production could be down for all the PoE devices attached to that PoE switch. A PoE injector, on the other hand, can be replaced easily.

Although an injector has many advantages over a switch, switches are recommended for larger networks with more complex setups.

Conclusion

Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches and injectors each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but they are each designed to solve different problems. When deciding between a switch and an injector, it is important to consider what you need. For instance, a switch would be a great solution for someone who needs to cover a large area with attached devices, whereas an injector is perfect for one or two devices that would need power separately from the network. You should also make sure your device supports PoE before connecting it to a PoE-enabled network, otherwise, you need to add a PoE splitter before your device to separate the power from data.

NVR vs DVR: What Are the Differences?

Surveillance systems have become an important requisite for commercial and residential areas. They play a vital role in numerous applications, including crime prevention, personal privacy, and more. A video surveillance system is needed to keep your business safe and secure. With different security systems out there with different types of cameras and equipment, it’s hard to choose the right surveillance system.

When choosing between a network video recorder (NVR) and a digital video recorder (DVR), think about what you need the system for and which type of camera will work best. Keep in mind that both types of devices are becoming increasingly popular. This article discusses NVRs and DVRs in detail.

What’s the Main Difference Between NVR vs DVR Systems?

Apart from the storage differences, the main difference between an NVR and DVR is in their processing of raw video data. DVRs process data at the recorder, while NVRs encode and process data at the camera before transmitting it to the recorder for storage and remote viewing. Unless they’ve been reconfigured, DVR systems connect to an analog CCTV system through coaxial cables, while NVRs communicate with IP cameras over Ethernet or WiFi.

NVR Systems——The Basics & Components

NVR stands for Network Video Recorder. It’s a computer system that includes a software program for recording video in a digital format to storage devices such as disks, USB flash drives, SD memory cards, and more. It’s more flexible than DVR systems. Here are the components required to set up an NVR system:

IP Cameras-NVRs work with IP cameras, including PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras and WiFi cameras. Both types of cameras can process their raw video data to digital signals and transmit it to the NVR to be saved. PoE cameras are convenient because you only need to run one cable between the camera and the NVR.

WiFi IP cameras-The second type is a wireless camera that can be connected to the NVR through a WiFi router or network. They are not difficult to set up, which is an advantage because they don‘t require wiring. On the other hand, their reliability is reduced by the reliance on a stable connection. Just remember the WiFi IP camera still needs a power source. It is not a wire-free camera with a battery built-in.

Each type offers different pros and cons, which will be explained in a bit. Regardless of the type you choose, it is important to make sure the recorder supports the manufacturer of the camera you’re buying.

Ethernet Cables-Ethernet cables are what are used to connect a PoE camera to the back of an NVR. They provide video, audio, and power. Cat5e or Cat6 cables are recommended, and they typically shouldn’t be run more than 328 feet (100 meters). But if you need to extend the distance, the PoE extender is a handy tool to go for, You can extend PoE up to 1500ft (500 meters).

NVR recorder-Video is encoded before it reaches the recorder, which means that the NVR recorder only really does recording and storage.

NVR Camera Systems——Pros & Cons

NVR Pros:

  • The PoE camera system allow single Ethernet cable to send power both and data to the IP camera. No need for power source present at the edge.
  • Wireless installation is almost always possible with minimal wiring.
  • The NVR system can work with WiFi and PoE wired IP cameras, which allows for greater camera placement freedom.
  • The system is capable of working with cameras that provide better resolutions or other features such as human shape detection.
  • The hybrid NVR system can also use analog video from a camera and turn it into digital data, which gives the system more efficient.
  • The data can also be given extra protection by encrypting it.

NVR Cons:

  • Overall, an NVR video surveillance system is more expensive.
  • Learning the software for NVR video surveillance systems can take some time for beginners.
  • Slow internet speed can make the technology difficult to use.

DVR Systems——The Basics & Components

DVR systems are designed to record videos in digital format. They are cheaper than NVR security systems, and this is one of the advantages of DVR systems, especially for small or domestic applications. A DVR system can’t store as much data as an NVR system, so it’s not the first option for large and industrial applications.

Analog Cameras-Analog security cameras are typically used in DVR systems. NVR systems are generally more expensive due to the camera, which typically transmits video data. While DVR security systems are less expensive and complicated.

Coaxial Cables-Data transmission is mostly done over coaxial cables. But due to their limitations, coaxial cable is not the best form of transmission when it comes to power supply devices on the same line. A separate cable needs to be used to carry electrical signals. Coaxial cables are sturdier and thicker than Ethernet cables, making installation a bit of a challenge. Audio is another limitation, as the standard coaxial cable may not support audio transmission.

Coaxial cables don’t provide power, so you need to install the analog camera near an outlet. If your property has a coaxial connection from a previous system, that cable can be re-used.

Standard coax cables won’t carry audio. A variant with an added RCA connection is needed, but even those have a limited number of audio input ports, and only a few cameras will be able to record audio.

The image quality on standard coax cables starts to degrade at around 300ft/90m, which might be enough for some applications, but not others.

DVR Camera Systems——Pros & Cons

DVR Pros:

  • Low cost, easy to use option for businesses with low bandwidth internet connection.
  • Great for small businesses in need of security surveillance.
  • Easy to operate, requires no special expertise.

DVR Cons:

  • The biggest disadvantage of the DVR is lower image quality. As the video is being encoded after it reaches the DVR. There is signal loss during the transmission of the analog video.
  • It requires more cables and wires because there is a need for a separate power source, which means if any of the cable disconnects, you lose your streaming.
  • DVR systems typically cover less area than IP cameras in the exact location.
  • The number of features and flexibility is lesser than that of an NVR system.
  • Audio recording on the NVR is limited to a specific channel.

DVR vs NVR——Which One to Choose?

When it comes to choosing between a DVR system and an NVR system, there are many factors at play. DVR systems are typically cheaper, which is why they’re more popular with smaller companies. They also take less bandwidth and have better signal stability, which makes them more reliable than an NVR solution. However, they don’t offer as good sound quality or image quality as a standalone NVR system.

NVR systems offer better image quality and system flexibility, which can be hard to come by when using a DVR system. While these systems cost more in the long run, you’ll at least have an excellent resolution of what you’re looking at. Plus, you can put IP cameras anywhere without having to worry about the cable running too far up into the walls or ceiling.

Ultimately, there is no “best” system for everyone. If you don’t need top-of-the-line image quality and have low bandwidth usage, you might want to consider a DVR unit. But if you have higher bandwidth usage and want more features than a simple DVR recorder then an NVR option might be better for you.

Management PoE Switch VS. Unmanned PoE switch

In our daily life (at home or in the office), PoE switches play an important role in connecting our data and information. In addition, PoE switches can not only transmit data signals, but also transmit power to external devices. Both power and signal can be sent at the same time. There are two types of PoE switches: managed and unmanaged. Managed and unmanaged switches are widely used in businesses, modern cities, and traffic management. How does it work? What’s the difference between them?

Unmanaged switches

Where a managed switch needs management that works exactly the way you want it in return for your network, an unmanaged switch works without any input from you. There are no configuration interfaces or options for repair and support. These network devices work in their simplest form. You do not need to enter an additional code. The unmanaged switch gives consumers the peace of mind that they have everything connected and started automatically. For private companies and small businesses, this would be a preferred choice.

Managed switches

If you have a company or an international hotel, you have to work with 1000+ colleagues. How do I connect all computers that work together? A managed switch is a device that can be configured and properly managed to provide a more personalized experience for those using the box. Monitoring the network is not the only function of managed switches. Control over data is another skill that makes managed switches more intellectual. This point can be shown by its characteristics. Managed switches generally provide Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) that allows users to monitor the status of the switch and individual switch ports and provide statistics such as traffic throughput, network errors, and port status. In summary, managed switches are designed for heavy workloads, high traffic, and deployments requiring custom configurations.

What are the differences between Managed and Unmanaged Switches?

Network switches are like the “brain” of a home network or a business network. Selecting suitable and highly efficient switches is an important task for network administrators. But how do we know which type of switch is right for us? This is a problem that has long puzzled people. We analyze the image of different switches. There are five main factors to focus on.

1. Performance

2. Features

3. Costs

4. Security

5. Places of application

6.performance

A major difference between managed and unmanaged switches is performance. Control switch is configurable Control of access and LAN traffic – Priority SNMP. It allows remote troubleshooting of the network. Managed switches also require one or more administrators who understand the concepts of network configuration and monitoring and how these concepts apply to a switch configuration. Unmanaged switches tend to have a plug and play installation process. Unmanaged switches plug and play with limited configuration such as the default QoS settings.

characteristics

Managed switch features may vary by manufacturer and model, but often include:

• STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) support for switch and link redundancy without creating loops. There are several STP iterations that are commonly configured, including traditional STP, STP per VLAN, fast STP, and multiple STP.

• the ability to implement quality of service;

• VLAN support;

• Bandwidth speed limitation; and

• Gate mirroring.

A unique feature of unmanaged switches is the MAC address table mentioned above. Maintaining a MAC address table will reduce the total number of broadcasts broadcast and limit the number of possible collisions within the domain. This is also an important distinction between an unmanaged switch and an Ethernet hub.

cost In terms of cost, unmanaged switches are significantly cheaper compared to their managed counterparts. However, few unmanaged switch options are considered enterprise options. Instead, organizations interested in unmanaged switches can purchase them directly from the manufacturer online or through big box stores.

safety

We can say that the managed switch is doing very well from a security point of view. Security features can be configured for managed switches that unmanaged switches cannot use. Managed switches provide protection for the data plane, control plane, and management plane. An unmanaged switch is not very good. No security other than accessories such as lockable terminal covers.

Application locations

The managed switch could make an incredible contribution to the data center of large corporate networks. Unmanaged switches are better suited for small business networks, homes, labs, conference rooms, etc.

How to choose between a managed and an unmanaged network switch

In many cases, consumers must select the most appropriate network switches to ensure that the entire network system is working properly. Then managed switches versus unmanaged switches: how do you choose the right switch for your practical network needs? What kinds of switches are there for business networks?

There is a little example that can tell the truth. An adult needs two eggs a day to replenish enough protein. Should a child also eat two eggs a day? The extra value can be wasted because it cannot be absorbed. As mentioned earlier, managed switches are more expensive than unmanaged switches because they require software patches, updates, and often an experienced person to be deployed. However, complex networks consisting of servers, wireless access points, PCs and IoT devices often require the configuration options for managed switches.

Small businesses with dozens of connected devices can probably get away with implementing an unmanaged switch. The functions of managed switches are unlikely to be used because a single flat network can easily handle the traffic generated by a small network. Therefore, the additional cost of a managed switch is unlikely to add any value to the business.

An organization may need a managed switch as the business is approaching hundreds of devices. In this case, the ability to use VLANs to divide the LAN into multiple broadcast domains can ensure optimal network performance. In addition, larger organizations likely have an IT network professional who can configure advanced performance, security, and monitoring features.

What is a PoE Injector?

Installing and maintaining hard-to-reach devices such as surveillance cameras or access points can be challenging, especially when they need to be maintained with both power and data cables. Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology that simultaneously supplies power and data through twisted pair Ethernet cables. The most popular device type in our PoE accessory line is the PoE injector. However, there are many questions that can be asked about this topic. This article explains the basics of the PoE injector.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that, in addition to the data normally carried by the cable, routes power through a twisted pair Ethernet cable to active devices (PD), such as wireless access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones. PSE devices send power and data to a connected PD via the Ethernet cable. PSE devices are classified as “Midspan” or “Endspan”. A common type of PoE midspan is a PoE injector.

What is a PoE injector and what can it do?

A PoE injector, also referred to as a PoE adapter, can be implemented to make a non-PoE compatible switch work with PoE devices by powering compatible devices through a single Ethernet cable. Typical use of a PoE injector requires 3 devices. The PoE injector itself, a connection to the network, usually a router or switch, and the device that requires the PoE injector.

If a non-PoE compatible network switch (which you do not want to upgrade) is used with a PoE device, a power source is required to power the connection. A PoE injector is a device that supplies power to an Ethernet cable for PoE devices. In particular, a PoE injector can be used to connect a wireless access point, IP phone, network camera, or any IEEE 802.3af / at-powered (PD) device to a network switch.

The PoE injector is a PoE compatible device. This is why it uses PoE technology, which means that delivering data and power over a standard Ethernet cable eliminates the need for AC / DC power supplies and outlets to power PD devices that need to be installed in a location where an outlet is not available. PoE installation is fast and inexpensive, especially when compared to older, outdated methods that require two separate cables, one for power and one for data. Plus, PoE installation doesn’t usually require a professional or bankrupt.

In addition, PoE injectors will not damage devices, even if the devices are not designed for PoE applications. Before the PSE sends power to a connected PD, the PSE initiates a handshake process that determines how much power the connected device requires.

Passive PoE Injector and Active PoE Injector

A PoE injector follows the PoE standard IEEE802.3af, IEEE802.3at or IEEE802.3bt, which is believed to use active PoE. The injector will only deliver power if it considers it sufficient and complies with the standards / requirements of the connected device. Otherwise, the device will not turn on.

While a passive PoE injector is usually a PoE injector that uses PoE technology that is not compliant with 802.3af, 802.3at or 802.3bt standard. There is no handshake with the device to determine the power requirement. Hence, it can sometimes be dangerous to use it when connected to an incompatible device.

How much power can the PoE injector provide?

There are three standards for PoE injectors: IEEE802.3 af standard (PoE), IEEE802.3 at standard (PoE +) and IEEE802.3 bt standard (PoE ++). The main difference between these types is the amount of power sent through the line. IEEE compliant PoE injectors can deliver an output from 12 watts to over 70 watts. The PoE can deliver 15.4 watts through Cat5 cable, while PoE + can deliver 30 watts through Cat5 cable.

How does the PoE injector work?

A PoE injector almost always has two RJ45 Ethernet ports, one of which is labeled Information In and the other is labeled PoE / Data Out. The injector plugs into a power outlet and data source and does the rest by electrifying the Ethernet cable and powering connected devices.

Before you buy a PoE injector, make sure it is right for you. While they are practical, they are not always the best solution. You may need to consider the number of devices, PoE standard, and voltage.

Where can I buy the PoE injector? Fastcabling offers different types of PoE injectors to meet your needs. Here are some recommendations:

30W PoE Injector, corresponds to IEEE802.3at, which comes with maximum 30W. Output power for connecting IP devices. Integration into an existing network system is secure and the compact size allows for flexible installation.

The 95W PoE Injector is an advanced PoE injector that supports 90W inputs and is suitable for power-hungry IP devices. The whole system works with a 95 W PoE splitter and offers a maximum power of 72 W for PoE and non-PoE devices. In addition, the displays provide an intuitive and easy way to monitor the operational status of the connected devices.

The 60W Outdoor PoE Injector is a standard 802.3bt device and delivers up to 60W for the Edge devices. That’s twice the power of the 802.3at, which is up to 30 W. Thanks to the sturdy metal housing and waterproof IP67 design, it can also be used outdoors.

What is PoE Extender?

IP devices such as IP surveillance cameras that are controlled via a PoE (Power over Ethernet) network are limited by a distance of 100 meters between the ports. Sometimes you need to use a cable longer than 300 feet. In this case, the connection distance can be increased using what is aptly known as a PoE extender or PoE repeater. What is PoE Extender? This article is designed to walk you through the basics

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that, in addition to the data normally carried by the cable, routes power through a twisted pair Ethernet cable to active devices (PD), such as wireless access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones. The limitations of PoE are that simple PoE only transmits signals from 100 m. That is why it is a challenge to connect a private LAN between buildings or more distant locations. Power Over Ethernet products (PoE Ethernet Extender or PoE Extender) provide an easy to connect, transparent power and Ethernet network bridge between existing AC outlets with Ethernet LAN data through your cabling to external PoE devices.

What is PoE Extender?

PoE extenders are the easiest and most effective way to extend CAT5 / 6 PoE transmission beyond the 100m limit of conventional PoE switches and injectors using standard twisted pair cables. The PoE extender is a connection device on the physical layer of the network. It is suitable for hotels, campuses, factory dormitories and small and medium businesses to create a low-cost network.

A Power-over-Ethernet extender (PoE extender) takes PoE technology to the next level by breaking two important limits as it can extend the distance limit of 100 meters and use existing copper twisted pair cables to run through the same stream network connection as an ethernet data stream.

Why use PoE extenders?

With the PoE extender you can easily improve the range and placement of your wireless and surveillance networks and thus the strength of your networks.

PoE extenders are not difficult to use. In general, it is just plug and go technology. The extenders usually work so seamlessly that the user may never know they are there.

The PoE extender reduces overall costs by eliminating the need for additional outlets and associated AC cabling to power the monitoring equipment. In other words, PDs can be deployed in the most convenient location for their use, not the location closest to an electrical outlet. This saves you time, money and concerns about adaptability, scalability and flexibility.

There are network or Ethernet switches that are not PoE compatible. If a PD is plugged into an electrical outlet and the power goes out, the device will lose power. In the absence of a UPS, all PDs lose power. However, this problem can be ignored by using the centralized PoE power supply. However, all devices are supported using a centralized power architecture and backed up.

PoE extenders use PoE power, which means that they use relatively low voltages, which means there is little chance of an electrical hazard.

How do you use PoE extenders?

A PoE extender receives power and data from the PSE it is connected to. It uses some of this energy for operation and forwards the remaining energy to the next PoE device. A POE extender helps installers overcome transmission limitations for Ethernet cables. A POE extender is also a POE injector. In theory, you would need one or two pairs of extenders per 100M. Your extender has a PoE in port and a PoE out port. It can simultaneously transmit data to back-end network cameras, wireless APs, VoIP phones, video door entry systems and other PoE endpoints.

Take the system configuration of the IP camera NVR as an example. When you connect your PoE extender to your IP surveillance camera, you only need to connect it inline. The PoE extender can run directly from the PoE port of an NVR or PoE switch to a camera and can easily reach 90 meters in length. Simply connect the PoE Extender Max in series to the Cat5 or Cat6 network cable for any additional length of 100 meters. No configuration or power is required. Because the work of the PoE extender is obtained through the PoE switch and no additional power supply.

If your IP camera is more than 100 m but less than 200 m away, you probably only need an extender. If you have to be 300 to 400 m tall, you probably need at least two or three extensions. If you connect an external camera from about 1 km away, the extenders will not help you. You need a fiber optic PoE solution.

Build POE IP Security Cameras System with POE Switch

Many people may require a POE IP camera system in their houses for property protection and safety, deploying IP cameras may be the best choice. Cameras linked with POE switches are convenient for users to install and eliminate unnecessary cables. With the development of IP camera systems, more intelligent IP cameras will be used in home IP security systems.

Undoubtedly, security is imperative for any business in modern society. IP camera security system offers an optimal solution to protect most businesses. Both a middle-sized company and a large-scale company need more than one IP camera for their IP camera security system. In this condition, the port number of POE switches is a good solution. a 24-port POE switch may be suitable for middle-sized networks, 48-port POE managed switches can meet requirements of large businesses like international hotels or enterprises.

How to Install A POE Camera?

If you are using a POE switch, regardless if it is a managed POE switch or an unmanaged POE switch, the easiest way to set up the POE camera is to simply connect it to the POE switch which will then provide the camera with data and power.

Why Use PoE Switch for IP Camera Systems?

When it comes to adopting PoE technology, some users may think it’s unnecessary to buy a PoE switch with a relatively high price. Compared with traditional solutions, adopting POE switches in IP camera systems have countless advantages.

  • Longer Runs

Connected with a POE switch, IP cameras can be installed anywhere, even to reach remote locations. With a single Cat5e cable, the distance of running POE IP camera can be up to 100m. If longer runs are required, POE repeaters may be needed.

  • More Connected Devices

A POE injector can also power IP cameras and save more space. However, what if there are many devices, say ten IP cameras, needing to be connected together? Under this condition, a POE switch that has more ports will provide the optimal choice.

  • Higher Power Output

POE switches can power devices in camera surveillance systems. Furthermore, the advanced POE+ switch that delivers more power can transmit up to 30W over Cat5 cables, compared with the average 15.4W offered by standard POE switches. As a result, the POE series switches can meet the demands for some power-hungry IP camera systems.

  • Easier to Manage With Troubleshooting Availability

Advanced POE switches allow each camera to be controlled remotely from any point in the IP camera systems. A managed POE switch can use a GUI interface to provide a topology view of the network and the devices connected to it, which functions in troubleshooting when a system goes down. Specifically speaking, each port on the POE switch can be programmed to send an automatic alert to the authorized users when a camera breaks down. After logging in, the user will identify which camera is broken and reboot it with the aid of the topology view. If the reboot doesn’t work, the user can send a technician to repair it immediately. POE switches can help to speed up the troubleshooting and repair process and minimize the overall downtime.

  • Lower Expense & Less Time

Since administrators can monitor and manage the switches remotely, in most of the cases, they can reboot any non-responding POE IP camera without going to the camera’s location, which saves both cost and effort.

How to use POE switch to build IP camera system？

Step 1: Get a POE Switch

Step 2: Connect your IP Cameras to the POE Switch

Step 3: Plug Your POE Switch into the Router

Step 4: Power on the POE Switch

Step 5: Add the Cameras to Your NVR

How to Select, Choose or Buy a POE Switch for IP cameras?

To choose a suitable, reliable and best POE switch for your IP security cameras, there are few factors you need to consider: POE standard, POE IP cameras’ power consumption, POE switch maximal power supply, POE switch port number, cable length and etc.

  • Factor 1. POE IP Camera Power Consumption

A POE switch not only carries network connection but also supply power to Power over Ethernet (POE) IP cameras. However, IP cameras power consumption varies; some could draw up to 20 Watt such as PTZ IP cameras RLC-423 while others could consume as little as 3 or 4 Watt.

Therefore, a POE switch should be able to provide enough power for different types of IP camera via Cat 5 or Cat 6 cables.

There are mainly two types of power over Ethernet (POE) standards, theoretically, the POE standard (IEEE802.3af) could provide up to 15.4W of DC power on each port. In practice, only 12.95 W will be supplied to the IP cameras or other POE devices given the power loss that dissipates in the network cables.

Similarly, the POE+ standard (IEEE802.3at) can pump out up to 30 W per port while only 25.5W could transmit to Network-enabled devices in real time.

Choose a POE Switch that suits your surveillance needs and makes sure to double check your POE IP camera power consumption ether in the user manual or technical specification spreadsheet.

  • Factor 2. POE Switch Maximal Power Supply

Meanwhile, the maximal power supplies of your POE switch matters as well. If the maximal power supply of the all your cameras exceeds your POE switch power cap, then the POE switch won’t provide enough power for all your POE IP cameras, pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) IP cameras in particular.

Insufficient power supply to the IP cameras are the common culprits for video loss and IP camera poor performance.

That being said, when buying a POE switch for IP cameras, it’s important to go for a POE switch with more power juice or reducing the number of PTZ IP cameras plugged into the POE switch as PTZ cameras draw more power than other IP cameras.

  • Factor 3. POE Switch Power Supply Voltage

Many security cameras run either 12V or 24V power, if not supplied with the proper power voltage, the IP camera either won’t work or even be overloaded.

For example, 12V IP security camera is powered by a 24V power source or vice versa, the IP cameras would likely to be burnt out or fried. To provide the proper amount of power for the POE IP cameras, one of an important feature to look for in a POE switch for IP cameras is its abilities to automatically adjust voltage accordingly.

For example, a POE switch with 802.3af compatibility is able to accommodate the power input of your IP security cameras, for example, GS308P POE Switch comes with IEEE 802.3af compliant.

  • Factor4. POE Switch Port Number

If you are looking for POE switch for more than 4 cameras, it’s important to check the port number, such as a POE switch with 8 ports, POE switch with 16 ports, POE switch with 24 ports, or POE switch with 48 ports.

While the port number largely depends on your actual need as well as the overall power consumption of your IP cameras.

For example, a 24-port POE switch with 370W power supply could power 24 IP cameras with IEEE802.3af standard (15.4W per port) while it could only power 12 IP cameras with IEEE802.3at standard (30W per port).

  • Factor 5. Gigabit POE Switch or Not

As mentioned before, a POE switch not only supply power to the IP cameras but also carries network connection.

A gigabit switch is getting an upper hand in comparison with a 10/100 Mbps switch because you do not want the switch to become the data bottleneck when you are powering 4 POE IP cameras in addition to other devices on the switch. (Learn whether IP security cameras slow down your home network)

  • Factor 6. Unmanaged or Managed POE Switch

The main differences between an unmanaged and managed POE switch lie in functionality, configurability, and of course, the price tag.

Unmanaged POE switch (cheaper) is a plug-and-play with no setup required while managed POE switch allows you to configure networking protocols, as features such as VLANs, IGMP Snooping or more.

For most homeowners, an unmanaged POE switch fits the budget and works to meet the needs for powering POE IP cameras.

PoE Switch VS. PoE Injector: Which Should Choose for PoE Networking System Setup

The Internet has become an important part of our daily lives. In order to make life more convenient, there are various network devices on the market, such as IP phone, wireless access point and IP camera. These devices not only need to get the network through the Ethernet cable, but also need to get the power through the wire. When the number of devices is large, the wiring will be complicated. How to solve this problem?

Recently, PoE (Power over Ethernet) technology has been widely used, which can transmit power and network simultaneously through a single Ethernet cable. PoE devices include power sourcing equipment (PSE) and powered devices (PD). PSE is a device for transmitting power, and then PoE switches and PoE injectors are PSEs. Devices that receive electricity are called PDs. People often ask:  PoE switch vs. PoE injector: Which one should choose? This article will compare these two PSEs to help you make a choice.


What is a PoE switch?

PoE network switches or Power over Ethernet switches are built-in PoE injection network switches. Therefore, it can transmit both power and network to the PD directly connected to it through a single Ethernet cable. PoE network switches are considered to be one of the smartest ways to invest in your network system.

PoE switches are mainly used with IP cameras, VoIP phones and wireless access points (WAP). You can usually buy 4/8/16/24/48 port PoE switches. PoE network switches can be divided into many types, such as unmanaged, managed PoE switches, outdoor PoE switches, industrial-grade switches, and 800m long-distance PoE switches. PoE switches provide power and establish network connections for IP cameras that support PoE through network cables such as Cat5, Cat5e and Cat6.

What is PoE Injector?

Power injectors are also called PoE injectors or midspans. They are small, simple hardware devices connected to your network, allowing you to power other devices through your network. There are two types of PoE injectors, including passive PoE injector and active PoE injector.

In order to add PoE to conventional non-PoE network connections, PoE injectors are often used. Although all ports of PoE switches can be used for power supply and network transmission, some older switches without PoE function cannot be used with PoE devices because they can only transmit network but not power. Fortunately, if you just want to use PoE technology, you don’t need to upgrade all your existing switches to PoE-compatible switches. Compared to replacing your original network infrastructure, PoE injector is a cheap and easy way to allow some PoE devices to be used with non-PoE switches.  

The injector injects power into the data obtained from the non-PoE switch and transmits the power and network to the PD through a single Ethernet cable (such as Cat5e and Cat6 cable). The two main benefits of using power injectors in your network are cost and flexibility.

PoE switch vs. PoE injector: The choice depends on network requirements.

Among the two PoE PSE devices mentioned above, PoE network switches are currently the most commonly used devices. Because of its high efficiency and cost-saving advantages, PoE switches are often the first choice when planning to establish a PoE network for homes or offices.

However, before PoE switches became popular, non-PoE switches were usually used in home or office network construction. When you need to add some PDs with PoE to these network systems, what would you do? In this case, you don’t need to discard the existing non-PoE switch and buy the new ones with PoE. PoE injectors can be added to each PD, saving you the trouble of upgrading switches. However, it should be noted that the PoE injector is only suitable for PoE network systems with a few PDs. If you want to add dozens of PDs, it is more appropriate to choose a PoE switch.

As the company continues to expand and homes become more and more intelligent, PoE switches are an effective part of taking your network in the right direction. Any network device that requires a small amount of power to operate and communicate on the network can be plugged into the PoE switch. PoE injectors can still meet some special needs. The latest IEEE802.3 bt standard can provide 95W high power, and the 95W PoE injector is a good choice without changing the existing network infrastructure. 10G PoE injector is another device that injects power into a 10G network. So how to choose PoE switch and PoE injector depends on the actual situation. The PoE switch has integrated the power supply in the switch, and the PoE injector is used as a power supply that can increase the power to the twisted wire and transmit the network and power to the front-end IP devices.

What’s the Difference Between PoE NVR and PoE Switch?

“I’m going to install two IP cameras in my house. If the NVR already has PoE switch built in, just use that? Actually, I have no idea whether to use a PoE NVR or a PoE switch matching with them. So, what’s the difference between them? Can some one help me?” This article intends to explore the differences between PoE NVR and PoE switch. Let’s break down the differences and the pros and cons of each in details so that you can make an informed decision.

What is PoE? 


Power over Ethernet (POE) is a technology that lets network cables carry DC power. PoE connections offer greater flexibility in terms of where you can locate a device, because with a PoE connection, there is no need for the additional power cable. This reduces the complexity of installing in awkward locations.

You can find two kinds of PoE capable devices today: power sourcing equipment (PSE) and powered devices (PD). Sometimes a device functions as both a PSE and PD. Power over Ethernet (POE) technology sends 10/100/1000 Mbps of data and 15W, 30W, 60W, and up to 90W of power budget to devices over Cat5e and Cat6 Ethernet cables for a maximum distance of 100m.

PoE benefits organizations in 5 five primary ways — 1. reduced installation costs, 2. increased installation safety, 3. responsive deployments, 4.high performance data-gathering capabilities, and 5. productivity enhancements. POE has many applications, but the three key areas are: VoIP phones, IP cameras, Wireless access point.

What is PoE switch?

A switch is a device that allows devices on a network to communicate. A PoE switch has the Power over Ethernet functionality built into it, delivering power and data over the same cable for easy installation. It is a dedicated device that contains multiple Ethernet ports to provide power and network communications to IP devices. This allows a PoE switch to expand the reach of an NVR system because you can connect IP cameras to the PoE switch rather than the NVR. A PoE switch expands a network created by a router. Therefore, it must be connected directly to a router on the same network as your NVR. Most PoE switches have limited power, so you can only power smaller devices.

What is PoE NVR?

PoE NVR is a network video recorder with built-in PoE switch meant for use with PoE based IP cameras. Equipped with a PoE switch, the PoE NVR provides both power and network to the cameras via a single Ethernet cable. There is no need for an additional PoE switch, which will reduce the cost of equipment in theory. Simply run one CAT5e/6 cable from the camera to the NVR, and it will provide power to the camera while streaming video/audio/data all over one single cable.

The Difference between PoE NVR and PoE switch

From the above, you will see that both PoE NVR and PoE switch can provide power and data transmission. However, the former is limited in minimal network administration experience while the latter can expend the network freely. With PoE NVR, all the cameras have directly wire back to the NVR as the PoE switch is integrated to recorder box which is good and not good. If the system is small such as 4-channel IP camera system, PoE NVR makes the setup quickly. However the flexibility gets worse while the cameras are increasing. With PoE switch, multiple cameras can connect to different switch before it return to the NVR. Thinking that a PoE switch needs to be placed anywhere near your NVR or router would be a mistake when there are many camera in the system. It makes the most sense to place your switch as close to the biggest cluster of cameras as possible. This can make for a lot of short cable runs from IP cameras to switch. From there, it’s just a matter of running a single cable from that switch back to your router. The end result is that you simultaneously put all of your IP cameras on your network by running that one cable.

There’s no way to conceal the fact that purchasing an NVR with a built in switch is going to be cheaper. A standard NVR purchased together with a dedicated PoE switch will probably cost you about 25% more than the alternative. If you still have a demand for the same type of “camera hardwired to NVR” setup and your NVR is out of warranty, you’ll now find yourself needing to replace the entire NVR instead of the much cheaper network switch. The PoE switch is being integrated into the PoE NVR, if the PoE NVR go defective, the both NVR and the switch has to be replaced.

The PoE NVR is going to require that you run your cable the same way you would with an analog system. In this scenario, you’re going to be running a cable for each camera all the way back to the NVR to create your hardwired connection. Your cable length is limited, in this case, to the standard 328 feet unless the PoE extender is being deployed.