IP CCTV Design

[F3000]

I have been expected this for a while but have finally been asked about replacing our current CCTV system with a new IP CCTV system.

 

What I am thinking of doing is using our old 1GB fiber backbone (which was replaced with 10GB fiber last year, but is still connected) as a private network for the CCTV connected to separate PoE switches (something like a Netgear GS110TP) in each of our cabs (one switch per cab), with a central server for the recording, which would also have a connection to our normal network for remote viewing etc. We have various bits left we can use for this to save costs (being the biggest issue of course!). The main reason for choosing this route would be to save the issues I know we would get from our LA in trying to do this with our normal network.

 

Is there any reason why something like this might not work? Any input appreciated.

[plexer]

Sounds perfectly reasonable we used to use a vlan for all the camera traffic but no reason why you can't use a completely separate physical network and then a multi homed server to do the recording which could then also be connected to via the main computers.

 

Ben

[forkies]

ith a central server for the recording, which would also have a connection to our normal network for remote viewing etc. We have various bits left we can use for this to save costs (being the biggest issue of course!).

 

Depending on how many cameras and quality and fps and retention period you will most definitely need a large storage device. We have 29 cameras, 24 are old bnc on a IP converter so standard def at 1/4fps, 4 hd cameras 1080p at 6fps and 1 720p camera PtZ at 6fps. Continuous recording for 30 days is 4TB of data.

 

We are rolling out more HD cameras to replace the old bnc which will see our 16TB storage fully utilised.

 

I would recommend putting in a couple of grand for a nas to use as storage unless you have that sitting around.

[plexer]

There's no need to do continuous recording, record on motion detect and you'll reduce storage needs.

 

Ben

[forkies]

There's no need to do continuous recording, record on motion detect and you'll reduce storage needs.

 

Ben

 

We don't have the CPU power to manage that load. And as the old cameras are on converters they cannot do it on the camera itself, newer ones could but for "consistency" our LT/governors put in our CCTV policy that it will be continuously recording 24/7/365.

[Oaktech]

Your CCTV network plan sounds totally valid. In fact I'd have given my eye teeth to be able to have done it that way!

 

As far as storage goes, work out how much you think you need and double it, you're probably only delaying the inevitable need for more anyway.

[Net-Ctrl]

If you would like any further assistance with your IP-CCTV design, please let me know. We supply, install and support MOBOTIX IP-CCTV cameras, and have trained in-house system designers and engineers.

[F3000]

Thanks for the replies. Storage is something we will need to consider but at first we are looking at just trying it in a couple of areas to see how it goes and if it works we can see about expanding it.