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Networking Basics: How to Build a WiFi Network for Small Businesses

A successful network helps your business prosper. It’s obvious that networking has become a decisive factor that can either make or break your career. In this highly interconnected world of today, it’s crucial to maintain a strong network of business connections for your company, foster the exchange of ideas to sustain long-term relationships and mutual trust with your employees and customers, and develop sustainable partnerships to help your business thrive. But network design is never easy, especially when constructing a commercially-purposed system. Don’t know how to start? Don’t know where to start? Read on! Our ultimate guide is to guide you through the basics of business networks and walk you through all the necessary processes to set up a business-grade WiFi network from scratch.

To begin with, let’s have a brief view of the importance of WiFi networks in small businesses.

The Importance of Networks Can Never Be Overestimated


The WiFi network is a crucial investment for businesses of all kinds to boost higher sales and drive higher levels of customer satisfaction. In today’s society, most jobs are accomplished before the desks. The Internet offers you a multitude of opportunities to do business with people around the world to sell your products, ideas and services through digital channels. A successfully set up network is a natural booster for productivity. Almost every industry today requires Internet access to get the job done. It allows an increased amount of users on your network and keeps your business running with a constantly operating system. Cloud-based apps and web-based tools make it possible to work and collaborate with your partners almost anywhere around the world. Resources and information can be exchanged and accessed more quickly to eliminate the financial loss caused by information delay. It helps improve team performance by providing your employees an Internal Website where they can find shared documents in one centralized location and collaborate with their peers on group projects. A well-organized network is important for companies of all sizes. You can enjoy complete control over every device on the network and put a stop to most security threats before they cause any damage. It gives your employees more freedom to work from anywhere in the office or building and still access the same network and devices.

Challenges of Building a Small-Business WiFi Network


Designing and maintaining a WiFi network for small businesses could be quite a challenge. Network designs and support strategies need to be adjusted to the needs and desires of those who are using the network. With the evolvement of office designs over years, small-business owners should rethink their network layouts as their businesses expand. Office redesigns may increase workflow efficiency and benefit your company as a whole, but without a proper network design to support all network devices and workstations, your employees will face more problems than you imagine. If your network is not robust or if it only features a limited capacity, it’ll soon become overloaded with the increasing influx of incoming traffic. In addition, a falsely placed network router could also jeopardize your network structure for incomplete WiFi coverage. However, designing your network for reliability and redundancy helps your business quickly recover from unexpected events and breakdowns to mitigate the financial loss caused by network downtime.



Network Design for Small Businesses


The network design would vary according to your office layout, bandwidth requirements, the number of devices connected, etc. To deliver the best possible experience to users, you have to put careful thought into your design, and keep in mind that simplicity and functionality should always be the guiding principles for designing a small office network. Network design is normally the job of IT professionals, but it’s never rocket science. By asking yourself the following questions, you’ll be able to set up a WiFi network on your own.



Question 1: What Type of Networks Do You Need?

There are various types of networking options available, and they can be classified according to their sizes (how large an area they can cover and how many devices they can carry) and purposes, such as Personal Area Network (PAN), Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN). PAN is a computer network centered around an individual for personal use only. It only provides a limited network within a person’s range typically of 10 meters to establish short-range communication between different devices like a computer, smartphone, tablet, printer, etc. It can be connected through wireless signals such as ZigBee and Bluetooth or through a wired connection via USB. It’s often applied in a home office where only one room needs to be covered. LAN is a group of computers and network devices that are connected in geographically limited areas such as offices, campuses and hospitals, in which multiple computers and other interconnected devices like printers are connected to a single high-speed data line within a limited area. It can carry more than 5000 devices across several buildings to deliver a higher speed compared with other network types with various media access control methods like Ethernet. You can easily transfer data and messages over networked computers and store the data in only one place which makes it more secure. On the other hand, WAN is another computer network that covers a larger geographical area, like in an enterprise, and it can also be deemed as a network that is consisted of multiple LAN networks. It can be used for any data-sharing purposes for which LAN is used. But for small businesses, WAN and LAN would be enough to fully carpet your offices.

Question 2: What Internet Speed is Required for Your Business?

A growing business needs a stable Internet connection since most of the job is done online, but what SMB owners don’t need is wasting money on something they’ll possibly never use, like the 10 Gigabit network. Evaluating how much speed you need is crucial to help your business run more smoothly and quickly in a more budget-friendly way. Factors that choosing business internet speeds vary from business to business but must be determined according to the number of devices in use and what tasks need to be done. The average business requires at least 25Mbps of download speed and 3Mbps of upload speed (the required network speed in a broadband connection) to complete daily tasks. 100Mbps is a good amount for a small company with no more than 10 users to do some simple tasks like sending emails, online browsing, downloading documents, etc. The speed required in this case is 1-2Mbps for each computer. 300Mps is more appropriate for a company with 15-20 users to accomplish business transactions, video streaming, and large-sized file/video generation. But if you have 30+ users or devices on your network, 1000Mbps is required to provide upload and download speeds of 940 and 880Mbps respectively to ensure steady workflow with zero interference. The Gigabit network can help you handle bandwidth-hungry applications and complicated tasks like streaming conference calls and running multimedia projects.

Question 3: Router & Switch, What’s the Difference?

When building a small office WiFi network, the two essential tools you’ll need is the router and network switch. Knowing the difference between these two devices will help you sort out lots of confusion you may have when choosing the right networking hardware. The router is normally equipped with 4-8 ports, but it supports both wired and wireless connections to give you more flexibility in access point placement and cabling arrangement. The network switch comes with more network ports (4/8/16/32/64) to connect more devices at a time, but it only supports wired Ethernet connections. In a router, the network speed is limited to 10/100Mbps for wireless broadcast and restricted to 10/100/1000Mbps for wired connections, but a switch can deliver a steady data connection at a speed of 10-1000Mbps. In a LAN network, the network switch is seemingly much faster than a router, but in a different network type like WAN, the router works faster, so it all depends on which type of network you’re using. The router can also be configured via a computer to customize the WiFi settings as you want, but the switch is not necessarily configurable: the router can offer QoS Services, while only the managed network switch support such services. Basically, if you have only a few devices on your network, a router may be a good choice for central control over your devices, but if you ask for more connections, then the network switch may be a better option.


Question 4: Wired or Wireless, Which is Better?

A wired connection is more reliable and efficient: it rarely runs into data loss and random outages. The wireless network features a simpler, quicker and cleaner setup, and it generally costs less than its wired counterpart since all you need is an Internet connection. You can save a lot without installing new cables or infrastructures. And you can easily relocate the devices because there are no cables at all, which gives you more flexibility on where to place the devices. But the wireless network, on the other hand, is more susceptible to interference and attenuation. Wireless signals can be easily impeded by physical obstructions like walls, doors, metal pipes, etc., so if your office is isolated by multiple walls, we’ll recommend you to stick with the wired Ethernet connection. A wired router can operate at higher speeds compared to a wireless one since the wired connection supports a higher speed ranging from 10/100 Mbps to 1 Gbps for each device and can even exceed that to reach 2.5G or more if a WiFi 6 router is in use, whereas a wireless router normally operates at 100-300Mbps. Moreover, a wired connection is also more secure but the setup is more expensive. You must run Ethernet cables between each device and the router/switch, which is also very time-consuming when devices are located in different rooms. Therefore, it would be better if you can mix them in the same network system. A hybrid network provides you with more freedom and mobility while maintaining a more stable network connection.

How to Set Up a Hybrid Network for Small Businesses?


The hybrid network is a combination of wired and wireless networks. It basically uses wireless access points as satellites to provide complete WiFi coverage for your premises and uses the wired connections as a backhaul. Moreover, to eliminate unnecessary cable running in your office, you can also take advantage of PoE to transmit the data and power through the same network cable. It’s also a good option to install the devices in places where it’ll be more challenging and expensive to install new electrical infrastructures, like ceilings.

Components You’ll Need:

• a router

• a PoE switch

• Ethernet cables

• Wired or Wireless Access Points


1) Router

The router is fundamental hardware for your business network to function flawlessly. It receives the information from the Internet (normally from a modem) and transfers the data packets through the Ethernet cable to the connected device. The network devices often use a network switch or PoE switch as an intermediary device for Internet connections. The WiFi router normally uses the radio frequencies of 900Mhz, 2.4Ghz, 5Ghz, 3.6Ghz and 10Ghz bands to provide Internet access for your smartphone, computer or other Internet-connected appliances. It provides a platform where different devices can communicate with each other.

2.4Ghz or 5Ghz?

If you want to get the best coverage from a router, you should choose 2.4Ghz over 5Ghz. Even though the 5Ghz router supports a faster network speed, it uses a narrower wavelength to broadcast the signals and it’s more susceptible to physical obstructions, which means it cannot penetrate the wall, door, or desk as well as the 2.4Ghz band does. Moreover, 2.4Ghz is better at delivering signals at a greater distance Also, if your neighbors are also using the 5Ghz band, changing your router’s channel will allow it to operate on a different frequency, clearing up the interference issue.

2) PoE Switch

PoE switch is a network switch that has Power over Ethernet functionality built into it. The most obvious advantage of using a PoE switch is that it offers great flexibility for installation and relocation in places where no power is present, which greatly improves the scalability of network architecture and reduces the costs of the initial investment. The PoE switch is hot-swappable, which makes it ultra user-friendly for average families and small and medium-sized businesses. An active PoE switch is equipped with auto-sensing PoE ports that automatically detect the compatibility of the connected devices to lower the chances of power outages, operation failures, etc., and prevent irreversible electrical damages caused to the PDs. The PoE switch is widely used in different scenarios, from home to office, industry to neighborhood, indoors and outdoors, etc.

PoE Switch vs Network Switch

The primary difference between a PoE switch and a network switch is that the latter only supports data transmission, so an additional power source is demanded to power the edge devices, while the PoE switch can send power and data together down the same Ethernet cable to the PDs. By using a PoE switch, you can mix PoE and non-PoE devices in the same network, while the regular switch fails to do so on its own. However, the regular switch can become PoE-enabled when connected to a PoE injector to add electrical power to the PDs.

Advantages of Using PoE switches:

• Reduced costs: An all-in-one unit that transmits power and data at the same time.

• Greater flexibility: The PoE switch can be deployed basically anywhere and makes it easy to add new network equipment to the existing network.

• Centralized power control and monitor: The PoE switch secures better power management and allocation by optimizing the traffic on each Ethernet port. The LED displays also provide the users with real-time power information to leverage the benefits of PoE.

Managed or Unmanaged PoE Switch?

PoE switches can be roughly divided into managed or unmanaged switches according to their management. The unmanaged PoE switch is a relatively simple plug-and-play device that can’t be modified or managed. The unmanaged switches are normally manufactured with a fixed configuration and with merely no security features. It’s a more cost-effective option normally used in local networks where only several devices are deployed. The managed PoE switch offers full management capabilities and high-level security features that allow you to prioritize and monitor the traffic coming out of each PoE port and facilitate troubleshooting. It allows users to create new VLANs and guarantees fast data recovery in network failures. The managed PoE switch is equipped with advanced security features that help avoid direct tampering on the device, ideal for applications in remote control, round-the-clock monitoring and smart buildings.


3) Access Points

The access point is a piece of networking device that connects your wireless devices to your wired network. According to its connection methods, it can be further divided into wired and wireless access points. The wired access point has to be hardwired to a router to get an Internet connection, but a wireless access point can receive the signals wirelessly and rebroadcast them to the Internet-capable devices. But when using a PoE switch, it’s highly recommended to use the wired access points for higher levels of reliability. The access points can also be used to extend the WiFi coverage of an existing network and cover the dead spots in your offices. The access point works very similarly to an amplifier but not just extending WiFi. It takes the bandwidth from the router and projects the signals to the designated area, to an extended distance.

Placement Recommendations

The access points can cover up to 200-300 meters but the real coverage depends largely on the placement. Once you have a good idea of your network plan, you need to start evaluating the signal strength of the place you need to cover and test it with your phone or a WiFi analyzer. Any signal strength between -67 and -30 dBm is quite enough, but once it’s lower than -70 dBm, their performance will start to degrade. Based on the shape of your office, floor plan and layout, the location of the access point could vary, but to ensure you have strong WiFi signals everywhere, the APs should be placed in an open and unobstructed place. In other words, they should be placed right in the center of an open workspace. And since the wireless signals can be easily impeded by physical obstructions, you should avoid placing the APs in the closet or behind solid metal objects. And to deliver better performance, they should be mounted below the ceiling with the cables running above, so the signals won’t be affected by any surrounding cables or other construction elements.


4) Ethernet Cables

Ethernet cables are the key to connecting everything together. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables are one of the most commonly used network cables in SMBs. It’s highly recommended to use Cat5 or Cat5e Ethernet cables to connect the access points to the PoE switch and each other to secure a high-speed data transfer between the computers. Normally, the Cat5 Ethernet cable is capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 100Mbps, while the Cat5e cable is often utilized in networks that run on Gigabit network speeds and typically costs less than Cat6 or Cat7 cables. And you should use pure copper cables for best which has a greater conductivity, while the CCA cable would generate more DC resistance and therefore create greater power loss.


Tips for cable management: Even in a small office, you’ll need to run tons of cables, which will gradually become a mess and tangle up over time. To manage your cables, you can use a patch panel to organize your cables and label them with different tapes. Moreover, you can use zip ties to bundle cables together to keep them neat and organized.

How to Connect?

1) Use a short Ethernet cable to connect one of the LAN ports of the router and the uplink port of the PoE switch. Plug the router into the nearby power outlet.

2) Power up the PoE switch and use a long Ethernet cable to connect the switch and access points. For units that are not PoE-enabled, you can use a PoE splitter to separate data and power into two different streams and feed them to the non-PoE APs.

3) After the connection is completed, test if the signal is strong enough.

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Top 4 Challenges When Using Mesh WiFi

You bought a router and expected to have WiFi signals available in every corner. But it turns out there are always some spots that cannot be covered. That’s because the wireless network mainly relies on radio waves for data transmission, and as the distance increases, the signal strength will gradually deteriorate, especially when it penetrates through multiple physical obstructions like walls, doors, pipes, trees, etc. An average WiFi router that runs on a 2.4Ghz frequency can support a maximum transmission distance of 45 meters indoors and 90 meters outdoors (in a clear line of sight), which is enough to fully cover a small-to-medium-sized property. But since the WiFi signal can spread out equally in all directions, if you place the router in the corner, then most parts of the house cannot be covered at all.

But no worries. There’s a budget-friendly way to help you get WiFi available in every corner or specific room and location. By using the mesh system, you can get expanded coverage by installing extra units and tailoring your wireless network according to the shape of your house and network purpose to ensure complete WiFi coverage.

What is Mesh WiFi?


The mesh system is an integrated network system that consists of the main router that directly connects to your modem and two or three mesh nodes that act as satellites to bring seamless connectivity to every corner. The mesh router is the backbone of the mesh system to transfer packets to and from the mesh nodes (clients) and establish communication between these clients. Unlike the traditional WiFi routers, they all belong to a single wireless network and share the same SSID and password, so you can easily access one of these wireless stations wherever you are. It provides a wider coverage with less cost than the wired network. The mesh WiFi system is designed for places that suffer weak or incomplete WiFi coverage to repeat and boost up the signals during the transmission.


Installation Process: Though the installation process of each mesh system may differ, they all follow the general procedure: 1) connect the main node to the router with an Ethernet cable and power them up; 2) download the app on your phone and log into your account; 3) enter the serial number of the main node; 4) add the satellite nodes one at a time; 5) After each node is added, go to each room it’s located to test if it’s successfully connected.

Why is Mesh Network Better than the Traditional WiFi Router?


Mesh WiFi is relatively a new entry into the customer market. In the mesh system, the mesh router and satellite nodes behave like a single seamless network, so it’s a good option for homes with multiple floors or a spread-out layout. Signal issues can be easily addressed by the mesh system. Since all the mesh units (router and nodes) share the same SSID, which enables your WiFi devices like phones and laptops to roam between different mesh nodes, so you can connect to the closest mesh node directly without the need to search for the separate SSID for a particular unit. If you are in the living room, your device can automatically connect to the nearest mesh node located there, and when you move into the kitchen, the connection will also be changed simultaneously. And because the mesh nodes run on the same SSID, they can relay data more intelligently. They can use a 2.4Ghz channel to communicate with the router and use a 5Ghz channel to relay the packets to other mesh nodes.

On the other hand, the old-school WiFi router has to process the traffic on a single unit to send and receive the data on its own, so network congestion is a common issue in legacy networks. When a device communicates with a router, the signal has to travel the full distance from wherever it is to the router’s location. Worse still, since a traditional router can only support a limited transmission range, its signal strength will start to deteriorate and its network speed will also start to slow down when it hits some physical obstructions, so only a small fraction of WiFi signals can make it to the destination. An improperly installed router is a risk of potential financial loss and a bad user experience. Devices that are further away or out of the WiFi range will experience poor quality of service than those closer to the router. And even though some traditional routers support network bridging to expand the network range by connecting two separate routers, you’ll have to constantly switch between different routers when you change your location since they have different SSIDs.

Applications


The mesh system can be widely utilized in both residential and commercial applications, such as broadband home networks, enterprising networking, building automation, traffic systems and security systems. Actually, the list can go on and on. It provides a cost-effective way to increase the wireless Internet coverage throughout your home without installing new network cables. Moreover, it also plays a significant role in supporting real-time communications such as audio and video to give you the best network experience in video conferencing. It is highly scalable and customizable: you can install more mesh nodes to extend the WiFi range if the initial set isn’t enough to cover the whole place. Each unit can communicate with the main router and talk to each other directly, and it only needs an electrical hook-up to function. But please remember if your problem is caused by network congestion on the WLAN or a slow-speed and poorly placed WiFi router, a mesh system isn’t going to solve your problem.



Mesh WiFi System: Issues and Challenges


Even though the mesh system provides better performance, more wireless coverage and less network congestion than the wired network does, it is not without its own limitations and challenges.

#1 Network Planning Could be Complicated


As we mentioned previously, the mesh network is highly scalable (you can install more mesh nodes for an expanded coverage), but planning the mesh network is quite complicated. Based on the shape of your house, floor plan and layout, the position of every mesh node may differ. Before making an investment in the mesh system, you’ve to decide where you need to cover and check if you have any signal strength issues there. Considering the data rate is largely determined by signal strength, once you have a good idea of the area you want to cover, you need to evaluate the signal strength of the desired area and determine where it might be possible to place the units. You can easily test the strength of the WiFi network with your phone as long as it is internet capable: open the Settings on your phone and go straight to the WiFi settings to see the WiFi strength of your network. Or download an app such as WiFi Analyzer where the signal strength will be shown precisely in dBm to help you pick up the ideal installation site. Any signal strength between -67 and -30 dBm is quite enough, but once it’s lower than -70 dBm, the performance will start to degrade. And it probably won’t work at all when it touches down to -80 dBm.


And choose a spot that is ready for immediate installation. Data can be transmitted wirelessly, but remember you’ll still need power where you place the mesh node. Because each mesh node has to act as an access point or a router, it has to draw more power to function properly. Therefore you have to install it in some place where there are power outlets nearby to ensure the optimum functionality of your mesh system. If your mesh nodes are battery-powered, then you’ll need to design a proper network plan to make sure the device won’t run out of battery in the long term. Some mesh nodes can be wired into the network, while others only need to draw power through the wired connections. If you have wired Ethernet running to the locations where you want to install the mesh nodes, then you can choose a unit that provides the option to connect the device directly to the router through wired ‘Ethernet backhaul’. But some companies also develop some models that allow you to plug the wired devices into the Ethernet ports on the mesh node.

#2 Network Speed May Slow Down


The mesh system offers the fastest and most straightforward way to provide seamless connectivity over a large property, but still, it cannot 100% guarantee complete coverage throughout your home. It’s not necessarily the mesh system that slows the network speed. If your mesh router is connected to a lower-speed Internet connection, then there’s little you can possibly do to improve the speed. Actually, various factors can contribute to a slower network speed. To enable the mesh units to reach their rated speeds, the first thing you need to do is to reboot the system. Restarting your mesh units will force them to choose new WiFi channels that experience less congestion. Another simple way is to adjust the antenna of the mesh router. For coverage on more than one floor, the WiFi antennas should always be pointed at different angles. If you’re using a router with two antennas, you should position one antenna vertically and another horizontally. Then, you can also switch the frequency of your router from 5Ghz to 2.4Ghz. Even though the 5Ghz router supports a faster speed, it’s more susceptible to interference. It cannot penetrate solid objects like walls and doors as well as the 2.4Ghz band does. However, the 2.4Ghz band is better at delivering signals at a greater distance. Also, if your neighbors are also using the 5Ghz band, changing your router’s channel will allow it to operate on a different frequency, clearing up the interference issue.



#3 Challenges in Outdoor Deployments


A mesh network is a great option for outdoor applications to provide data connectivity wirelessly to areas that need access to security cameras, building access controls, etc. You have to make sure the mesh nodes or access points you use can withstand severe weather conditions. Another major problem in outdoor deployments is the power since power is hard to find in remote areas. It won’t pop up every time! Installing a new electrical infrastructure will normally cost a lot because the average power outlet cannot even stand the abnormal current exchange outdoors.

1) Choose a Waterproof Model

One of the common reasons for network failures is water ingress. If you need outdoor coverage for an extensive area, you may also want to choose a system that includes a weatherproof model. Rain can be extremely harmful to your mesh units when moisture gets into the connection between the devices and Ethernet cable. You need to choose a mesh system that features a high IP rating. The IP ratings are used to define how capable a network device can withstand the intrusion and ingress of dust, moisture, chemicals and other foreign particulates. The higher the number, the more protection you’ll get. For example, IP65 stands for complete protection against dust and low-pressure water jest, while IP54 stands for protection against limited dust ingress and water splashes. And the mesh system should be rated as at least IP66 to survive the inclement weather in harsh environments.

2) Power the Outdoor APs/Mesh Nodes with Outdoor PoE Injectors

The outdoor PoE injector is a PoE injector that is housed in a waterproof casing to protect the device from water damage. If properly installed, it can also be buried under the ground The PoE injector offers a practical and economical solution to transfer both power and data to the powered devices (PDs) on a twisted-pair cabling system at a maximum distance of 100 meters, eliminating the need for additional power cabling. Compared with the PoE switch, it offers a greater level of flexibility to install the network device in places where there is an AC outlet available. And the PoE injector can also be an excellent power supply unit in the mesh network setup. Once connected to a power source, it will simultaneously convert the received energy to DC power and send it to the mesh node. Since it shares the same working principle as the majority of PoE devices, it can identify whether the connected device is PoE-compatible or not and decide how much power is required by a power handshake.

Benefits of Using PoE Injectors for Building Mesh Networks

The PoE injector offers a highly reliable power solution to install the mesh nodes. Constant power delivery is guaranteed with an uninterruptible power supply from a centralized point rather than distributed wall outlets. Power conversion from AC to DC lowers the risks of power outages and overloads. And the point-to-point PoE connection reduces the chances of power failures, with a minimal impact on other connected devices. The PoE injector is a money-wise investment. It integrates power conversion (AC-DC power), power management (available only in standard PoE injectors) and power connection all in one small unit. Power consumption can be monitored in real-time with LED indicators. It takes fewer devices to get your PoE system running, reducing job stress. It is a great alternative to PoE switches when fewer devices are installed.

Recommended Product: 60W Outdoor Industrial Waterproof PoE Injector

This 60W outdoor industrial waterproof PoE injector is specially designed for high-power network applications installed in severe weather conditions and harsh environments. It is compliant with the IEEE802.3bt (Type 3), backward compatible with the IEEE802.3af/at, featuring a maximum power supply of up to 60W to help you set up power-hungry devices like high-performance wireless access points in hard-to-reach areas. It supports a wide input voltage range of DC 24~56V, and the inner regulator will boost up the power to the regulated DC 54V, which reduces the chances of voltage drop in long-distance applications. This PoE injector comes with a rugged metal enclosure (IP67-rated waterproof) to protect the device from breakdown and malfunctioning on rainy or snowy days. It also features a vast operating temperature range from –40°C to 75°C to survive the extreme temperatures in a changeable outdoor environment.

#4 Security Issues in the Mesh Networks


The mesh system opens up the network to multiple points of access, and at the same time, it opens up more opportunities for the cyber threats. Each mesh unit represents a possible point of attack. Even though the mesh WiFi system uses industry-standard levels of protection and encryption like the WiFi routers, it doesn’t necessarily come with advanced security features. The unauthorized users can enter the network from multiple points, or simply disrupt the entire mesh WiFi system by removing the mesh nodes. If a computer becomes infected and tunnels into the mesh network, it can pretend to be a trusted member of that network, disrupt the system and block the data flow. So regular updates are important for your devices and software to keep your mesh network as secure as possible and combat cyberattacks. And you can monitor and block some unauthorized traffic by enabling your mesh router’s firewall. And you can disable file sharing and ping requests from basic firewall settings to stop the hackers from stealing your private data.

Seek Professionals For Help…

If the above solutions can’t fix your problem, then you might need to ask a professional for help. Fastcabling is dedicated to providing network solutions for both end-users and SMBs. Our support team is always standing by for pre-sale and after-sale services to offer the most direct and immediate product & tech support. Build your own network now with our advanced network products that are manufactured and tested with industry-recognized standards and the highest level of quality.

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All You Need to Know to Build WiFi 6 Network with Access Points

A faster network is always in demand especially when more bandwidth-demanding apps and devices keep rolling out. Looking to update your wireless network for better performance and less congestion? Wanna a network upgrade? WiFi 6 is ready to boost your home Internet! It’s the next-generation WiFi standard that brings more than just an increase in network speed but a more reliable network connection. Compared with the legacy WiFi standards, WiFi 6 can handle a larger amount of traffic to accommodate the heavy bandwidth requirements in gaming, VR streaming, high-resolution video surveillance and real-time video conferencing.

This ‘new’ WiFi technology may sound unfamiliar to most of you. In fact, it was already made public in 2013 and its popularity started exploding in 2019, but it’s until 2020 that WiFi 6 products made their way into the hands of end-users and average customers. Considering that it’s a rather new technology, many still don’t know how to retrofit their legacy network to a newer one. But is WiFi 6 really worthy? Is it the time to take advantage upgrading to a faster network? And how do we set up a Gigabit-speed network with WiFi 6 products? Well, before we dive into it, let’s take a look at this superb WiFi technology, and then your questions and confusion will be all cleared.

WiFi 6: Better, Faster Network


WiFi 6 promises new changes to every industry, a leap from the Gigabit network to a ‘multi-Gigabit’ network. It expands on the previous generations and guarantees a faster speed and less bandwidth congestion in data networking. But its impacts are more nuanced: it’s a future-proof technology that makes sure your home network never gets out of date or speed a few years down the road. It helps optimize your home Internet without sacrificing the network scale and its performance. Oftentimes, when you connect multiple devices to the router or modem, it’ll soon become overwhelmed by requests from a multitude of network loads, and as a compromise, the transfer speed will gradually slow down considering there’s not enough bandwidth to support all connected devices to work at their optimum.

However, instead of simply boosting the speed for individual devices, WiFi 6 is introduced to mitigate the issues in network congestion and improve the overall performance of your Internet when a bunch of devices is connected. Its superiority may not seem immediately obvious to average users since it doesn’t show any substantial advantages over its WiFi 5 counterpart when hooked up to only one device since the top speed of each device won’t necessarily be boosted in the process. The truth is a WiFi 6 access point connected to a WiFi 6 router is only slightly faster than a WiFi 5 access point connected to a WiFi 5 router. In fact, it’s its ability to let routers communicate with more devices at once and broadcast the data in the same stream that keeps the connections stronger even when dealing with tons of incoming traffic. It’s very useful in a home where one’s on Skyping or Zoom meeting, one’s streaming Netflix and another is playing VR games, with no device’s performance being sacrificed to reimburse the other.

How is WiFi 6 Different?


Undoubtedly, WiFi 6 is a substantial, unprecedented upgrade in the wireless technology and networking standard. It brings faster throughput speed and makes sure each connected device maintains its top speed even in a busier network. It won’t necessarily accelerate the network speed, but please rest assured that each unit will be guaranteed to operate at full capacity or ‘near-optimum’. But as previously mentioned, WiFi 6 is no better than WiFi 5 when connecting to one single device. How does it stand out from all these WiFi standards? Is it only because of its large capacity when compared to the previous generations or is it because of something else? To answer these questions, I’ve summarized some highlights that distinguish WiFi 6 from other wireless standards.

• The first big change is a faster network speed.

Theoretically, its maximum speed can reach up to 9.6 Gbps, while the WiFi 5 can only reach 3.5Gbps, but both of them are only available in theory which you’re unlikely to reach in the real world. And you won’t possibly use it in your daily lives (the typical upload speed for YouTube streaming is merely 50Mbps), but it’ll be of great help in both commercial and industrial applications, in which a multitude of bandwidth-consuming devices are to be connected. And because that maximum is shared across multiple devices, even if they don’t reach their top speeds, they’ll experience severe data rate drops midway. WiFi 6 can account for up to 70% less latency. It can handle a large amount of traffic more efficiently to guarantee faster download and upload speeds for video game streaming.

• WiFi 6 promises a wider channel width.

WiFi can operate freely in both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz ranges to support up to 12 channels in total, eight in the 5Ghz frequency and four in the 2.4Ghz band, while WiFi 5 only sticks to one particular spectrum, i.e. the 5Ghz range. Normally, the 5Ghz channel allows you to aggregate the 20Mhz channel into 40Mhz and 80Mhz channels when needed. But WiFi 6 opens up a brand new world to 160Mhz channel, allowing substantially faster speeds in data networking. But remember 160Mhz can only work in a single network like a home network, when multiple wired or wireless access points (multiple network segments) are connected, you’ll definitely meet some interference when the demands increase. Furthermore, WiFi 6 can automatically switch among 20, 40, 80 and 160Mhz channels as the environment changes.

Should You Upgrade to WiFi 6 Now?


The short answer is definitely yes if your network devices cannot keep up with the increasing demands of a bunch of bandwidth-consuming Internet of Things. And even if your mobiles or other devices are running on WiFi 4 or 5, you’re totally recommended to take a little time to consider investing in more powerful and future-facing WiFi technology. What’s more, WiFi 6 products have become more affordable for average users with enhanced capabilities that go beyond the basic features offered by the previous WiFi standards. It can offer better network performance in crowded areas, battle network congestion more effectively, guarantee more efficient bandwidth sharing and secure a better battery life by putting certain devices’ WiFi to ‘sleep’ when it’s not being used. WiFi 6 also offers you various options: you can choose a standalone WiFi 6 router to which you can directly hook up, wired or wirelessly, once configured or a wireless mesh system (multiple access points will work as a single network) to optimize your home network.

How Do I Bring WiFi 6 Home?


Well, you’ll need to buy new devices. And most importantly, you’ll need a new WiFi 6 router or some WiFi 6 access points if you want full coverage in every corner. It’s important to know that WiFi 6 relies on hardware rather than software for upgrades. If your current networking device doesn’t support any WiFi features, then you’ll need to replace your older devices with newer ones that include the latest version of WiFi. And similarly, if your router isn’t WiFi 6-supported, trust me, no matter how many WiFi 6 devices you connect, you won’t see any progress or benefits. Replacing your gadgets all at once may seem implausible, but investing in a new WiFi 6 router or access point helps make sure that your network is ready for new devices with WiFi 6 sooner than later. But there are a few questions you’ve to figure out before taking another step.


Question 1: Can My Older Devices Work with WiFi 6? Do I Need An Upgrade?

The interoperability between WiFi 6-certified devices and legacy network devices seems to be a big problem for many. But rest assured that WiFi 6 will be 100% backward compatible with older WiFi standards, meaning the WiFi 6 devices will work with your existing WiFi 5 or older-generation WiFi routers with no problem. Similarly, older WiFi devices will be able to connect to WiFi 6 routers while you may not be able to experience WiFi 6 from day one, for the reason that only WiFi 6-certified devices like Apple M1 MacBook Air, Lenovo Yoga c940, Samsung Galaxy S10/S20 series, etc., can enjoy the faster WiFi 6 speeds, and you won’t be able to use any WiFi 6 features without a new WiFi 6 router.

Question 2: 2.4GHz? 5GHz? Which Frequency Should I Use?

If you’re using a dual-band WiFi 6 router or access points, you can connect the devices to either the 2.4Ghz band or 5Ghz band. As previously stated, most WiFi 6 routers can support 160Mhz channels across the 5GHz band, which offers higher data rates than 2.4GHz channels do. If you only need a faster connection speed for gaming and video streaming, then stick to 5Ghz. It’s designed to offer better networking performance at shorter ranges. However, if you want to get the best coverage from a router, to cover a larger area and an extended distance, 2.4Ghz is a clearly better fit. Even though the 5Ghz router supports a faster network speed, it uses a narrower wavelength to broadcast the signals and it’s more susceptible to physical obstructions, which means it cannot penetrate the wall, door, or desk as well as the 2.4Ghz band does. Moreover, 2.4Ghz is better at delivering signals at a greater distance to give your more freedom on where to place the access points. Also, if your neighbors are also using the 5Ghz frequency, changing your WiFi 6 router’s channel will allow it to operate on a different frequency so as to clear up the interference issue.

What Do You Need to Set Up a Fast-Speed WiFi 6 Network?


The introduction of new equipment always entails the potential difficulty of installation. For someone who always has a hard time with electronics, Fastcabling’s here to walk you through all the necessary steps to set up a fast-speed WiFi 6 network with access points. Below are some general guidelines on how to set up an access point and what is necessary for the setup.

And here are the necessities you’ll need to set up the access points:

1) a WiFi 6 router or network switch

2) wireless/wired access points

3) Ethernet cables

4) a power adapter

5) a computer or laptop

Step-by-Step Installation

1) Test Your Signal Strength

Before rushing into the next step, you’ve to decide which areas you need to cover and check if you have any signal strength issues. The data rate is largely determined by signal strength, so once you have a good idea of the area you want to cover, you need to evaluate the signal strength of that area and determine where it might be possible to place the access points. You can test your signal strength with your smartphone: Open the Settings on your phone and go straight to the WiFi settings to see the WiFi strength of your network. Or download an app such as WiFi Analyzer where the signal strength will be shown precisely in dBm to help you pick up the ideal installation site. Anything between -67 and -30 dBm will be enough, but once it goes lower than -70 dBm, its performance will start to degrade.


2) Placement and Setup

First, you’ve to find a good spot for your access points since solid obstructions like walls and doors can impede the WiFi signals, so the more obstructions you have between your access points and router, the weaker the signal will be. Ensuring a clear line of sight between the router and access points is the best way to ensure optimal coverage and minimize interference levels. And remember whether you’re using a wired or wireless access point, they still need to be powered up. So you’d better locate them near the power outlets so you won’t bother to install new AC outlets. Once you find the right place for your router, connect it to the power outlet and switch it on. If you’re using a wireless access point, place it in a location where its wireless signal would have minimum or no interference with other wireless devices within the same network, but if the connection is accomplished with a wired LAN, you have to connect the access points with the WiFi 6 router using Ethernet cables. If the access point can be powered by an adapter, then plug it into an electrical socket directly, but if the device only supports a PoE connection, then you can power it by a PoE injector where power and data can be sent to the connected device simultaneously through the same network cable. But beware the PoE injector must be able to support the maximum speeds of WiFi 6 devices since only when the WiFi access points connect to a 10G Internet, will it begin to deliver.

Recommended Product: 10G PoE+ Midspan Injector

The 10 Gigabit PoE injector supports 1G/2.5G/5G/10 Gigabit Ethernet network speed, ideal for environments where the highest possible data transfer speed is essential. This PoE injector can handle a diverse range of applications including high-speed security cameras, 802.11ac WAPs, ITS-traffic monitoring systems, automated production lines, 5G networks, NBASE-T connectivity, etc. Fastcabling’s 10 Gigabit PoE injectors provide various power budgets (30W and 95W) to satisfy the increasing power consumption of today’s IP devices. Compliant with the IEEE 802.3bt standard, the 10 Gigabit 95W BT PoE Injector ensures that high-power and data-intensive applications can be handled properly with a seamlessly faster network speed.

3) Configuration

To configure your router settings, use an Ethernet cable to connect the router to the computer. With the user name and password set, you can log into the system to configure its settings and features as you like. You can also turn on Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize the upstream and downstream traffic on your network so as to boost the performance of certain services. Moreover, you can enable the guest network to keep all the personal data and files out of unapproved hands. Since most routers have this feature disabled by default, so you need to activate it manually from the wireless settings. If you’re using a dual-band WiFi 6 router, you can also limit the guest network to either the 2.4GHz or the 5GHz band to improve the security levels of your home network and block unauthorized access more effectively.

Simplify Network Installation Outdoors

Installing wireless access points is a great option in outdoor deployments to provide data connectivity wirelessly to areas that need access to security cameras, building access controls, etc. You’ve to make sure the access points you use can withstand severe weather conditions. Another major problem is the power supply since the power outlet is not always available in outdoor environments. Installing a new electrical infrastructure normally costs more because the basic power outlet cannot even stand the abnormal current exchange outdoors.

1) Choose a Waterproof Model

One of the common reasons for network failures is water ingress. If you need outdoor coverage for an extensive area, you may also want to choose a system that includes a weatherproof model. Rain can be extremely harmful to your mesh units when moisture gets into the connection between the devices and Ethernet cable. You need to choose an access point that features a high IP rating. The IP ratings are used to define how capable a network device can withstand the intrusion and ingress of dust, moisture, chemicals and other foreign particulates. The higher the number, the more protection you’ll get. For example, IP65 stands for complete protection against dust and low-pressure water jest, while IP54 stands for protection against limited dust ingress and water splashes. And the access point should be rated as at least IP66 to survive the inclement weather in harsh environments.

2) Power the Outdoor APs with Outdoor PoE Injectors

The outdoor PoE injector is a PoE injector that is housed in a waterproof casing to protect the device from water damage. If properly installed, it can also be buried under the ground The PoE injector offers a practical and economical solution to transfer both power and data to the powered devices (PDs) on a twisted-pair cabling system at a maximum distance of 100 meters, eliminating the need for additional power cabling. Compared with the PoE switch, it offers a greater level of flexibility to install the network device in places where there is an AC outlet available. And the PoE injector can also be an excellent power supply unit in the mesh network setup. Once connected to a power source, it will simultaneously convert the received energy to DC power and send it to the mesh node. Since it shares the same working principle as the majority of PoE devices, it can identify whether the connected device is PoE-compatible or not and decide how much power is required by a power handshake.

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PoE NVR V.S PoE Switch: What’s the Difference?

A security camera is an excellent tool for home protection to deter potential burglars and it also helps cut down security-related costs for monitoring strategic locations. And with the development of IP technology, most of the units today are PoE-supported so they’ll be able to stream and broadcast the video through the Internet. A complete IP security camera system doesn’t only consist of the camera itself, but also the power supply and video recorder. The PoE NVR and PoE switch are the two common ways to set up the IP cameras. Supporting devices like NVRs, PoE switches, and PoE NVRs are equally as important as the IP cameras to manage your surveillance system, but most people have no idea which is better: the PoE NVR or the PoE switch? In this article, we’ll explore the differences between the PoE NVR and the PoE switch and help you choose the best device for your security system.

What is PoE?


Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that allows the power supply equipment (PSE) to transmit power and data simultaneously via a single Ethernet cable to the powered devices (PDs). It’s widely used in both commercial and industrial applications, like security camera systems, building access controls, video conference systems and industrial automation, to provide centralized management of your network. Fewer cables are needed for deployment, thereby eliminating additional power cabling and reducing installation costs. PoE provides a reliable power source from a centralized point rather than a collection of randomly distributed power outlets, which dramatically lowers the chances of power failures.

Is PoE Safe to Your Network?


It largely depends on which type of PoE you’re using. IEEE802.3af/at/bt compliant PoE (aka standard PoE) is inherently safe even when connected to a device that is not designed for PoE use. Before the PSE sends any power to the PDs, it’ll send a low-voltage pulse (2V-10V) to the connected PD to verify it’s PoE-supported. It will periodically repeat this procedure until the compatible device is connected. Then, the PSE will determine how much power the PD requires and send just enough power to that load to guarantee the optimal performance of the connected device. However, passive/non-standard PoE only operates at a pre-defined voltage, so it’s important that you know the voltage of the connected PD, or safety hazards may arise when connected to the wrong voltage.

Advantages of Using PoE in IP Camera

1)Reduced installation costs: PoE reduces the need for installing new electrical infrastructure when installing your IP cameras in hard-to-reach places where there’s no existing power source available. Installing a new AC outlet will cost $185 per unit, and you also need to hire a qualified electrician to walk you through all the necessary steps.

2) Network speed: The PoE technology is always evolving. Now, it can deliver data at 1 Gbps (10/100/1000 Mbps) to power cameras with different bandwidth requirements. And you can prioritize the network traffic to each device to ensure the optimal performance of the cameras.

3) Safety: PoE is a hot-swappable, plug-and-play technology, and you can easily disconnect the IP cameras without taking the PSE offline. Moreover, since PoE utilizes a relatively low voltage, which is harmless to the human body, it’ll not give rise to any safety hazard.

4) Scalability: PoE is a future-proof technology that can be scaled up easily to add more cameras to the network. The legacy network devices can also be upgraded to PoE-enabled units, which greatly simplifies the procedure of building new network connections.

What is a PoE NVR?


The PoE NVR is a video recorder that has a built-in PoE switch. It offers a centralized video control to allow you to store and process the captured footage. Like the PoE switch, the PoE NVR can deliver power and data to the IP cameras at the same time, eliminating the need for installing an external PoE switch. But PoE NVRs available in the market may not possess advanced features like SNMP, PoE control and monitoring, etc. as the PoE switches do. Therefore, the PoE NVR is suitable for installing only four to eight IP cameras at a time, ideal for users with minimal network administration experience and small networks such as start-up businesses and homes. It’s an option to ease the pressure of the current NVR, offer additional security and avoid broadcast storms.

How to Use?


Since the PoE NVR integrates the PoE switch and NVR in the same unit, you can directly connect the IP cameras to this device without using any supporting equipment. The PoE NVR offers comprehensive video storage and management solution for average users to set up the cameras within minutes. It can auto-recognize and power the compatible PoE cameras and store the captured footage for real-time monitoring or scheduled playback with a clearly referenced timeline and calendar on the frame. Follow the instructions below for the setup:

1) Plug the PoE NVR into the mains power to activate the device;

2) Take a short patch cord to connect the PoE NVR to the router for network connection;

3) Then take a long Ethernet cable, connect one end to one of the PoE ports on the NVR and connect another end to the pigtail of the IP camera and check if the indicator is on;

4) Lastly, connect the PoE NVR to a monitor for video display.

What is a PoE Switch?


The PoE switch is a network switch that has PoE features built into it and is able to transmit both power and data through the same network cable to the powered devices within a maximum distance of 100 meters. The PoE switch offers great flexibility for installation in places where no power/network is present, which greatly improves the scalability of network architecture and reduces the costs of the initial investment. The PoE switch is very easy to manage and troubleshoot, making it ultra user-friendly for both residential and commercial applications. In addition, an active PoE switch is also equipped with auto-sensing ports that automatically detect the compatibility of the connected devices to reduce the chances of power outages, operation failures, etc. The PoE switch doesn’t come with any recording feature, so it should work with an NVR for video recording and playback.

How It Works?


The PoE switch normally works in 3 modes: Mode A, Mode B and 4-pair Mode. In Mode A, the PoE switch can deliver power directly to a powered device (PD) through the data pairs (1,2 and 3,6). In other words, the power and data can be delivered on the same twisted pairs (2 pairs). However, the PoE switch that supports Mode B configuration usually uses the spare pairs (4,5 and 7,8) to transport power to the connected device, which means the power and data are transmitted through different wires. And in the 4-pair Mode, all four twisted pairs can be used for power transmission.

How to Use?


Provided that the PoE switch doesn’t support any video recording feature, it should be used together with the NVR to power the PoE cameras via the Ethernet cabling. You can hardwire the PoE switch to the NVR or just connect them under the same network. First, you’ll need to power both devices with AC power to start up the devices. Then, use a short patch cord to connect one of the uplink ports of the switch to one of the LAN ports on the router. Then connect the NVR to the same router to make sure the NVR and PoE switch stay on the same network. Third, use some Ethernet cables to connect the IP cameras to the PoE switch. Lastly, connect the NVR to a monitor or TV via a VGA or HDMI cable and make sure you connect the device to the right input.

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


Power Budget: The PoE NVR only supports quite a limited amount of power since the Most models can only support IEEE802.3af standard with a total power budget of 15W, which is only enough to power 4 fixed IP cameras on the job site, while an infrared PTZ camera would consume at least 40 watts of power to function properly. On the other hand, the PoE switch provides a richer selection of power budgets, varying from 15W to 90W on each PoE port to make sure various types of IP cameras can receive enough power.

Channels: Most PoE NVRs are only built with 4 or 8 PoE interfaces, but the PoE switch provides more PoE ports (4/8/16/32/64) to allow you to install more IP cameras and other network devices at the same switch. And the PoE switch is highly scalable. By connecting the device to another PoE switch, the Ethernet ports can be expanded within minutes. Moreover, compared with the PoE NVR, the NVR normally has 32~64 channels. And you don’t have to connect the cameras directly to the NVR. Just connect the PoE switch and the NVR on the same network, and then the connection is accomplished.

Flexibility: Considering all the IP cameras have to be hardwired to the PoE NVR, so you cannot change a camera’s position once it’s connected for the first time. Like any other PoE solution, the PoE NVR only supports a maximum transmission distance of 100 meters, so you’ll need to install a PoE extender to repeat the signals over long distances for each connection. However, the PoE switch can offer more placement and deployment options in complex environments. It can be deployed basically anywhere and makes it easy to add new network equipment to the existing network.

Redundancy: The PoE switch also features a higher level of redundancy compared to the PoE NVR. Given that the PoE switch and the NVR work separately as an independent unit, if one of them goes down, the other will not get affected, but if the PoE NVR (works as in integrity) breaks down, the whole system will go down as well. Worse still, it often costs more to fix or maintain a PoE NVR, and sometimes you have to replace the whole unit if the circuits are broken. Moreover, for PoE switches that come with two uplink ports, you can also connect a backup NVR to the device to mitigate data loss during network failures.

Management: The PoE NVR is a plug-and-play device without any configuration features, while the managed PoE switch opens up great opportunities for authorized users to prioritize and monitor the traffic to achieve the optimization of network performance. You can regulate the voltage coming out of each port on the switch and allocate more power to power-hungry devices like Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras. Moreover, it can provide security settings that can be configured in accordance with your specifications.

Which is the Better Fit?


The PoE NVR is relatively more affordable than the PoE switch since it integrates the PoE switch and the NVR on the same unit. It features a very straightforward setup with no configuration involved, offering an all-in-one solution for users to DIY their networks. But since most PoE NVRs are only built with a limited number of interfaces, their application is highly limited to household use and small businesses, where only a few devices are to be connected. For people who have little experience on Internet, the PoE NVR is definitely a perfect choice. But the PoE switch is clearly a winner when building a more complicated IP security camera system. It delivers superior performance and unlimited access thanks to its infinite scalability. The PoE switch is more reliable and secure to avoid any direct temper on the device, while the PoE NVR poses a greater threat to cybersecurity. Once the device is taken offline, the whole system will go down together. Therefore, the PoE switch can be deployed for high-density applications and professional-grade networks that call for the highest level of security like enterprise-level businesses. The PoE switch can automatically detect and reboot the unresponsive PDs when they accidentally go offline. In addition, it allows you to monitor and regulate the traffic coming in and out of each PoE port and allocate the power to the connected PDs according to their priorities. So it’s more suitable for commercial and industrial applications where a professional network is required.

Best types of PoE Switches

In this section, we’ll introduce various types of PoE switches to meet your needs in different scenarios.

Outdoor PoE Switch

The outdoor PoE switch is specially designed for use in harsh environments to protect the device from water ingress and lightning strikes in outdoor settings. It’s manufactured and tested to meet the industrial standards for operation even in applications that require the highest level of reliability like surveillance camera systems. The outdoor PoE switch is often available in Din-Rail, wall and pole-mounting options to simplify the setup on the job site. Most outdoor PoE switches often come with a hardened enclosure of IP67 or a rugged design to survive extreme weather conditions, shocks, vibration, etc. Each PoE ported is armed with 6kV surge protection to protect the device from damages caused by lightning strikes, unstable power input and electrical surges.

And Fastcabling also launches an outdoor PoE switch that is equipped with an internal power bank to work with various kinds of external power supplies like AC 100-240V (the voltage range at 802.3at mode is DC 53V), solar power, etc., to guarantee the continued operation of the outdoor PoE switch and connected devices at greater distances. For places where you cannot find an existing power outlet, you can use an outdoor PoE passthrough switch. The PoE passthrough switch can operate as both a powered device (PD) and a power sourcing equipment (PSE) at the same time to receive the power from the PSE and pass it to the connected PDs like IP cameras and wireless access points.

Long Range PoE+ Switch

To provide more comprehensive coverage of the monitoring site, the IP cameras are often installed at remote places away from the control center, and sometimes the distance will be over 100 meters, the tipping point beyond which the PSE will stop working. To overcome the geographic limit of standard PoE, you can use a PoE switch that is equipped with the VLAN function to install the cameras beyond 100 meters. The PoE switches usually come with two modes: Default and CCTV. In the Default mode, each PoE port can communicate with each other and supports a transmission speed of 10/100/1000Mbps within 100m. But if the CCTV mode or VLAN function is enabled, the distance will be extended to 250 meters but as a compromise, the network speed will be reduced to 10Mbps. Another effective way to extend your Ethernet without sacrificing the network speed is to use a long-range PoE switch.

The long-range PoE switch can deliver data and power transmission of up to 500 meters over one Ethernet cable to help you install your IP cameras over long distances. With the long-range PoE switch, you’re able to power the edge devices remotely via ‘one cable’ without deploying multiple PoE extension equipment over long cable runs. It addresses the problem of voltage drop in long-distance deployments. Fastcabling has launched 4-/8-port long-range PoE switches that are compliant with the IEEE 802.3 standards to supply maximum power output of up to 30W on a per-port basis to power high-power devices at the edge.

High-Power PoE Switch

The PTZ cameras built with special features like IR night vision and pan-tilt-zoom normally consume more energy to operate at their full throughput. 40W is average for running a PTZ camera that comes with built-in motors, stabilizers, IR illuminators, etc., but considering the power loss over the long cable run, at least 50 watts of power needs to be available at the PSE. To install such cameras, you’ll need a high-power PoE++ switch. With the latest PoE standards, the PSE can deliver a maximum power of 60/90W to the PDs.

Fastcabling has launched an 8-port 60W visual PoE managed switch that can supply a maximum power of 60W on ports#1-4 (30W max. on ports#5-8). It comes with two Gigabit SFP slots to deliver a fast-speed, low-latency network connection in long-distance applications. The built-in LCD screen exhibits the real-time condition of the PoE switch and allows you to easily manage each individual port. By supporting Layer 3 IPv4 or IPv6 dual-stack and various management functions, this visual PoE++ managed switch helps small businesses to step into the IPv6 networks with the lowest investment. It is loaded with QoS features to prioritize and monitor the traffic coming out of each PoE port and enhance the bandwidth management to improve user experience and ensure better response time, particularly useful for enterprise networks.

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Set up a IP Security Camera System: Essential Components Needed

Security camera system uses live streaming, continuous recording and convenient playback to serve effective property damage prevention and ensure human safety. Sourcing IP cameras to build security and surveillance systems at worksites guarding property or capturing visual proof of crimes has become a common solution nowadays. Basic doubts like how to set up an effective IP security camera system, in other words, most users or installers want to know the key components are needed and choose tips. Today, follow this article, you definitely will get a clear frame and know what to do.

What are IP Security Camera Systems?

IP security camera systems to some extent are not so familiar for those implementing for the first time, and sometimes they may get confused about this concept truly, so let’s take a step back for a moment and go to the more popular phrase, aka CCTV(closed-circuit television) surveillance system. It was the main way of achieving perimeter surveillance for home or business in the past. The IP security camera system can simply be regarded as a digitized and networked version of CCTV. IP security camera systems utilize advanced technology and is deemed to be the highest performing video surveillance system available up to now.

The IP security camera system relies on IP cameras to record video footage, and the captured content is distributed over an IP(Internet Protocol) network. This feature makes it superior over CCTV and brings benefits to meet modern requirements on security camera system, such as:

  • High resolution video footage capturing
  • Remote monitoring
  • Motion detection and tracking
  • Flexible and simple installation
  • No degradation of quality with distance

Essential Components of an IP Security Camera System


The constitute of an IP security camera system mainly divided into four parts, including cameras, video recording, video display devices and networking as well. In the following we will break down the details.

1. Cameras: the Most Critical Component

For the foremost, cameras are supposed to be the most crucial component in the system. Security camera is a more effective way to achieve greater monitoring which by hiring security guards can not replace. Despite the use for surveillance, for business usage, it seems like a 24/7 non-stop working eye on the premises, employees as well people with ill-intentions. And as stated earlier, we know that the IP security camera system makes use of IP cameras to get enhanced video surveillance. IP cameras, aka network cameras, work over Ethernet cable for transmitting power and data, which is unlike CCTV analog cameras mostly using coaxial cable. Ethernet cables like Cat5e/Cat6 permit a higher data rate in transmission. Additionally, encryption is a key advantage of IP technology and this makes it optimal for prevention of hacking behaviors.

It is easy to imagine that when you have the plan to get a security camera system setup, and try to type “security camera” over Google search engine, then there are thousands of and even millions of results presented. At that moment, I guess the majority of beginners lacking basic fundamentals on security cameras will feel overwhelmed and lost as there are so many types of security cameras for your option on the market today. If you’re a bit overwhelmed, we’ve got you covered.

Wired or Wireless?

IP cameras unlike traditional CCTV are only limited to using wired connectivity, they are capable of utilizing LAN, Wi-Fi and even cellular. To help make decisions on choosing the suitable types of cameras, you should consider from your needs and installation conditions, that being said, to figure out which way to send data. Cellular cameras, in most cases, are applied at remote places where it is hard to access LAN or WiFi networks. For business uses, these cameras are needless in most cases.

In a nutshell, the essence is to depend on using wired or wireless connection for video footage streaming. That is to choose wired or wireless cameras. Wired security cameras normally transfer the video footage through wired connections to the recording devices. Whereas wireless cameras transmit data through the air in wireless. Below we are going to help you learn the pros and cons of the two versions of IP security cameras respectively, then you are able to get a conclusion.

Most residential and business owners choose wireless security cameras to monitor their premises because of their location flexibility. Wireless cameras collect and stream data over the wireless network and store data on a cloud server or PC software so that users can view live or recorded video on their smartphones or tablets. Compared with that of their wired counterparts, installing wireless cameras is less labor-intensive and more straightforward (no complicated wiring involved). And they are relatively cheaper with reduced costs in the initial investment (fewer cables and supporting devices required). Considering that the wireless cameras depend entirely on networks for data transmission, they are more susceptible to signal degradation and bandwidth fluctuations, suffering severe image degradation. And sometimes radio frequency interference (RFI) would occur. Worse still, they are more subject to hacking for direct connection to the Internet.

Comparatively speaking, wired security cameras normally transfer the video footage through wired connections to the recording devices. The most advantageous aspect of the wired surveillance system mainly lies in its reliability, for it’s nearly impervious to signal degradation or any type of interference except the damages to cables or the cameras. And in some advanced surveillance systems, if the burglars try to disconnect the cameras by cutting off the cables, the alert system will be automatically activated to deter the unwelcome intruders. Additionally, it will not suffer image degradation caused by bandwidth fluctuations. But the wiring design also puts a damper on its applications in long-distance deployments. And professional installation might be necessary, which increases the costs of investment.

Types of Security Cameras

In general, security cameras can be categorized into various types in line with functions and features, here we roughly highlight three of the most prevalent: bullet cameras, dome cameras and Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras. 

  • Bullet Cameras-Long, cylindrical bullet cameras are probably the most traditional surveillance devices used in surveillance systems. They feature fixed or varifocal lenses designed to target a specific location with a substantial viewing angle. It can accommodate larger lenses compared to other cameras, making it ideal for covering large areas (parking lots, airports, intersections, etc.) and for greater detail. In addition, its eye-catching appearance also serves as an effective visual deterrent for thieves and thieves.
  • Dome Cameras-Dome cameras are more low-profile encapsulated in an inverted dome casing. They can be attached to the ceiling or wall to offer a more discreet way of surveillance. Some dome cameras, albeit stationary, have a tinted encasing to prevent the intruders from knowing which direction the camera is pointing. And they’re vandal-proof as well.
  • PTZ Cameras-The PTZ cameras, as their name implies, are cameras that can pan side-to-side, tilt up and down and zoom in and zoom out via remote control to provide a comprehensive field of view (360°). These types of cameras are intended to be used for applications with the need for a large coverage surveillance. They are high-resolution cameras with great scalability and flexibility. Some support auto tracking functions to realize effective follow-up when people or cars enter the monitoring range.

Can You Mix Different IP Security Cameras?

Some wonder if different types of security cameras can be mixed and matched? The answer is positive. From the above information, we know that cameras vary from function and features, according to your specific surveillance demands, certainly you can choose to implement different security cameras to meet your own requirements exactly.

Even if mixing security cameras from different brands, in most cases, it works, but you’d better make sure you get all the software downloaded before mixing if you plan to control various cameras remotely by mobile devices worldwide. And it’s worth bearing in mind that not all the brands can work compatibility, some brands use their own protocols or technologies, so it is recommended to turn to an expert for help before your final purchase.

What’s more, if you want to mix different types of wireless security cameras, remember to ensure they’re adopting the same frequency band, otherwise signal interference issues may occur.

Choosing Security Cameras: What Features to Look for

Having known the camera types serving your needs mostly, the next step is to pick up security cameras properly. Today, there are a plethora of options available on the market to choose from. Here we will walk you through some essential features that are worth taking into consideration.

High Resolution

Let me start with the resolution of security cameras, which determines the video quality can be captured. Video quality pertaining to security cameras, some kind of gadgets providing visual proof, is one of the most important features. You might be surprised to find that the days of grainy, choppy video footage gone ever, as nowadays majority of modern IP security cameras offer at least 720p, and you will find several common key words like 1080p(≈2MP), 5MP, and the ultra 4K when you are searching on Amazon or in google search engine. The “MP” refers to megapixels, the larger the number before it, generally it means the cameras supply a better or clearer video footage.

I’m not saying that choosing the highest resolution is the best decision and to get the optimal performance. A higher resolution means the cameras require higher bandwidth to stream video footage, in short, this affects the upload speed of video footage. If you make up your mind to use multiple IP security cameras under the same network, you are supposed to make sure if your internet bandwidth can handle it or not. For business security and surveillance, 2MP can meet surveillance needs basically, for those with special applications with demanding needs, you can invest more to use better ones. Only to follow one rule: making clear your specific needs and the acceptable range of budget, it is easy to know the best option to choose from.


Viewing Angle (Field of View)

Viewing angle impacts the monitor range and size of the objects in the range. The phrase “field of view” officially describes viewing angle, which is a significant factor to look into. It defines the area where the camera can see and monitor. Security camera with a narrow field of view, that said, less things are captured and seen, but with more details, as things appear larger. While a wider field of view allows a further monitoring with more objects presented within range saving hassle of reposition or rotation for the cameras.

Read about the specification of the lenses, and it will tell you the degree of viewing angle, we suggest looking for cameras with at least 110°. If you have no idea how much degree is suitable, or if the cameras may apply at different places considering future conditions, some IP security cameras with vari-focal lens permit custom adjustment on camera’s field of view over digital zooming.

Infrared night vision capability of security cameras plays a useful role in guaranteeing a continuous 24/7 effective monitoring for the reason that these kinds of cameras are capable of recording clear images at low light conditions or in complete darkness. As you know, such a situation is the ordinary state when employees are off duty, so using security cameras with infrared night vision function gives an enhanced security protection to business premises. Needless to say that most crimes like theft happen when the time of day turns black under most circumstances.

Many of infrared night vision security cameras can’t supply high quality images with much details like facial detail as it only provides gray-tone images. One key thing to note is that considering the distance of the cameras. Infrared night vision cameras come with its limitation on distance, and as a general rule, the closer the better. If you require better image quality in low night conditions, you need to turn to higher level types for help, and certainly, they are more expensive accordingly. And if your budget allows, security cameras supporting colored night vision should be the best choice.


Motion Detection

Motion detection or motion activated cameras show their full superiority on video recording and  playback. As its name implies, once any movement(motion) is detected by the cameras, namely, when something enters the camera’s monitoring range, the camera will be activated and start recording the footage. In this way, it is a good solution to save the storage space if your security camera system connected to local storage, because a 24/7 recording fill up the storage space soon, and according to the common sense, video footage without motion is useless, so it is no need to record all the time, and this also save a lot of work for video playback if some suspicions or crimes waiting for confirming. To meet different surveillance needs, if you want to use a security camera to monitor people only, then you can look for those that adopt person detection, which works in a different way that captures video only when people enter in the viewing range of security cameras once the person-like shape is detected.


Remote Viewing and Control

The ability to view security cameras remotely sometimes is necessary. We just talked about motion detection features, and IP cameras can do more once you get it connected to the Internet, that being said, they give the users convenience of real-time surveillance with its remote viewing and control over smartphones, PC or other mobile devices when you are not present on site.  These cameras enable you to access all the connected IP cameras on an app or through the web.

What’s more, for a safe and qualified surveillance system, the feature to get user alerts is important. When any motion is detected, you certainly want to receive a notification on your mobile devices, so that you can perceive in real-time and act fast. Some security cameras allow instant email or message alerts to be sent to smartphones.

Some other features can be taken into account, for more information, you can refer to the guide to help learn which cameras you should choose.


2.Video Recording Basics

The recording function is a critical part to a security camera system as it is a reliable method to save camera feed as visual evidence for future use in case an accident or crime occurs. The recording devices used in the surveillance system are the digital video recorders (DVRs) and the network video recorders (NVRs), which capture the footage transmitted from the cameras and store the processed files for later review.

Digital Video Recorders (DVRs)

The DVR system processes the data at the recorder by converting the analog signals to digital signals. The cameras used in the DVR system must be analog cameras, and every camera should be connected directly to the recorder via a coaxial cable for signal conversion and data storage (point-to-point connection).

Network Video Recorders (NVRs)

In the NVR system, on the other hand, the footage is processed at the camera where there is a built-in chipset to deal with the processing and transmits that stream to the recorder, while the recorder is only used for storing and viewing the footage. In this manner, the NVR will only suffer less signal distortion and image degradation during data transmission. And it features high-resolution image quality with improved functionalities like remote control and dual-monitor display (HDMI & VGA).

NVRs vs DVRs

The biggest difference between these two devices is how the data is processed. Also note that DVRs are designed for wired surveillance systems, while NVRs are applicable to both wired and wireless systems.

The recorder should be installed near the outlet. The size and rigidity of these cables is also a major installation challenge. In addition, image quality deteriorates above 90m/300ft, severely limiting its use on long haul missions. Due to its limited capacity, DVR system is more affordable than its counterpart, featuring simple and straightforward operations.

Most NVRs are used in IP cameras over a single Ethernet cable for both data (video and audio signals), as NVRs only work with digital signals when compared to their counterparts. Ethernet cables are easier to handle due to their simpler plug-and-play design compared to coaxial cables. In addition, the NVR itself is more convenient because you don’t have to connect the camera to the recorder. Instead, it should only work on the same wireless network. However, it is relatively more expensive than an equivalent DVR system. Also, not all cameras are compatible with all NVR systems, so you’ll need to buy cameras and recorders from the same manufacturer for a perfect match. In addition, NVR systems suffer from signal loss in congested networks.

Storage-Hard Drive

If you choose DVRs or NVRs to obtain mass local storage, you should consider the vector offering storage space——hard drives. A hard drive is basically a memory box of the NVR, it is important to choose the correct hard drive for your NVRs or cameras. Most situations, a hard drive will be pre-installed. Due to a hard drive having its limit on capacity, for some cases, you may need to add some external hard drive. Think of the period of recording circle, look into the brands and compatibility, try to avoid cheap unbranded hard drives.

3.Video display

The next thing is the media to display video footage. A display unit is a display screen that allows you to watch live or recorded video running on a DVR or NVR that can be connected to your TV or other HDMI-compatible device via the HDMI port. You can also connect the camera directly to your PC to eliminate complicated configuration. Some companies may need to use more specialized display units, and only authorized personnel can view the video.

4.Building the IP Camera Network

IP security cameras cannot be set up without an effective network. Wireless security cameras mostly need a router to get WiFi Internet network. Powerful mesh WiFi may help according to the numbers of cameras and surveillance scale of your property.

While for wired security cameras, a router is not a necessity to the system. Networking devices like NVR, Ethernet switches,  NVR switches(PoE NVR) and something alike are the brains of the system. You need to get a LAN network for cameras and use Ethernet cable like Cat5e, Cat6 to make cabling for data and power transmitting. For commercial applications, you also can think about whether a separate network is needed for the security camera system for security reasons. To meet the requirement, managed network switches are needed.

Simplify Camera Installation with PoE


Advantages of PoE

As previously stated, IP cameras use Ethernet cable to transmit data, but remember both WiFi and wired security cameras require power to work. PoE technology makes the way for camera’s power supply different and more convenient. Because it utilizes Ethernet cable to deliver power, that is, only using one Ethernet cable can deal with the data transmitting and power supplying issues for cameras.

Making use of PoE on security camera systems bring benefits on installation and system stability.

  • No need to run extra power cable separately
  • Installs cameras flexibly with less constrains on power outlets
  • Enables a back-up power source at control centre
  • Safe low voltage reduce hazards and labor investment

What are PoE Security Cameras?

If you have interest in using PoE to get your setup done simply and fast, the key thing, however, is that to pick up PoE cameras if you haven’t made your purchases.

PoE cameras are PoE compliant IP cameras, they can work directly with network devices like PoE switches, there won’t be a problem to receive power and data over a single Ethernet cable. What if you want to implement PoE for your non-PoE IP cameras, you still have a chance by adding devices like PoE injectors and PoE splitters. We have a post to help get more details on how to mix PoE and non-PoE.

How Does a PoE Security Camera System Work?


There are various solutions for building a PoE security camera system in consideration of specific needs and installation environments. We are going to list three common methods roughly.

Method 1: IP Camera and a PoE Switch

Using a PoE switch to connect IP cameras is the same as using the Ethernet switch, but this time, easily plugging into only one Ethernet cable is enough. PoE switches are equipped with more than one port, you can connect multiple cameras under the same network. 4/8/16/24/48 ports PoE switches are commonly available on the market.

Method 2: IP Camera with NVR Switch(PoE NVR)

Seemingly, this is a more convenient way for networking as the PoE NVR makes the work of recording and networking processed over this integrated unit. It only meets applications requiring a small scale surveillance, such as home or office meeting rooms as it only can supply several network ports for connecting security cameras. And since the NVR and PoE switch is built with one unit, that means a higher maintenance cost to some degree.

Method 3: IP Camera with a PoE Injector

Putting out a PoE injector is the most effective practice if you have an existing networking system using Ethernet switches, and maybe you only want to get one or two PoE cameras set up to get enhanced security. PoE injectors are generally equipped with one PoE output port, and to a certain extent, this also shows higher stability on system operation.

If you have interest to know deeply about building a PoE security camera system, we suggest you read this comprehensive guide.

Other Things Should Pay Attention to


  • Attach importance to privacy violations. Video surveillance has always been a controversial topic looming over our heads when it comes to privacy issues, and thereby it is essential to know the regulations in your state or country before implementing the cameras because privacy violations caused by unauthorized or improper placements will eventually land you in court.
  • Remember to make provisions for the camera installation environment. If installing at places under harsh conditions, like outdoors, choose the outdoor type security cameras to resist physical impacts like rain, dust, surges and so on.
  • Notice distance limitations and save time. Undoubtedly, wireless cameras get short installation range due to the inherent limits on WiFi technology. Although wired cameras can reach longer distances, it still has its limit because of signal and data loss in line. Ethernet cable can only deliver PoE at a maximum of 100 meters(328ft), therefore, there should be some extension devices, like PoE extenders to get PoE extended. Read this post, and get more information about installing IP cameras beyond 100 meters.
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How to Extend WiFi Range with Your Existing Network

In this highly connected world of today, Internet has become an indispensable part of our society. It opens up a new world for people around the world. It’s shaped and revolutionized every aspect of our society by allowing its users to stay connected at all hours. It opens access to previously inaccessible things, brings huge economic benefits to people around the globe and helps all humanity thrive and prosper. The permeance of WiFi into our lives has shaped the way we see the world and it brings everything to our fingertips. It makes our life much simpler, quicker and more enjoyable: with just a tap on your smartphone, you can get access to information at all times within seconds.

Given its important role in communication, data networking and public Internet service, WiFi technology can mean a difference between prosperity and stagnation in a constantly evolving industry. One of the most important things to be addressed when installing a wireless network is your WiFi range. Slow speeds, dead zones and dropped connections can bring devastating outcomes to your business by ruining your Zoom calls, interrupting your video conferences, etc. And for somebody who has to work or study from home during the lockdown, a weak WiFi connection could greatly jeopardize his or her efficiency and productivity. And if you have a spacious home or property that your WiFi network cannot fully cover or it doesn’t reach the places you want it to, such as driveways, garages and backyards, then you may need to find some ways to extend your WiFi range and improve your network performance.

“Struggling to get WiFi throughout your home? Don’t worry! There are a few ways to solve this problem and ensure you get strong WiFi signals in all corners of your home.”

How Far can a WiFi Signal Travel?


The wireless network normally uses radio waves for data networking, and the WiFi signal gradually degrades as it travels further from its source, which is known as path loss. So this is why you’ll get no signal at all in some parts of the house. Knowing your WiFi range is crucial in network expansion since depending on which frequency you’re using, the network range could vary from brand to brand. A WiFi router that runs on 2.4Ghz can reach up to 45 meters indoors (obstructions like walls will block the signals) and 90 meters outdoors (in a clear line of sight), while a router that operates on 5Ghz usually has a shorter effective range but a faster network speed, because according to the 802.11 protocol, the higher the data rate, the shorter distance covered. The newer 802.3ac router that supports both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz can reach a greater distance to support signal transmission up to 180 meters. But still, this isn’t enough for complete WiFi coverage throughout your home.

Why Do You Need to Extend the WiFi Range?


A high-speed and fully-carpeted WiFi network has become a necessity in today’s society, while a poorly-planned wireless network can turn out to be a nightmare for both residential and commercial applications. Setting up a network without thorough consideration will result in poor coverage and inadequate signals, which can negatively impact your users, so it’s imperative that you should extend your WiFi range farther away. And when you’re expanding your offices to house more employees, to accommodate the influx of new users and devices, the network must be expanded to make sure everyone can get quick access to the Internet and enjoy instant information exchange in the workplace.

Challenges when extending the WiFi range: Struggling with poor WiFi range? You’re not alone. Despite the steady development of WiFi technology, there are still many obstacles that may hinder the performance of your wireless network. When wireless signals pass through physical obstructions like walls, doors, pipes, etc., some of them will bounce off the surfaces of solid objects and some will be absorbed, so the signals will be severely compromised before reaching the destination. And in outdoor applications, they have to pass through multiple trees and foliage which will greatly reduce their signal strength, and bad weather can also wreak havoc on even the most solid wireless signals. And places with irregular floor plans and unusual layouts will also weaken the wireless connection significantly.

Tips on Extending Your WiFi Range


Installing new wall jackets and network cables in an existing building could be expensive, but there are plenty of ways to extend your WiFi range outside, from floors to floors and across the buildings without having to spend a large fortune. To enlarge your WiFi coverage in a more budget-friendly way and without complicated modifications, you can utilize your existing network directly to boost the WiFi signals to travel farther.

Tip #1: Money-Wise Network Upgrade with Your WiFi Router


Utilizing your existing network by simply by modifying your WiFi router is a budget-friendly way to extend your WiFi coverage to hard-to-reach rooms and places.

1) Relocate your WiFi router

As previously mentioned, the regular WiFi router can only support a transmission range of 45 meters indoors and 90 meters outdoors. While it may seem it’s enough to cover small and medium-sized houses, the obstacles and other sorts of interference inside the house will cause the signals to degrade and result in poor coverage. So where you place your router can have a dramatic impact on your network performance. Moving your router to a more centralized location that is free from physical obstructions like walls and doors will be of great help to broadcast the signals. And if you hope your router delivers its true potential signal ranges, don’t just place it near your computer or other network devices. Place it high with a clear line of sight to cover a larger space and avoid any barriers.


2) Adjust your router antenna

Another simple way to extend your WiFi range is to adjust your router antenna. Most people are caught in the stereotyping thinking that pointing the antennas up straight is the best way, but it isn’t always the case. Here’s how to position router antennas for the best performance: a. if you’re using a router with two antennas and only want coverage for one floor, then you should point them perpendicular, i.e. position one antenna vertically and another horizontally; b. for coverage on more than one floor, the WiFi antennas should be pointed at different angles; c. if your router has three antennas, point the middle one straight up and the other two at a 45-degree angle; d. If there are four antennas, position two of them straight up and the rest of them at 45-degree angles in opposite directions.


3) Switch router frequencies from 5Ghz to 2.4Ghz

Changing your WiFi router’s channel could generally make a difference. If you want to get the best coverage from a router, you should choose 2.4Ghz over 5Ghz. Even though the 5Ghz router supports a faster network speed, it uses a narrower wavelength to broadcast the signals and it’s more susceptible to physical obstructions, which means it cannot penetrate the wall, door, or desk as well as the 2.4Ghz band does. Moreover, 2.4Ghz is better at delivering signals at a greater distance Also, if your neighbors are also using the 5Ghz band, changing your router’s channel will allow it to operate on a different frequency, clearing up the interference issue.


4) Use a spare router to extend the WiFi range

Another inexpensive way to boost the range of your wireless signal is to use a spare router that is no longer in use and connect it to your main router, but it’s not without its complexities and limitations. To make these two routers work together, you’ll need to configure one router to ‘Master’ and the other to ‘Slave’. First, you need to determine the IP address and Subnet Mask of the ‘Master’ router by configuring the router settings on the web browser. Then, you need to reset the second router to default factory settings by hard-pressing the reset button for 10 seconds. Next, connect the ‘Slave’ router to your computer using an Ethernet cable. Once you log into the system, you need to change the wireless channel, wireless settings and security modes to sync with those in the ‘Master’ router, but you can use a different SSID name to distinguish it from another router. Lastly, you have to connect these two routers with the Ethernet cable. The main drawback of this approach is that you have to the second router must be hardwired to the main router through cabling, while it isn’t always possible to run new cables in your house. Moreover, you’ll have to make sure the main router has a spare Ethernet port to connect to the ‘Slave’ router, or this approach will not work.


Tip#2: Use Wireless Access Points in Multi-Floor Buildings


Even if you’ve installed a robust WiFi router in your home, a single unit may not be able to provide enough coverage to all rooms, but by utilizing a wireless access point, you can ensure that the WiFi signals are available in every corner.

What is the Wireless Access Point?

Considering the challenge of delivering seamless WiFi coverage to the typical home or floor, the wireless access point was developed to allow you a greater range of coverage indoors and outdoors of up to 100-300 meters. To use a wireless access point, you need to have multiple spare Ethernet ports available on the wall where the unit can plug into in order to feed back into your main home network, or you’ll have to connect it to the main router using the Cat5 cable. So if you have a few dead zones in your house and your house happens to have some unused Ethernet ports left, It functions very similarly to the WiFi extenders, even though it doesn’t simply pick up the wireless signals and resend them to the network devices.

Powerline Adapters

Powerline adapters are a type of wireless access point that allows you to transmit the signals through the standard power outlets in your home. It’s a cost-effective way if you want to extend WiFi coverage to one particular room like the garage to create a new WiFi hotspot. It provides instant internet access to hard-to-reach rooms as long as you have a power outlet available on the wall. Simply plug one powerline adapter into a power outlet near your router and connect it to the router using a short patch cord. Then plug the second powerline adapter that is built with the WiFi feature into a power outlet in the other room such as a garage or a loft. As long as these two powerline adapters stay in the same building where the router locates. Most of the time, the powerline adapter shares the same speed as Ethernet. But that will depend on how your building is constructed. If you live in a building that has a very complex electrical layout, then you could possibly suffer a slower network speed.

A More Reliable Option: Mesh WiFi

If running cable isn’t possible, there is a very cost-effective option that can work under the right circumstances. Mesh WiFi is an integrated network system that consists of the main router that directly connects to your modem and two or three mesh nodes that act as satellites to bring seamless connectivity to every corner. It can be easily thought of as a series of access points spread throughout your home. Unlike the traditional WiFi routers, they all belong to a single wireless network and share the same SSID and password, so you can easily access one of these wireless stations. The mesh WiFi is specially designed for places that suffer weak or incomplete WiFi coverage. It is highly scalable and customizable. You can purchase more mesh nodes to extend the WiFi range if the initial set isn’t enough to cover the whole place. Each mesh mode can communicate with the main router and talk to each other directly, and it only needs an electrical hook-up to function properly. But some mesh modes can only accept PoE power, you should use the PoE injector to power them. Though the installation process of each mesh system may differ, they all follow the general procedure: 1) connect the main node to the router with an Ethernet cable and power them up; 2) download the app on your phone and log into your account; 3) enter the serial number of the main node; 4) add the satellite nodes one at a time; 5) After each node is added, go to each room it’s located to test if it’s successfully connected.



Tip#3: Optimize WiFi Connection with Outdoor Network Bridges


If you want to extend your WiFi range outdoors over long distances, investing in a good pair of wireless network bridges is definitely a good choice since the average WiFi router and the wireless access point can only support a limited wireless transmission range.

What is the Wireless Network Bridge?

Wireless bridging is a technology developed to extend the network connectivity via infrared or microwave transmission between physically isolated locations where cable connection is not viable. The wireless network bridge joins different segments of networks together over a wireless channel by enabling two access points to connect over long distances using their radios. By deploying the wireless network bridge, you can cover a larger physical area with higher throughput to build a point-to-point (P2P) or point-to-multipoint (P2MP) connection between cross-building offices, neighboring districts, and nearby towns, etc.

Wireless bridges are very similar to access points but they are designed to serve different purposes. The central difference between the two devices is their functionality. The wireless bridge is designed to integrate two divided networks through a radio link to facilitate data sharing, while the access point connects multiple wireless devices with a router to provide Internet access to devices that are out of the transmission range of the router. Simply put, the access point acts as the extender of a WiFi network, and some wireless APs can even provide the functionality of the wireless bridges to connect two network clusters.

How It Works?

The wireless bridge is completed by a pair of access points and the communication between two devices is very bidirectional. They don’t simply work like an ‘emitter+receiver’ unit in which one access point unilaterally broadcasts the radio signals to another. When the bridging is working, the master AP located in Building A will pick up the packets from the wired port (the one connected to the main network) and transfer them to the other AP, so that the client AP in Building B can connect to the network on Building A to create a dual-radio network portal over the wireless bridge. In the network bridging, the traffic is forwarded at Layer 2 to prevent any direct tempering on the devices and fend off cyberattacks. Moreover, the network bridge will read both source and destination MAC addresses and only forward packets to this exclusive link to avoid unnecessary data flows and reduce bandwidth waste.

Recommended Product: 5GHz 802.11ac Outdoor Wireless Bridge

This wireless bridge is an excellent solution to extend WiFi network coverage. It’s designed to work with 5Ghz networks and comes with a superb network speed of 900Mbps and excellent coverage of up to 3km to help set up multiple IP cameras over long distances. Similarly, this device is equipped with a Gigabit PoE port and 1*10/100Mbps LAN port. It offers a clean and smooth connection Since it’s made for outdoor applications, this entire unit is weather-sealed, covered in a casing of IP65 ratings, ideal for applications in outdoor and harsh environments like parking lots, highways, and oil pipelines, or other combustible places. This wireless network bridge supports encryption modes like WEP, WPA, TKIP/AES and IEEE802.1x.) and has an invisible SSID to avoid any direct tempering on the device.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

The wireless network bridges normally work under two topologies: point to point (P2P) and point to multi-point (P2MP). In the first scenario, the bridge simply connects the networks in two separate locations and is normally used in cross-building applications. While the P2MP aims to connect multiple networks and mix them into the same network. But in network bridging, the connection is largely point-to-point.

Where to Install the Wireless Bridge?

A clear line of sight (the path between two access points) is important for a wireless bridge to work at its full throughput, which is especially true for less urban areas, or the signals would radically deteriorate as they’re passing through trees, building, etc. Make sure the APs are installed as high as possible with as much of a clear line of sight between the two units as possible. You can install them on the rooftop or mounted on a tower and pole.


How to Install the Wireless Network Bridge?

To set up the wireless network bridge, you will need a router, a pair of wireless APs, a PoE injector, two power adapters and some Ethernet cables. In this case, we’ll take the 450Mbps Outdoor Wireless CPE as an example. The wireless bridge is equipped with a Gigabit PoE port and a Fast Ethernet wired interface, so you can set up at least 2 IP cameras at once. It comes with the next-generation WiFi standard of 802.11ac and runs flawlessly at 450Mbps at an extended range of 1km. Now, follow the instructions below to complete the setup.

1)First, use an Ethernet cable to connect one of the LAN ports on the router to the Gigabit PoE/LAN port of the wireless network bridge. Plug the power adapter into the wall outlet and plug it into the network bridge to activate the device. When the device is online, the digital channel (1-8) will display at the rear. Power another network bridge and make sure the two wireless bridges are aligned on the same level and face-to-face.

2)Then, set up the master AP and slave AP. Switch ‘master’ to ‘slave’ on the slave AP and synchronize the channel on both devices to make sure the ‘master’ and ‘slave’ APs stay on the same channel. And you can alter the configuration by pressing the reset button. Then check the signal indicators on the wireless bridge to ensure the devices are successfully matched.

3)Take another Ethernet cable to connect the LAN port of the ‘slave’ AP to the LAN port of the PoE injector. Power the injector with the DC12V power adapter, and connect it with the IP camera with a third Ethernet cable. If you want to install another IP camera, you can connect it directly to the ‘slave’ AP and power it with an external power supply.

How to Power the Outdoor Network Bridge?

Powering network devices in remote places is challenging, especially when your device is installed outdoors. But we’ve concluded three ways to help you power the wireless network bridge in hard-to-reach areas: using a PoE injector or installing a solar power system.

1) PoE Injector

And for some wireless APs that are naturally built with a PoE interface, you might as well use a PoE injector to power the client AP. By using the PoE injector, constant power delivery is guaranteed with an uninterruptible power supply and the conversion from AC to DC power also lowers the risks of power outages/overloads and power failures. Once connected to a power source, the PoE injector will simultaneously convert the received energy to DC power and send it to the wireless bridge. And it will initiate a power handshake procedure to identify if the connected device is PoE-compatible and decide how much power is required. And if the power handshake fails for any reason, then the power will be immediately cut off to ensure the safe operation in outdoor applications.

2) Solar Power System

Since power outlets are often unavailable in hard-to-reach areas, it would be too impractical and expensive to run a traditional wired power source to the edge devices, but the solar power system allows you to install the wireless bridge and IP camera in remote locations, extremely helpful for applications such as oil and gas, construction sites, parking lots, remote gates and ranches. First of all, you have to calculate your power load. You need to figure out how much energy your solar panel can produce, and you need to know the amount of peak sunlight hours your location gets. Place the solar panel in a location where it will not be shaded for shading of even a small part of the panel can result in low power generation. And you’ll need a solar charge controller to control the amount of charge coming in and out of the battery and the battery will receive the power from the controller and supply it to the connected electrical loads. The setup is very straightforward when you’re using our 10A Solar Charge Controller. First, mount the solar panel on the roof and use a power cord to connect the solar panel to the controller. Use another power cord to connect the battery to the controller. Finally, connect the edge device to the controller, and then the whole system is completed.

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4 Effective Ways to Protect Outdoor Security Cameras from Lightning

IP security cameras are increasingly used in both residential and commercial applications for the protection of people, assets, facilities and other places of interest. They have become a critical part of today’s society to support public safety, monitor traffic, settle disputes and combat criminals. And they are often installed outdoors to cover the blind spots of your property. Today’s video surveillance systems are mainly run on Ethernet cabling where data and DC power can be transmitted through the same network cable to eliminate additional power cabling on the job site. But one of the hazards when deploying IP cameras outdoors is the lightning strike. Lightning can damage your devices, disrupt signal transmission and leave your properties exposed to intruders.

Lightning poses great threats to your security systems


Lightning spike is a serious concern when deploying network devices outdoors, especially for mission-critical applications, i.e. surveillance camera systems. Only in very few cases will the outdoor cameras get directly hit by lightning. It’s the power surges induced from a nearby lightning strike that Sometimes, thunderstorms will only cause the cameras to reboot, but in severe cases, accidents like fire and electrical shocks might happen. Even though electrical surges are not common and are largely environmentally impacted, it’s possible that lightning strikes will induce on data lines, damage connected devices, increase network downtime and cause you to lose important data. Worse still, even the IP security cameras that are installed indoors won’t be completely safe since electromagnetic waves traveled from the lightning can still induce any power, video or data lines and ruin any connected devices along the path before they find an exit for grounding.



Why Do Security Cameras Attract Lightning?


Usually, security cameras are mounted at a height of 10~50 meters and usually on a metal structure. Metal is a highly conductive material that carries a high risk of getting struck by lightning. Even with a lightning rod on the metal pole, lightning will still damage the outdoor cameras and create additional maintenance costs and increased network downtime. Lightning arrester will attract the lightning, collect the surges on itself and disperse them to the ground through the shortest and fastest way. And the camera pole is exactly the perfect carrier for grounding. When the lightning flows through this channel, it’ll damage the camera mounted on the pole and break down the connection between the surveillance units and the data center.



Best Practices to Save Your Security Cameras from Lighting


Here, we’ve introduced 4 solutions to protect your outdoor cameras from power surges.

Solution 1: Proper Mounting and Grounding

An improper installed security camera will end up damaged in a thunderstorm. Oftentimes, outdoor cameras are installed in the driveway, the corner of buildings and open areas like parking lots that can easily get hit by lightning. So the position where you install the cameras matters a lot to ensure the safety of your appliances and cabling. It would be best if you refrain from placing it high and keep it away from any sorts of conductive materials that are meant to attract the lightning, like lightning rods. What’s more, avoid mounting the cameras directly to the metal pole. As previously mentioned, the camera pole is a great channel for lightning to discharge the surges to the ground.

In addition, setting up a proper grounding is also crucial to protecting the IP cameras from lightning strikes. It’s one of the best ways to prevent power surges caused by thunderstorms from tempering the data lines. If your security camera is installed on a non-metal structure, you should ground it using a copper strap that runs from the camera all the way to the grounding base. But the problem is not every camera comes with a grounding point that you can attach it to the grounding system. In such cases, to lower the risk of a power surge reaching the NVR and PoE/network switch through the Ethernet cables, you have to ground every device connected on the same line separately.

Solution 2: Use Lightning-rated Units

Another solution to protect your cameras from lightning is to invest in a high-quality camera, a trusted brand. The cheaper cameras are often manufactured with low-quality materials and offer no protection against power surges. The lightning-rated ones will be more expensive, but they’re more resilient and robust. Choose an IP66-rated camera for the best since it can withstand most challenges in the outdoor environment. Moreover, you should use a PoE switch that supports carrier-grade surge protection (6kV) on each interface to mitigate the negative effects of abnormal voltage fluctuations to the full extent. But please note even though the device is lightning-rated, we still suggest installing lightning rods or arresters on the mounting point and ground the whole thing. And since the NVR is also vulnerable to heavy lightning, to avoid important data loss in the network crash and power failure, it’s highly recommended to employ an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to ensure the ongoing operation of the video recorder.


Solution 3: Cabling Matters A Lot

When deploying network devices outdoors, shielded cables are used to protect power and data transmission from degradation caused by EMI when the lightning strikes. Compared with the unshielded ones which are designed for indoor use, the shielded cables can convey lightning energy to the ground with a minimal risk of side flashing along the path to protect both personnel and sensitive equipment from the devastating risks of a lightning strike. They will not easily deteriorate as their counterparts do. But when using the shielded cable, you have to ground the cable, or the current surges will not be discharged to the ground. And it’s highly recommended to use direct burial cables that can be buried under the ground with conduits to eliminate direct contacts with lightning. Another option is to deploy the fiber optic cables. Provided that the fiber cables are insulators and they don’t carry any electricity along the cable, which makes them immune to lightning and electromagnetic interference. They are designed for better-quality data transmission and they’re also resilient to other weather conditions, ideal for deployment in harsh environments.

Solution 4: Installing PoE Surge Protectors

The best way to protect your cameras from power surges is using a surge protector to regulate abnormal electrical currents and mitigate over-voltages. The surge protector can promptly recognize abnormal rises in surges and redirect the extra currents to the grounding wire to protect your security cameras and PoE switch from damages.

What is a Surge Protector?

A surge protector, also known as the surge suppressor, is an electrical device used to regulate abnormal electrical currents and mitigate over-voltages. It’s normally used to protect both the communication and power lines of the PoE device so as to guarantee a safe and reliable network connection in places where lightning is often present. By deploying a PoE surge protector, you can prevent damages to the insulation and dielectrics of PDs to the maximum. If the voltage happens to rise above the acceptable level or the safe threshold, it will redirect the extra electricity to the grounding wire and discharge the surges to the ground at a distance from the installation site. And in this way, uptime is preserved. For safe outdoor applications, a qualified surge protector not only needs to withstand potential electrical surges, but also holds up against the elements, including rain, dust, snow, ice, and humidity.

The Working Principle of Surge Protectors

A power surge is a sudden increase in voltage that is above the designated level in the flow of electricity. Since a majority of PoE and network devices operate within a certain current and voltage ratings, excess current or voltage can damage internal components. Installing surge protectors is an important preventive measure to protect your IP cameras from over-voltages. Physically, a surge protector mainly has two functions: one is to keep the surge voltage within a safe threshold so that the dielectric strength of the cameras will not be exceeded; another is to discharge the excessive currents and surges to the ground. And they’re often installed in parallel to the equipment. Lightning will travel in either direction to search for the quickest pathway for grounding. Therefore, in a complete Ethernet cable run, at least 2 surge protectors need to be installed to protect the key network devices like PoE switches, routers, etc. The first surge protector should be installed near the PoE switch, while the second protector should be set up near the outdoor PoE device.

Why is Surge Protector Necessary in Long-Range Deployments?

We’ve been in some situations where you have to install the IP cameras using long runs of underground network cable. Lighting can enter your network through power lines, coaxial cables and Ethernet cables. When a lighting strikes, the surges can enter the network cable at any point and travel in either direction to inflict some major damages on the PoE devices connected to the same Ethernet LAN. Long copper cable runs will increase the chances of lighting induction on the power lines since electricity will travel along a path that is least resistant to the ground, while the copper cable is exactly a nice candidate for lightning to use as a path for grounding. Furthermore, over the long cable runs, there’ll be more network devices connected on the same path, and the risks will increase accordingly. Moreover, maintenance will be extremely expensive, so it’s more cost-effective to invest in protection against power surges in advance. The best way to protect your IP cameras from lightning surges is to deploy a surge protector. An additional issue is also where an Ethernet system has been upgraded to be PoE-enabled by using a PoE injector or PoE splitter which may add vulnerability to surge damage to an existing network.

How to Choose a Surge Protector?

Always choose one with the appropriate surge protection rating. The protection rating of the surge protector is foremost and most important thing you should consider. The higher the rating, the more protection you’ll get.

Indoor vs Outdoor Surge Protector

The indoor PoE surge protector is designed for use in a climate-controlled environment like an office or control center to protect the sensitive security equipment like network switch, DVR, NVR, etc. However, the outdoor surge protector shows superb resistance to extreme temperatures (-40℃~85℃), vibrations, electrical noises, chemicals and combustible environments, etc., ideal for use in outdoor surveillance systems, factory automation, oil and mining and public transportation. The outdoor surge protector is specially designed for harsh environments with weatherproofing and corrosion protection. Normally, it is covered in a rugged protective casing (IP68 waterproof) to withstand the severe weather conditions in outdoor settings and prolong the life of the device. Though the surge protector is designed to minimize power surges, there is always a chance of danger of electrocution if the device is exposed to lightning directly or submerged in water. So you should choose the location carefully.


Standalone vs Chassis-based

The stand-alone surge protector provides a space-saving solution to protect the security cameras from surges and electrostatic discharge. It gives you more flexibility and freedom in actual deployments. The PoE surge protector is also a plug-and-play device that can be easily disconnect and relocate when needed. The stand-alone surge protector is often deployed outdoors since the security cameras are normally installed in different locations at ease. It’s often deployed in situations where only a few devices needs to be protected, but every unit has to be grounded separately. On the other hand, the chassis-based surge protectors is designed for high-density networks in enterprises, data centers and campuses to manage multiple devices at a time. It provides a centralized management to ground several protectors once and for all.

How to install a surge protector?

The devastating effects of lightning surges impose a negative impact on mission-critical applications in the factories, SMBs and households, and therefor to safeguard your PoE system, you should install the surge protectors correctly. There are generally two steps: 1) install the surge protectors and 2) set up the grounding.

1. Installing the surge protectors

To set up a hazard-free communication and power line, you’re supposed to install the surge protectors on both ends. You’ll need a pair of indoor and outdoor surge protectors to protect the outdoor PoE devices from malfunction and breakdown caused by lightning strikes. Protected in an IP68-rated rugged metal housing, Fastcabling’s Waterproof Outdoor PoE Surge Protector is direct-burial, featuring 16kV high surge protection and a wide working temperature of -40℃to 85℃. Compliant with IEEE 802.3af/at standard, this surge protector can work collaboratively with standard PoE devices. It supports both wall and pole-mounting options, which offers greater flexibility for outdoor applications.

Install the indoor surge protector near a point where the cable from the outside PoE device (a PoE injector, PoE splitter or IP camera) connects to the PoE switch but away from any combustible elements to guard the indoor equipment and personnel against dangers. Simply run an Ethernet cable from the PoE switch to the ‘Data In’ of the indoor surge protector. Then a longer Ethernet cable will be needed to connect the two surge protectors (‘Data Out’ of the indoor surge protector to ‘Data In’ of the outdoor surge protector). Lastly, use another Ethernet cable to connect the outdoor device to ‘Data Out’ of the outdoor surge protector.

2. Setting up the grounding

Grounding the surge protector is extremely important, otherwise, the surge protector will not work. The grounding system aims to distribute and discharge the captured currents and surges to the ground. To ground your surge protector, a grounding wire is needed. Normally, the thick the wire, the better the performance will be (a 10 or 12-gauge copper wire will be enough). Attach the grounding wire to the ground connector of the surge protectors, use a set of pliers to crimp the wire on the connector firmly, and attach the other end of the wire to a grounding point. When installing the grounding wire, avoid creating any sharp bends.

If you wanna install multiple surge protectors, it’s recommended to use a rack-mounting shelf for better arrangement and management. It can accommodate up to 10*Din-Rail PoE surge protectors or indoor surge protectors in only 1U of rack space, and can also be used with any standard Din-rail mounted devices such as media converters and power strips. It can easily fit into any standard 19″ rack.

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Troubleshooting: How to Protect Security Cameras from Water Damage

Security cameras have become a crucial part of today’s society for both indoor and outdoor video surveillance. But when the cameras are installed outdoors, they should be able to withstand harsh conditions in outdoor deployments, such as dirt, wind, rain, lightning strikes and extreme temperatures, to continue working properly. But the problem is many security cameras are not designed to survive such inclement weather, so additional protection is highly required for outdoor deployment. An improperly installed security camera will lead to unexpected problems and transmission failures, which is extremely devastating for mission-critical applications.

One of the common reasons for camera failures is water ingress. Rain can be extremely harmful to your surveillance system when moisture gets into the connection between the camera and Ethernet cable. But don’t worry. In this blog, we’ll introduce several methods to help you protect these valuable devices from water damage. Protecting your delicate surveillance equipment isn’t that complicated and doesn’t cost that much. Knowing how to weatherproof your IP cameras is crucial for outdoor deployments, especially when you live in an area prone to sudden weather changes and occasional heavy downpours. But before we dive right in, let’s take a look at the waterproof standard deployed in outdoor applications.

Waterproof Standard (Ingress Protection)


The waterproof standard is often governed by Ingress protection (IP) ratings. IP ratings are used to define how capable a network device or equipment can withstand the intrusion and ingress of dust, moisture, chemicals and other foreign particulates. The IP denotation is usually composed of two numerals: the first number indicates the degree of protection against the ingress of solid objects (ranging from 1 to 6), while the second number specifies the degree of protection against various forms of moisture (ranging from 1 to 8). The higher the number, the more protection you’ll get. For example, IP65 stands for complete protection against dust and low-pressure water jest, while IP54 stands for protection against limited dust ingress and water splashes. And for outdoor deployments, the cameras should be rated as IP66~IP68 to survive the inclement weather in harsh environments.


How to Install IP Cameras for Qualified Waterproof?


Cameras installed in harsh environments often face numerous environmental hazards, like water submersion, UV radiation and corrosion, ingress from dust, debris and other airborne particles, etc. Therefore, prompt actions should be taken to protect your cameras from water damage and other hazards. Now, follow the instructions below to set up a waterproof security camera system to keep you and your property safe, giving you added peace of mind.

Step 1: Camera Care Matters A Lot


1) Use Cameras Designed for Outdoor Use

The simplest and most effective way is to use a waterproof security camera. Undoubtedly, outdoor cameras are more robust and sustainable. Indoor cameras offer no protection against wind, rain, heat, etc., because they are often installed in climate-controlled locations where the temperature is kept within a tolerable range with a comprehensive thermal control system to automatically store and dissipate heat. Many plausible ways have been tried to implement indoor cameras in harsh environments but none of them show substantial progress. Therefore, upgrading to a camera that is specifically designed for outdoor use will offer better protection and is more likely to withstand the severe weather conditions outdoors.

Recommended Model: 5MP IR PoE+ Speed Dome IP Camera

Protected in an IP66-rated vandal-proof enclosure, this IR PTZ camera features 5MP UHD at 25fps and 20x optical zooming. It can operate safely in any imaginable environment under a wider temperature range of -35°C to 55°C. This security camera can move between pre-set positions and zoom in and out automatically in response to detected events. This PTZ camera also supports a time-based auto-span to monitor pre-defined areas. The 5MP IR PoE+ speed dome IP camera is equipped with two sets of adaptive illuminators as well as a removable IR cut filter to adjust the lighting between day and night. When the night falls, the infrared illuminators will automatically switch on, light up the monitored site to 300 meters away, and generate B&W images at 2592*1944 pixels.

2) Protect Your Cameras with Proper Installations

Even though you’re using an outdoor camera, moisture can still find its way into the small crevices of the camera body. So you’re supposed to make sure the camera is properly installed in every single step. If your security camera is located in an uncovered place, you’d better move it to a more protected location, like under the roof overhangs, eaves, etc. And try to keep the camera away from water runoff from the gutters or roof leaks. If you have to install the camera in an uncovered place, use a camera with a protective cover instead since the moisture and droplets of water accumulated on the camera lens will cause your video feeds to be foggy. Many cameras designed for outdoor use will come with specialized heavy-duty security mounts where the cables run through to connect to the data and power lines hidden in the wall. Though a solid security mount will not protect the camera body against rain, it will protect your camera from heavy winds and slow down the deterioration of camera pigtails.


Step 2: Choose the Right Cabling


1) Select the Correct Ethernet Cables

When choosing an appropriate network cable for your project, the outdoor Ethernet cable is always the best option. For safe operation, you should choose one that is waterproof, shielded with a UV-resistant jacket designed to withstand UV exposure, snow and ice. And it’s highly recommended to use direct-burial type cables that can be buried directly under the ground without conduits. But if you have to use the conduits, we do not recommend you to lay the cables in the PVC conduits since the water vapor could easily penetrate and linger in such materials, which will gradually damage the network cables in the long run.

So CMX cable is necessary for outdoor applications. It is a type of Ethernet cable that has an outdoor-rated Polyethylene jacket. The double layers of jackets help strengthen the tensile of the outdoor cable and give it the ability to be buried or trenched directly under the ground. The CMX cable shows great tolerance for extreme temperatures, water ingress, etc., and it can also prevent degradation due to UV light. Even though the double-layered CMX cable doesn’t have water blocking tape and gel filling, it can deliver optimal signal transmission performance in outdoor deployments.

2) Prevent Water Damage to Your Connections

As previously mentioned, one of the common reasons for camera failures is moisture ingress into the connection part between the camera and the cable. It’ll cause corrosion on the metal pins inside the connection which will jeopardize both power and data delivery and shut down the whole system. But this can be avoided with a little extra care and attention. Waterproofing outdoor cameras require the Ethernet cables to be tightly sealed. The simplest way is to use a waterproof connector shield: just feed the Ethernet cable through the hole and seal it with a rubber grommet and secure a bit of silicone. Or you can simply use a rubber sleeve to protect the connection from rain and water splash. What’s more, you can also use a junction box to provide a protective housing for the cable so as to ensure no moisture can get in.

Step 3: Provide a Reliable Power Supply


1) Use an Outdoor PoE Switch

A reliable power supply and network connection are crucial for outdoor camera installation. When deploying PoE switches in wash-down or high-humidity places, water protection is ultra important, but not all PoE switches are equally developed with water protection. If water infiltrates, irreversible accidents might happen. It’ll cause some problems like disconnection, short-circuit, etc. To ensure the continuous operations of your outdoor cameras, you’ll need to deploy an outdoor PoE switch.

What’s the Outdoor PoE Switch?

The outdoor PoE switch is a network switch that is specially designed for use in outdoor or harsh environments. It’s an all-in-one outdoor solution to transmit both power and data to the PDs installed outdoors to eliminate the need for installing new AC outlets in remote places. The outdoor PoE switch gives you a quick and easy way to deploy multiple IP devices over long distances while keeping your installation costs at an appropriate range. It’s manufactured and tested to meet the industrial standards for operation even in applications that require the highest level of reliability. With a rugged design, the outdoor PoE switch provides a safe and stable network connection and an uninterruptible power source to ensure the continuous operation of your security cameras.


Benefits of Using Outdoor PoE Switches

The outdoor PoE switch comes with a rugged, waterproof enclosure and is available in Din-Rail, wall and pole-mounting options to simplify the installation in nearly any environment. Like any other PoE solution, the outdoor PoE switch is hot-swappable and comes with a plug-and-play simple design, to allow you to connect and disconnect the device with ease. So you can easily take the device offline and relocate it wherever you want. The outdoor PoE switch guarantees a reliable network in harsh conditions. Most outdoor PoE switches are equipped with a hardened enclosure of IP65 or a higher level of protection rating to survive extreme weather conditions, shocks and vibration, corrosive elements, etc. Each PoE ported is armed with 6kV surge protection to protect the device from damages caused by lightning strikes, unstable power input and electrical surges, which makes it safer and more reliable in outdoor applications.

Recommended Model: Outdoor PoE Switch IP67 Waterproof

This outdoor PoE switch is built with an internal power bank and is able to work with various kinds of external power supplies like AC 100-240V (the voltage range at 802.3at mode is DC 53V), solar power, etc., to guarantee the continued operation of the outdoor PoE switch and connected devices at greater distances (extended to the distance to another 100 meters). Housed in an IP67-rated metal enclosure, this outdoor PoE switch has 7*10/100/1000 Mbps PoE ports and a 1Gbps RJ45 Ethernet uplink port to support a maximum power output of 32W on a per-port basis (120W in total) to allow you to install up to 7 IP cameras at a time. It features 6kv surge protection and a wide operating temperature of -25°C~60°C. And It’s ideal for installing more than one IP device in places where there are no existing network facilities.


2) Use a PoE Passthrough Switch

And in places where you cannot find any power source at all, you can also take advantage of a PoE passthrough switch to power multiple outdoor cameras at once.

What’s the PoE Passthrough Switch?

The outdoor PoE passthrough switch can operate as both a powered device (PD) and a power sourcing equipment (PSE), which means that the switch itself can be powered by a PSE while simultaneously providing power to other PDs such as wireless access points and VoIP phones. Since the PoE passthrough switch has the passthrough features built in it, it can be installed in any place with no additional power cabling. Moreover, by deploying the passthrough switch, you can use only ‘one cable’ to realize network expansion and make for a cleaner setup since the connection between the upstream PoE switch and the passthrough switch is completed by Ethernet cables only.

Recommended Model: Outdoor Waterproof PoE Pass Through Switch

This outdoor PoE passthrough switch is compliant with the IEEE802.3at standard, and backward compatible with legacy Type 1 and Type 2 devices. It has a Gigabit speed PoE-powered port and 7 PoE output ports, featuring a total power budget of 95W (30W max. at each PoE port). It’s well protected in a metal enclosure that is rated IP67 to withstand inclement weather. This PoE passthrough switch supports a wide operating temperature (-25°C~60 °C) and 6kV surge protection to perform safely and reliably outdoors. It’s built with a fanless cooling design for deployments in harsh environments.

How to Power the PoE Passthrough Switch

Here are basically two methods to power the PoE passthrough switch: using a PoE injector or a PoE switch. PoE switches don’t actually consume too much power, but typically they need around 15-30W to operate. So to power up the PoE passthrough switch, you’ll need to use a high-power PSE.

1) Use the 90/95W 802.3bt PoE Injector

As the demand for higher power increases, choosing a high-power PoE injector can be a much better option to supply enough power to the PoE passthrough switch because very few PoE switches can offer more than 60W per port. Fastcabling’s 90/95W 802.3bt PoE Injector is compatible with both PoH protocol and IEEE802.3bt standards to deliver 72W max. to the powered device and supports a transmission speed of 10/100/1000Mbps. It is highly reliable, featuring carrier-grade surge protection to protect the device against ESD events.

2) Use the 802.3bt PoE Switch

This 802.3bt PoE switch offers a maximum power of 90W to install power-hungry devices like LED lighting, information kiosks, etc. It has 6 PoE ports (total power budget: 180W) and two of these can support a maximum power output of up to 90W (30W max. for the 4 remaining PoE ports). This 802.3bt PoE switch is equipped with auto-sensing ports to automatically detects the power class of the PDs and deliver an appropriate amount of power to them accordingly. The PoE switch also features a simple plug-and-play installation with easy configuration.

Other Considerations


1) Use Outdoor PoE Extenders for Long-Distance Deployments

Normally, the outdoor PoE switch can only support a maximum distance of 100 meters, to overcome the standard PoE limit, you’ll need to install a waterproof PoE extender. The PoE extender can repeat the received PoE signals and send them to the next devices without severe attenuation. When in outdoor deployments, you should always use a 27mm wrench to fasten each gland of the extender tightly to prevent any possible water ingress into the main body. Fastcabling has launched a 95W 2 Port Waterproof PoE Extender to allow you to install two PoE devices at a time. But you’ll need to use a rubber plug to block another output port if you’re only using a single PoE port of the device.

2) Prevent Lightning with the Surge Protector

If you’re using network devices outdoors, you should always take some precautions to protect your devices and appliances from power surges. The surge protector makes sure the outdoor PoE switch functions more reliably and protects the connected devices (i.e. outdoor security cameras) from damage during sudden power surges. Installing surge protectors is an important preventive measure to protect your PoE devices from over-voltages. Physically, a surge protector mainly has two functions: one is to keep the surge voltage within a safe threshold so that the dielectric strength of the PoE device will not be exceeded; another is to discharge the excessive currents and surges to the ground. And they’re often installed in parallel to the equipment. For more information, please continue to read 4 Effective Ways to Protect Outdoor Security Cameras from Lightning to safeguard your security systems.

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Apply Managed PoE Switches in Home or Business Network

Knowing how to manage your network is crucial to businesses of all sizes. When you’re planning to retrofit your network facility, consider implementing a managed PoE switch to meet the growing needs of intelligent network management. The managed PoE switch is fully configurable, which gives you more control in network building to ensure each connected PD can deliver its optimal performance. It provides an effective and affordable solution for homes and SMBs to prioritize the traffic that is forwarding to each PD, monitor the status of each PoE port and supervise the data flow through your network.



Everything You Need to Know About Managed PoE Switch


The managed PoE switch is a managed network switch that has PoE capabilities built into it. Apart from some basic features like delivering data and power simultaneously to the PD via the same Ethernet cable, it also supports various configuration options, advanced security settings, VLAN functions, Quality of Services (QoS) and other network protocols like SNMP. It’s a centralized ‘data+power’ management center where you can configure the network speed and amount of power on each port. The managed PoE switch configures each port to low priority during low activity periods to reduce power consumption. FASTCABLING has launched a whole collection of managed PoE switches, such as 8-Port L2+ PoE Managed Switch with 2 Gigabit SFP and 8 Port 60W Visual PoE Managed Switch with 2 Gigabit SFP, and we’ve summarized some basic features shared by these products:

1.Layer 2+ Network Protocol


Layer 2, also known as Data Link layer, is the second of the seven-layer OSI model designed for error-free data transmission in the same network and provides methods to detect and correct the errors that occur in the physical layer (Layer 1). It helps to forward the packet on MAC addressing and encapsulate data packets into frames. Layer 2+ network protocol comes with improved security capabilities to avoid any direct tempering on the device and fend off cyberattacks. The layer 2+ managed PoE switches provide a simple way to create a data link between two geographically isolated locations without latency.

2.User-Friendly Management with VLAN, QoS, etc.


FASTCABLING managed PoE switches with full layer 2+ functions provide direct and visual network management on a web browser. These managed PoE switches allow you to create VLANs on the switch to help you segment the network without installing separate equipment. You just need to create a VLAN ID on the switching tab, assign it to the ports you select, and then create a PVID to isolate it from other VLANs. And you can also configure the features of QoS by setting the desired CoS, Queue scheduling, bandwidth control, etc., to prioritize critical traffic for your business.


3.Gigabit Switch with High-Speed Uplink Ports


These layer 2+ managed PoE switches support Gigabit Ethernet at each PoE port, ideal for applications at every scale, small networks like home and SMBs or large-scale networks on campus or governmental projects, to help you create a high-performance and future-proof network in any scenario. Gigabit Internet is normally available in FTTX applications, but these Gigabit managed PoE switches offer a network speed ten times faster than the average broadband network (Fast Ethernet) and ensure you can get plenty of spare bandwidth for 4K streaming, video conferencing, online gaming, etc. Each managed switch is also equipped with one or two Gigabit uplink port(s) to provide a reliable backbone of your network.

4.Auto-Sensing PoE Ports and SFP Interfaces


All layer 2+ managed PoE switches are built with auto-sensing ports that automatically detect the compatibility of the connected devices so it won’t forward PoE power to the incompatible device by mistake. Before the managed PoE switch sends any power to a connected PD, it will initiate a procedure called ‘power handshake’ to verify if the PD is PoE-compatible, decide how much power the connected device requires, and reallocate surplus power to high-power devices when needed. Moreover, they’re also built with SFP interfaces to help you set up a high-speed fiber link over longer distances to overcome the limitations of standard PoE. With fiber cabling, you can install the PDs miles away from the server and control center.

5.Improved Security and Enhanced Surge Protection


Monitoring network performance is critical to mitigating network downtime. Compared with the unmanaged PoE switch, the managed PoE switches have some major security benefits to keep out unauthorized access and shut down active cyber threats. For example, VLANs can be created to only allow temporary and limited access to your network. Additionally, to safeguard the network in case a connection or device goes down in the lightning storms, all our managed PoE switches are manufactured with carrier-grade surge protection (6kV) to prevent power failures and safety hazards.



Applications of Managed PoE Switches


• Smart home automation: security cameras and sensors at the main entrances and driveway; voice command devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Home; remote lighting control, etc.

• Smart offices: smart building access control; security camera systems; video conferencing; centralized management of lighting, humidity, temperature; computer monitors, etc.

• Small and medium-sized businesses: security cameras; digital signage displays; point-of-sale systems; the expansion of WiFi networks and the addition of thin clients, etc.

• Industrial automation: smart sensors and IP cameras to monitor manufacturing floors, etc.



Managed PoE Switch Setup Guide


The very first step before you mount the switch on any server is to configure its setting. For the first time usage, you must activate the device and reset the password on the web. After the switch is activated, you can configure the switch for further network management. You can change the IP address and gateway address as needed. When you log in, go to the configuration or switching tab for port configuration, VLAN setting, Trunk management, SNMP setting, IGMP snooping, etc., to configure your managed PoE switch as required.

The managed PoE switch should work in an indoor environment, and extra surge protection is suggested to ensure the continuous operation of the device. Use electromagnetic shielding if possible to reduce external interference. There are mainly three ways of installation: rack-mounted, wall-mounted and desk-mounted. For rack-mounting, you only need to attach two L-shaped brackets to both sides of the switch and fix it on the rack but check the grounding and the stability of the rack first. For wall mounting, you need to attach the screw template to the wall and tighten the screws to secure the mount. Place the managed PoE switch onto the mounting screws, and slide it down until it locks in place. For desk mounting, you only need to place it on a table and remember to attach four rubber pads on the bottom to avoid any scratches on the table. Use a chassis if available.

Lastly, let’s make the connection. To set up the managed PoE switch, you’ll need a router, a short patch cord, some Ethernet cables, and PoE splitters if you want to connect PoE and non-PoE devices on the same switch. First, plug the managed PoE switch into a wall outlet (100-240V AC). Second, take a short patch cord to connect the switch to the router. Then, connect the PoE switch with the PD with a long Ethernet cable, and check if the LED indicator is on. If so, the connection is successfully made. If you want to connect a non-PoE device like a computer, then you will need to add a PoE splitter between them. The splitter will isolate the power from data and feed it into a separate output that the non-PoE device can use.

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Benefits of Managed Switches in Business Networks

Nowadays, managed PoE switches are getting more and more popular among network users, especially in enterprise-level businesses where a higher level of management is required to prioritize the traffic coming in and out of the LAN switch to ensure the optimal performance of the connected devices. Unmanaged network switches are more of a plug-and-play type with no settings to configure, and they will immediately start forwarding traffic once plugged in. They are easier to maintain and manage and work fine in small networks where only a few devices are connected. But in larger networks where reliability and security are critical, such as mid-sized enterprises, government agencies and universities, managed switches will give you greater control over your network.



What is a Managed Network Switch?


The managed network switch is a device that allows connected devices to communicate with each other and remains the feature to manage, monitor and configure the traffic of the LAN. The unmanaged switch is developed with a fixed configuration to which you cannot make any changes, while the managed switch is fully configurable and offers greater functionality than its counterpart. It allows users to create new VLANs and guarantees fast data recovery in network failures. The managed switch is equipped with advanced security features to avoid any type of tampering on the device. Managed network switches generally provide a higher level of QoS and support various protocols like SNMP to allow the users to check the status of each network port for traffic throughput and network error. The managed switch is more expensive than the unmanaged one but it provides advanced features like port mirroring. But since it’s an enterprise-level switch, it needs to be set up and handled by skilled IT staff.



Benefits of Managed Switches in Business


When a network becomes more complex, a higher level of management is required, and this is why you’ll need to use a managed switch to create a fully optimized network to achieve more than basic needs. Here’s a quick look at the benefits of using managed network switches in business.

Optimized Network Traffic

The managed switch helps to prioritize the traffic flow of each network port. Since different network devices have different bandwidth requirements, when these devices are connected on the same switch, the managed switch can help you control the amount of traffic each port is forwarding to ensure the optimal performance of each connected device. For example, the average bandwidth consumption of a static IP camera is merely 4Mpbs (2MP streaming with H.264), while a 4K quality camera will require at least 15Mbps even when streaming with H.265. By using a managed switch, you can easily configure the low-bandwidth-consumption devices to low priority so other devices can get enough bandwidth to function properly.

Less Network Downtime

Managed switches provide services like network monitoring and problem diagnosis to allow you to have better control over your network. It provides full reports of status on each port and speeds up troubleshooting if necessary to shorten the time wasted on data recovery. Network failures pose a great safety and economic risk to enterprise networks, and occasional IT downtime may cost you thousands of dollars per year. To avoid such a problem, deploying a managed switch that supports ring redundancy will be of great help. In this configuration, the switches can be connected in a ring topology where each network switch is connected to two other switches on either side. The backup ring remains inactive during normal operation, but if one network switch fails, it will activate until the connection is repaired.

Increased Security

Another major advantage of using managed switches in business networks mainly lies in its high security. Unmanaged switches only provide basic security features, but the managed switches can only provide access to trusted devices to prevent unauthorized access and block unknown devices. With the 802.1X Port-Based Network Access Control (PNAC), the user can set up the level to access the switch.

How to Choose a Managed Network Switch?


Since there are various models out there with different specifications and features, we’ve concluded a quick buying guide to help you pick the best managed switch for your network:

Switch Ports: Network switches have different port numbers: 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64. A 4/8-port network switch is normally enough for everyday use, but the larger the network is, the greater number of Ethernet ports you’ll need. Based on how many devices you’re going to add to your networks, you can choose the suitable LAN switch that fulfills your needs, but it’s always better to choose a switch that has more interfaces than you actually need for future network expansions.

Features and Performance: When choosing a managed switch, the network speed is the priority. Fast Ethernet is enough for powering normal IP cameras and wireless access points, but Gigabit speed is required for running PTZ cameras, high-performance APs, LCD displays, etc. And make sure you select one with enough network capacity. Apart from some basic features such as advanced QoS, VLAN, and security, the managed switch should have some advanced features and diagnosis tools like remote network mirroring.

Commercial or Industrial: The commercial network switches are developed for applications in well-controlled and air-conditioned settings like an office and campus, while the industrial managed switches are designed for applications in factory automation, oil and mining, and public transportation projects like intersection traffic monitoring, etc. The industrial-grade managed switch has a strong resistance to vibration, electrical noise, temperature fluctuations and exposure to chemicals or combustible environments. The industrial switch features a fan-less heat dissipation mechanism, while the commercial one is usually fan-distributed.