SecurityWorldMarket

20/02/2022

Identifying the correct transmission options for security applications

San Juan Capistrano, Ca

Selecting an industrial-grade transmission device for security applications can seem confusing with so many options to choose from. KBC has devised a quick reference guide with a checklist that will help to quickly identify what kind of switch is needed.

The PoE decision

The first point to consider is whether a PoE device is needed.  Most IP-based security devices are PoE-powered, so the answer to this question will most likely be yes. To give more flexibility, most KBC switches have PoE and non-PoE capability, or there are non-PoE models available of the PoE switches. The switches with the N in the model number are non-PoE. Incidentally, a switch that is listed as having four ports is actually a five-port switch: four ports are PoE and one is non PoE and typically used as an uplink port. Similarly, a 24-port switch has 24 usable standard ports and either four additional SFP ports or four additional SFP combo ports, making it a 28-port switch.


Ethernet ports

Even if a video surveillance system has four cameras, it still might need more than four ports. If  integrating an NVR and a wireless unit, for example, the system will require six ports. Additionally the customer’s potential plans for expansion in the future should be considered – will they be adding additional cameras down the line? Perhaps a switch with more ports than they need right now will let them build out their system more easily in the future.

Fibre linked or standalone?

If the switch is going to be linked to a larger network using fibre, a Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) port will be required, so look for a switch with SFP capabilities. If the switch is standalone, e.g. going to a central point over a 4G or wireless connection, then probably SFP ports will not be needed. For a full fibre solution, KBC also offers full SFP switches.

Managed or unmanaged switch

This depends on the scale of the network and where it’s going. For example, a small parking garage may only require simple unmanaged switches. Conversely, a large office complex may need to use multiple Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) to segregate the security network from other networks – managed switches would be better suited for this task.

Power requirements

Most applications will require a 48-volt DC power supply to power the switch and provide PoE. For applications that need a low power input instead, KBC offers four-, six-, and eight-port switches that can be powered from 9-36 volts DC and still provide up to 180 Watts of PoE power.


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