Switching

Switching: the heart of the CCTV network

The network switch determines everything else in the installation: it is what carries the camera streams to the recorder and, in most cases, powers them over PoE. Before choosing, count the number of cameras to be connected, allow a margin of spare ports for future extensions, then add up the consumption of each camera to check that the switch's total PoE budget covers it: motorised domes and models with powerful infrared illumination often call for Hi-PoE rather than PoE+.

This selection ranges from four ports to fifty-two-port chassis, in Gigabit as well as multi-gigabit, with RJ45 or SFP and SFP+ uplinks to link cabinets together without creating a bottleneck. The managed versions, many of which can be administered from the cloud, make it possible to monitor port status remotely; unmanaged models are sufficient for small installations.

• Managed PoE, Hi-PoE and PoE++ network switches, in layer 2, L2+ and L3
• Unmanaged Gigabit network switches for simple connections
• Hardened and industrial models, including DIN rail versions
• SFP and SFP+ modules in copper, single-mode and multimode
• DIN rail power supplies for technical cabinets

Not sure about PoE sizing? Write to us. See also the network accessories, the IP NVRs and the TP-Link brand.