An IP video surveillance system is only as reliable as the network that supports it. Choosing the right switch, correctly sizing the bandwidth, and knowing how to manage devices remotely are steps as important as the choice of the cameras themselves.
Why the PoE+ standard is beneficial
Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows you to power cameras, Wi-Fi access points, and other network devices using the same data cable, without needing electrical outlets near each device. The PoE+ standard (802.3at) brings the available power per port up to approximately 30 W, which is sufficient to power PTZ cameras, cameras with active lighting, or cameras equipped with heaters, which would not receive enough energy with standard PoE. For systems with particularly demanding devices, there is also PoE++ (802.3bt), offering up to 60-90 W per port.
How to calculate the necessary bandwidth
Each camera consumes bandwidth based on resolution, frame rate, compression (H.264 or H.265), and the complexity of the scene being filmed. A 4K camera in H.265 with a sparsely populated scene may require a few Mbps, while the same resolution in H.264 in a highly dynamic scene can easily exceed 15-20 Mbps. The rule of thumb for sizing a switch is to add up the estimated maximum bitrate of all connected cameras and add a margin of 20-30% to handle peaks, in addition to management traffic and any streams to the cloud.
Managed switches: why they make the difference in professional systems
A managed switch allows you to segment the network into VLANs dedicated solely to video traffic, isolating it from office data traffic, to monitor PoE power consumption per individual port, and to remotely reboot a locked device without having to physically travel to the location. In systems with multiple sites, centralized management via the cloud allows you to check the status of switches, cameras, and NVRs from a single dashboard, receiving automatic alerts in case of anomalies or disconnections.
Free cloud: what to really expect
Many network equipment manufacturers now offer a free cloud management platform, which simplifies initial provisioning and daily monitoring without additional license costs. However, it is important to check which features remain included in the free plan (e.g., number of manageable devices, event history, notifications) and which require a premium subscription, especially for systems intended to grow over time.
Take a look at our selection of switches and networking equipment to find the most suitable solution for your video surveillance system.