1.. Know the capabilities of the network system you are going to be adding cameras and/or DVR s to. Meaning, know if the present LAN has the

Transcription

1 10 Things All Installers Should Know Before Installing a Network Security System

2 1.. Know the capabilities of the network system you are going to be adding cameras and/or DVR s to. Meaning, know if the present LAN has the capabilities to handle new devices being out on the network. If it does not, you might want to consider purchasing things like extra switches and extra Cat-5 5 cable to accommodate the extra devices.

3 2.. On the flip side of that, make sure that there is enough push push behind the LAN to get the cameras or DVR s outside of the network so that they can be viewed when on the WAN. We usually suggest having at least 512 Kbps to have an acceptable connection outside of your LAN to your devices. Of course, the more Kbps upload you have, the faster the connection will be to your devices.

4 3.. Know what type of router you will be using. If you are planning on accessing this DVR or camera from outside the local network, you are going to have to forward a port on the router. This basically means opening up a port on your router so you can get through to your DVR or camera. Knowing how to get inside of the router by using Internet Explorer is the first step to accomplishing this.

5 4. Keep in mind that whatever computer the end-user will be viewing the devices on should be up to speed with today s average computer. We aren t talking about top of the line equipment but if the end-user is using something like Windows 98, they may have to consider upgrading to a better computer. Some of the older computers do not have appropriate CPU s and/or memory to accommodate what you are trying to accomplish. We would recommend at least a dual core CPU with at least 1 GB of RAM.

6 5. Remember that what you are installing is basically a computer. Be familiar with the basic operations of a computer. Be familiar with how to access devices using Internet Explorer and try to be a little familiar with the way things work on the internet.

7 6. DVR s (Computers) need adequate storage to save all of the recorded material. Be aware of HDD size and have a realistic amount of time (i.e. days and months) that you want to save. If your client wants a large amount of time they want to save, be aware that you may have to purchase extra storage that is not included with the DVR and/or IP cameras. This might mean something like NAS boxes, or USB connected HDD s to fit their needs.

8 7. Keep in mind distance. While IP cameras can be pulled from almost anywhere in the world to be incorporated into a hybrid DVR, those cameras still need to be somewhere in the range of a router, switch or bridge (about 300 ). You can t just install an IP camera in the middle of a forest and expect it to be able to get on a network when there is no network around. This doesn t have to be the same network as the DVR but it does have to be a network. Any network.

9 8. Remember POE (Power Over Ethernet) devices. This saves time and cabling when you can use one cable for both the internet and for power. This is especially helpful when in situations where a separate power supply located next to the camera is not possible.

10 9.Passwords are great! Make sure you know the default passwords for all the devices you are going to be installing and configuring. Nothing is more frustrating than looking through a book for a password while an owner is standing above you waiting for you to finish. Also, know any passwords the owner might have. Getting into computers, routers and cameras all require passwords, default or not.

11 10.. And finally, make sure the owner of the network knows a little about the network. Many a times I have run across elaborate systems that were put in by overzealous installers that wanted to put in the best while leaving the owner of the network completely in the dark. This will add service calls to you when simple things, like an unplugged cord, cord have been fixed by the owner if the owner only knew a little about the system.