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Outdoor networking

Outdoor networking has become common practice with IP CCTV installations. When installing multiple cameras over a vast area connectivity is usually difficult to achieve and bandwidth requirement is never a constant value.

For now, let’s exclude the discussion on a basic IP camera that is installed back-to-back with some kind of off-the-shelf wireless device. We are talking about multiple cameras covering multiple locations, connected to a single data centre via a single local area network.

The requirements to achieve a reliable outdoor LAN infrastructure include placing switches, power supplies and other components in outdoor enclosures close to the attached hardware, then linking these boxes to each other, and eventually to the control centre.

Challenges

Moisture: Placing electronic equipment outdoors requires an IP (Ingress Protection) rating of at least IP65. This means it is totally protected against dust, and can withstand low-pressure water jets from all directions. That said it is also imperative to carry this IP rating through to all your expensive external devices, i.e. cameras, wireless hardware, illuminators etc, by using proper conduits and sealed connectors.

Temperature: Placing multiple heat emitting devices in a single enclosure generates a great deal of heat and requires that the chosen hardware is rated for excessive temperatures.

Security: Any available point on your network could open the gate to any rogue attempts made by unauthorised persons or entities. By removing an IP camera and using its LAN cable, an experienced hacker could wreak havoc on your security system. Securing your outdoor enclosures from humans is just as important as securing it from the elements.

Power: Uninterrupted power is the starting point when designing a reliable network. This supply should power your network devices and any other hardware applicable to your security solution.

Surge: As with anything that is exposed to nature’s fury, surge will always be the bane of a system’s uptime. Ensuring that the correct earthing practice and surge disposal is in place will decrease your MTBF and total cost of ownership.

Diversity: Most networks are asymmetric, meaning that the data requirements are not equal at all points. This is especially true for IP CCTV networks. Most traffic will be flowing towards the recording facility and traffic will vary according to the amount of devices per location. With expensive harsh environment devices, it would be ideal to have a scalable outdoor networking solution to save cost where possible.

Solution

24-7 Electronic Solutions has developed a rugged IP65 outdoor enclosure to cater for any outdoor CCTV/networking requirement. Scalable power and bandwidth components allow you to customise each enclosure to its location. Our ODL (outdoor LAN) box is dynamic and caters for any form of connectivity; i.e. LAN, fibre, wireless. You might be able to reach your first few enclosures with fibre but the outermost units will require some form of wireless connection. It is as easy as using a different port on a switch.

The chosen components are a combination of tried and tested, harsh environment devices that can withstand extreme temperatures without failing. And our easy to use design makes doing maintenance a neat and easy task.

The company has also developed a scalable power backup solution that will power six IP cameras for over 8 hours after losing main power. This battery pack simply bolts on to the outdoor enclosure and wiring is easy.

These lockable outdoor enclosures are powder coated in a light beige colour to keep it cool and equipped with ample surge protection to protect both the power and LAN components.

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