PoE NVR and PoE Switch

Difference between PoE NVR and PoE Switch?

Sir “I’m going to install two IP cameras in my house. However, I have no idea whether to use a PoE NVR or a PoE switch matching with them. So, what’s the difference between them? “

Hello “Arindam sir, this is XXX from BBB, as you are security expert, I realy confused from my cctv vendor, someone quote PoE based NVR someone quote PoE switch with Normal NVR. Please suggest which technology is best for us.”

Such type of questions I face throughout 2018, which indicates many people feel confused about the selection between PoE NVR and PoE switch. This write-ups / blog intends to explore the differences between PoE NVR and PoE switch in details.

What Is PoE?

PoE, an abbreviated form of Power over Ethernet, allows a single CAT cable connecting a power sourcing equipment (PSE) to provide both data connection and electric power to powered devices (PDs) such as IP cameras, wireless access points, etc.

What Is a PoE NVR?

NVR represents for network video recorder which provides you with centralized video controls to easily view, manage, and store your surveillance footage in one convenient location. A PoE NVR is a security video recorder with built-in PoE switch designed to use with PoE-based IP cameras.

Equipped with a PoE switch, a PoE NVR recorder can deliver both data and power over a single Ethernet cable. There is no need for an additional PoE switch, which will reduce the cost of equipment in theory. You just need to connect one Ethernet cable from the camera to the PoE NVR recorder and then the built-in switch will provide power to the camera while transmitting data.

A PoE NVR is ideal for users with minimal network administration experience and is generally used in homes and small businesses. It creates a private camera network, keeping surveillance footage isolated from the main network and adding an extra layer of privacy.

What Is a PoE Switch?

A PoE switch or power over Ethernet switch, containing multiple Ethernet RJ45 ports, is a dedicated network switch with multiple Ethernet ports to connect network segments and provide power and network communications.

It expands a network created by a router. Basically, it just assigns LAN IP addresses to your camera and needs to be tied into a system that allows you to see and manage your cameras, which is usually done with video surveillance software on a computer. Therefore, it must be connected directly to a router on the same network as your NVR. It can reduce the need for extra outlets and extension cables and saves deployment cost and labor efforts as well.

Power over Ethernet switch can be classified into many types. In addition to the most common one, gigabit PoE switch, for example, there are other types as well such as unmanaged and managed PoE switches. Most PoE switches provided in the market have standard gigabit Ethernet ports which can provide speed of 10/100/1000Mbps. For smaller network, 8-port Gigabit PoE switch is very popular. For larger/enterprise network, we use 24-port PoE switch and 48-port managed switch.

Main difference between a PoE NVR & PoE Switch

From the above, you will see that both PoE NVR and PoE switch can provide power and data transmission. However, the former is limited in minimal network administration experience while the latter can expend the network freely. What’s more, a switch does not assign IP addresses, which is the job of a DHCP server, usually built into a router. PoE NVRs provide this service, while PoE switches don’t. The switch simply provides a data path between all of the devices connected to it.

Note: You cannot plug a POE switch into an NVR directly - it must be plugged into your network.

Visit http://arindamcctvaccesscontrol.blogspot.com/2014/11/poe-network-camera-in-global-market.html for more detail.

Tips of Hanwha PoE NVR 

By default, PoE NVRs are set to connect directly to IP cameras.  In cases where the PoE ports are connected to network switches, the NVR must be put in Manual mode.

In addition, the PoE ports are set to Isolated mode, where each device can only communicate only with the NVR and not each other.  This is a security feature to prevent rouge devices from accessing other devices on the network.  This will prevent a connected PC from accessing IP cameras for setup changes.

If you are uplinking non-camera devices, such as switches, media converters, PCs, etc., you must set the NVR to Manual mode.

From the setup menu of the NVR, navigate to System > System Management > Settings > Load Factory Default.

Select the Manual Setup Mode.  If you wish to save some of the settings to speed up setup, check the Not Included options of User, Camera, and/or Network as needed.

Click the Initialization button and wait for the NVR to reboot.

This Write ups published on safe secure magazine Feb 2019 issue.