Enhanced IP Camera Video Surveillance Solutions

CCTV technology has evolved exponentially—from simple video footage monitoring, to today’s intelligent systems that are capable of identifying abnormal events or behavior.

As intelligence increases in CCTV systems, so do technology applications. Surveillance technology can now be used to observe consumer behavior, to help organizations increase their revenue and profitability, and to monitor retail environments to reduce shrinkage.

This document explains some of the benefits of intelligence in IP surveillance systems, and the advantages of working with Allied Telesis IP video surveillance solutions. The diagram shows that it is easy to save, search, edit and analyze video, using a PC. The networked cameras send digital image data through an IP network, where the video feed can also be monitored on a smartphone.

The major advantages of moving to an IP surveillance system

High-definition images

High-definition digital images are sharper and clearer than the lower resolution images typically produced by analog surveillance cameras. Digital video can be stored on a variety of media—PC hard drives, Network-Attached Storage (NAS) systems, and more. Digital images do not degrade, regardless of how long they are stored. Furthermore, they can be searched quickly, even if large volumes of data have been stored.

Simpler operation

Depending on the system, it is possible to monitor the digital video feed with standard PC software. The images are stored as MPEG or H.264, so selected video segments can be uploaded to cloud-based storage, to be displayed or analyzed from anywhere.

Video analytics

Video surveillance analytics can assess security-related events using data about foot traffic, face recognition and reconstruction of events from several camera sources. The Allied Telesis IP Surveillance Solution effectively achieves these benefits and provides secure, remote monitoring for further security assurance. Many everyday monitoring tasks can be automated, with a low rate of errors.

Simple installation and cabling

By using Allied Telesis Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches, power can be provided to cameras over the same Ethernet cable as data, removing the need for separate power cables. The camera needs just a single UTP Ethernet cable run to it from its local switch. This simplifies the installation process.

As a result, even after the initial installation of the system is complete, any subsequent alteration or expansion of the surveillance network is also simplified.

Flexible deployment

Allied Telesis Industrial switches operate in a wide temperature range, so they are perfectly suited to outdoor video surveillance applications. All models support the 30 watts of PoE+, and some can provide 60 watts of power to end devices. This enables the latest outdoor Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) cameras with heaters/blowers to be connected and powered over a single Ethernet cable.

Continuous camera operation

Allied Telesis innovative Continuous PoE (CPoE) keeps cameras recording. CPoE is a unique feature that guarantees uninterrupted power delivery to cameras and other sensors, even when the switch is rebooted. CPoE lets switches perform actions such as software upgrades without forcing cameras to power cycle. Cameras that support local storage resync to the network when connectivity is back.

Utilize existing network infrastructure

For new installations, existing cabling can be incorporated to make network upgrades more cost effective. For example, existing coax cable can be reused to transport modern digital data.

To reuse coax cable, two MMC6006 Ethernet Extenders are used. The extenders are connected at either end of the cable, with one unit configured as a local device, and the other as a remote device. This enables surveillance cameras in remote locations, which may be hard to reach with new cabling, to connect over existing coax to the IP Ethernet network.

Easy distribution and system scalability

Video feeds from IP cameras can be monitored from remote sites. Additionally, the feeds can be transmitted across the Internet to locations outside the business. The feeds can also be viewed upon multiple displays or devices simultaneously.

Through integration with the existing Ethernet/IP network, the operation of the surveillance network can be incorporated in an organization’s IT environment. IP networks are easily scaled to cope with the addition of new cameras. The organization can take advantage of the benefits that come from multiple applications (such as CCTV) being converged onto a single, unified network.

Deliver video to multiple receivers simultaneously

IP data streams can deliver video to multiple devices at the same time. This enables redundant storage of video. There is no limit to the number and locations of recording and monitoring devices.

Multicast communication enables efficient image distribution to multiple devices.

Secure Connectivity

Securing the network is an important part of modern data solutions, to prevent access from unwanted users and those with malicious intent. IP surveillance networks can use mechanisms such as 802.1x, which ensures video cameras are authenticated on the network before they can send any data, and removes the possibility of replacing a camera with a laptop to gain unauthorized access.

Allied Telesis Active Fiber Monitoring prevents eavesdropping on the fiber backbone links of an IP surveillance network, by monitoring received optical power. If an intrusion is detected, the link can be automatically shut down, and an operator alert sent, to ensure that video and other network data is safe from snooping.

Centralize management

Managing IP networks can be expensive and complex, especially in the case of large distributed networks which are often required for IP surveillance solutions. Allied Telesis has powerful automation, visibility and monitoring tools, to reduce the time and cost of managing large distributed IP video surveillance networks.

Allied Telesis Autonomous Management Framework™(AMF) automates and simplifies network administration. AMF enables centralized management of many or all devices at once, automated back-up, and zero-touch expansion and recovery to support plug-and-play networking.

Vista Manager EX provides a single-pane-of-glass graphical interface for AMF networks, for a complete overview, actionable reporting, and intuitive access to detailed information.

The Scope of IP Video Surveillance

Office building

One aspect of the broadening use of IP cameras is the deployment for building management purposes. This application poses some challenges in terms of integration with existing networks, and cost-effective network construction.

The following diagrams illustrate best practices to follow when integrating video surveillance into an existing network. Taking advantage of IP cameras and following these integration practices enables a surveillance system to be added to an office building quickly and efficiently.

Shopping Mall

IP cameras in each zone can perform integrated surveillance. This reduces the need for security guard patrols and enhances security and safety. Facial recognition software is effective in the identification of suspicious individuals and shoplifters.

IP cameras can deliver video to screens to display live events, promotional announcements and messages to catch customer attention.

Chain Store/Parking

Integrated surveillance is an ideal security solution for parking areas and for stores with multiple locations. The high definition images provide a clear advantage, because large areas can be covered with fewer cameras. Software applications enable automatic detection of suspicious events. Intruder alerts can be raised automatically, working in parallel with other crime-prevention systems.

Pan, Tilt and Zoom (PTZ) camera control can be operated remotely, enabling thorough surveillance coverage from a central location.

Hotel

Most hotels have IP networks throughout the buildings, providing Internet access for guests. Integrating the IP surveillance system with the existing well-distributed network saves on installation costs.

Warehouse/Factory

High-resolution video surveillance prevents the theft of equipment and valuable goods. For those facilities that wish to attain TAPA certification (a freight security standard), it is essential to install and use IP camera surveillance systems. IP surveillance also helps to monitor the safety of staff in potentially dangerous environments, and pre-empt events that could lead to accidents.

Disaster Warning

Municipal and regional authorities are evaluating the installation of IP cameras to monitor river levels, and provide early warning of floods and other disasters. IP surveillance networks are an important tool for increasing the safety and security of populated areas.

Schools

Many countries are encouraging the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment in schools. Therefore, the majority of schools in these countries already have IP networks in place. It is simple to attach IP cameras to the network to provide surveillance of school gates, rooftops and parking areas.

Parents can check on the welfare of their children by connecting to the surveillance network via PC or smartphone, using a secure login.

Hospital

Opportunities for crime are significantly reduced by installing cameras to monitor entrances, elevators, parking areas, etc. The surveillance can be used in conjunction with ID authentication to control access to restricted areas.

Surveillance can be used to monitor the welfare of patients waiting for treatment and also for staff safety.

The camera network uses resilient pairs of links from an Allied Telesis Virtual Chassis Stack™ (VCStack) in the core to the distribution switches. This enables the network to continue operating even if links or switches go down. In the security control center, the surveillance monitors receive video feed from each camera, enabling security guards to maintain real-time surveillance of the entire hospital. Cameras help prevent crime for the hospital by monitoring all entrances, exits and elevator doors. It is important to install cameras in positions that do not have blind spots.

Railway/Superhighway

IP cameras can be connected into the network infrastructure that already exists along railways. The cameras can provide surveillance throughout stations, in unmanned stations, in electrical substations and more.

Alarms can be raised when passengers are seen entering restricted areas. The networks along railways and highways cover long distances and are well suited to a ring topology. Using a ring design reduces the amount of cabling and switching equipment required.

IP surveillance supports crime prevention by placing cameras throughout stations. This provides a safety and security service to passengers. Cameras are installed at points along the railroad to remotely monitor signals and check track settings at junctions. These cameras also help prevent vandalism and theft crimes, and can provide an early warning of fires. In areas where onsite security surveillance is difficult, such as at unmanned stations, the installation of IP cameras enables remote monitoring. Installed screens display the images being fed from the IP cameras and perform real-time surveillance using human eyes.