Inside the Ethernet
Gaining a cost-effective perspective in advanced networks
- By Andrew Acquarulo
- Apr 01, 2010
As the need for more advanced
security networks has increased,
so has their complexity,
upfront planning and cost. Gone
are the days of simple point-to-point
closed-circuit surveillance systems with
a single control center recording a limited
number of video channels for a
limited time. These systems simply do
not meet today's security challenges.
The emergence of Ethernet/IP networks
in security applications has added
benefits and options that have never
before been offered. Unfortunately,
with those benefits comes a level of
complexity security professionals have
never faced.
One of the challenges is how to
achieve system reliability, flexibility
and scalability yet maintain user and
installer friendliness. The downward
migration and integration of Ethernet
protocol into the classic security network
have solved many of the feasibility
questions but have created new questions
about how to design and deploy
the networks. The Ethernet network's
configuration parameters must be set
and managed for the network to run at
optimal efficiency.
These settings, although common in
the IT world, can be challenging for security
dealers and integrators who may
not be familiar with implementing Ethernet
networks. As with any network,
the ability to maintain system functionality
in the event of a device or node
failure is critical. The inherent capability
of Ethernet to have redundant transmission
paths, coupled with intelligent
fiber-optic-enabled Ethernet devices, all
but eliminates single-point failures.
Challenges and Benefits
The very nature of an Ethernet network
includes the ability to add or
drop data at specific locations along
the network. Ethernet networks offer
high data rates, long distances and the
ability to scale. They benefit from an
optical fiber infrastructure that allows
maximum system flexibility.
Taking advantage of an installed
analog video system on an Ethernet
network is the challenge. An interface
device must be used to properly format
the signals that are to be inserted on the
network into the proper Ethernet/IP
packet structure. Using video encoders,
the analog video stream is converted
into Ethernet packets that travel along
the network and can be treated as any
other Ethernet packet. Using Com-
Net's serial data-to-Ethernet converters,
commonly called a terminal server,
serial data is converted to Ethernet
packets. These devices add to the overall
cost of the system due to the added
electronics needed to digitize and packetize
the data, as well as having Ethernet
network hardware to now transmit
the data.
However, the added benefit is the
flexibility of viewing, storing and controlling
the destination of the video,
audio and data streams.
Ethernet standards specify that
Cat-5e/6 media is limited to a maximum
distance of 100 meters between
Ethernet devices. In instances where
two Ethernet devices are located more
than 100 meters apart and where
maximum bandwidth is required,
an optical fiber medium is used. Most
integrators are familiar with fiber-optic
equipment suppliers that provide
solutions for simple point-to-point
analog systems. However, those pointto-
point systems no longer meet today's
requirements.
Looking Ahead
As new Ethernet devices evolve, an Ethernet-
based system will soon be available
to meet the requirements of a state-ofthe-
art video surveillance network.
Fiber-optic suppliers also are evolving
and no longer solely focus on fiberoptic
transmission products. As the
security market evolves, companies'
communication networks are offering
a broader range of transmission products,
allowing them to play a larger role
in the retrofit market.
Legacy analog surveillance systems
are being upgraded to Ethernet/IP systems,
providing the user with greater
flexibility. In cases where fiber is installed
as the medium, simply installing
new Ethernet devices on either end of
the fiber will allow for the adaptation
of the new equipment into the network.
Many fiber-optic Ethernet devices can
use existing optical fiber, which enables
a seamless integration of these Ethernet
devices onto the existing fiber plant.
In the past, when coaxial or twisted
pair was used instead of optical fiber as
the medium for transmission, upgrading
a system to Ethernet or some other
form of digital transmission was a costly
proposition. The existing copper media
would have to be replaced, and optical
fiber would have to be installed. This not
only added extra cost to the system but
also had a major impact on timeliness.
Solutions are available to take advantage
of the existing cabling. Using Com-
Net's Ethernet-over-VDSL products, existing
cabling infrastructure can remain
in place. Any Ethernet devices—such as
a camera, an NVR or an access control
panel—can be directly connected to the
products' RJ-45 interface. The corresponding
Ethernet packets are transmitted
up to 1,500 feet on coax or 10,000
feet on twisted pair. The value proposition
is exceptional; no longer does every
upgrade require a total system retrofit.
This allows for a greater percentage of
the project budget to be allocated for
current and future system features.
In today's competitive market place,
offering a more cost-effective solution
gives an integrator a better chance
of securing a project. Dollars are not
spent "behind the wall" but instead are
dedicated to tangible user features.
As today's surveillance systems
evolve, no longer is the design simply a
point-to-point transmission of signals.
Different applications, from casinos to
parking garages, require more complex
system architectures. For the system
integrator, choosing optical fiber at
the beginning of the project gives the
end user a great amount of flexibility,
futureproofs the network and protects
the customer's investment.
Different topologies are achievable
by choosing the right transmission
equipment, from simple point-to-point
to ring. Partnering with a leading transmission
company with a broad solution
set offers today's integrator a wide variety
of solutions for customers' needs.