Re: IP cameras on ring topology, not star

[Nomen Nescio <nobody@xxxxxxxxx>]

Pat Coghlan said:

>I'm looking for information on equipment that can/should be used to
>install IP video cameras on poles around a perimeter (1-2 km, or more).
>
>Token-ring routers typically require all drops to be plugged into a
>panel (operates in token ring fashion, but physically is a star), which
>is not practical with 100 cameras running around a ring, feeding traffic
>back to recorders.
>
>The equipment needs to be economical (hub on each pole).

But in a subsequent message, you said:

>Cost is not an object.


Let me start by saying that I am not a data network guru, and some of the
stuff you are talking about is way beyond my skill level.  However, if cost
is not an object, there may be an alternative that will do the job for you.

I consider your ring topology to be a very bad idea from an engineering
standpoint, because a cable fault will wipe out some or all of your
cameras.  However, if you insist, then perhaps the solution is to think of
this as a cable television system.

Cable systems, especially fiberoptic systems, routinely carry hundreds of
television channels on a single backbone.  They can also handle lots of
cable modems, if two-way data communication  is needed.  For an analog
video system, RF modulators could place each of your cameras on a different
channel, and for 1-2 km, coax should be adequate.  I'm guessing something
comparable would be possible for fiber and/or network cameras, but that is
beyond my level of expertise.

Just something to consider.

- badenov