PoE Switching, UPS & Network Design

Why PoE Budgeting Matters

Every IP camera, access control reader, and intercom panel draws power from the network switch through PoE (Power over Ethernet). A 24-port switch might advertise 400W of PoE budget, but with 16 cameras each drawing 25W at peak, you're already at the limit. Add a few access points and door controllers, and the switch starts dropping devices.

We calculate exact PoE requirements for every device on the network, add headroom for peak draw and future expansion, and select switches that won't run out of power under real-world conditions. This is one of the most common causes of "cameras going offline" that we see in systems installed by general IT contractors.

UPS Planning for Security Systems

Security systems are most important during emergencies — which often coincide with power outages. A properly sized UPS (uninterruptible power supply) keeps your cameras recording, your doors locked (or unlocked, depending on fire code), and your network connected during outages.

Network Rack Organization

A clean network rack isn't just aesthetics — it's maintainability. When every cable is labeled, every patch panel is documented, and every switch is accessible, troubleshooting takes minutes instead of hours. We've taken over plenty of systems where the first step was untangling a "rat's nest" of cables before we could even identify what was connected.

VLAN Design for Security

VLANs (virtual local area networks) create logical separation between different types of traffic on your network. For security systems, this means cameras can't be accessed from office computers, access control traffic is isolated from guest Wi-Fi, and each system type gets guaranteed bandwidth.

A typical security VLAN layout includes separate segments for surveillance cameras, access control devices, intercom systems, management interfaces, and regular business traffic. We configure inter-VLAN routing rules so systems that need to communicate can, while maintaining strict isolation where it matters.

Platforms We Deploy

For most security-focused networks, we deploy Ubiquiti UniFi managed switches and gateways. The platform offers the right balance of enterprise features, remote management, and value. For environments requiring higher-end firewall capabilities, we work with Fortinet and Cisco Meraki.