Need to change switches

[Chase]

My system currently has 7 cameras installed and running however I know I want to install more cameras sometime soon. My switch has all ports occupied so I would need to change switches. My dilemma is do I go for a 16 port switch or do I add a twin bv tech switch.

I have linked below IPCamPower 16 port which has seemed to get good reviews here. Is there something else I should look at? I want unmanaged and fan noise is not a concern for me.

IPCamPower IPCP-16P2G-AF2 16 Port POE Switch W/ 2 Gigabit Uplinks for IP Security Cameras

https://www.amazon.com/BV-Tech-Port-Switch-Ports-Uplink/dp/B005GAATOG

If I went with the above bv tech, which is what I have now, how would I add this to my system?

Right now my ports are used like this

Uplink: To the router
Port 1-7: cameras
Port 8: To the NVR

Open to suggestions.

 

[Mike A.]

I don't know these switches in particular, but in the second case you'd just connect two ports on the switches with a patch cable. Doesn't matter which ports on most these days. The uplink looks to be 10/100 too so no difference there. The disadvantage is that you lose the ports connecting the two switches.

The first switch has gigabit uplink which would be better with 16 cams (but may not make a difference if the NVR is only 10/100) and you save the ports without the links between two.

 

[cage771]

I have BV Tech switch that is very similar to the IPCamPower switch that you posted. It's been solid. The benefit of having two is that if one fails, you can at least move the most important cameras around and keep recording. It looks like you have the space.

 

[Chase]

Yeah space isn’t an issue. I see the point you make about having two if one fails.

 

[bp2008]

The most efficient way to link two PoE switches together when they only have one uplink port is to link them to a separate gigabit switch (it doesn't have to support PoE so it can be super cheap). Connecting them both to a gigabit switch also allows a single gigabit-capable host to pull 100 Mbps from each of them for a total of 200 Mbps, which would not be possible with daisy-chained 100 Mbps switches.

Trouble is, then you have three switches sitting there where before you only needed one. So a single 16 or 24 port switch (preferably with 2+ extra gigabit ports for uplink to router and NVR) would be cleaner. Several brands, including BVTech have 16(+2) configurations at decent prices. IPCamPower has a 24(+2) configuration also at a decent price.

 

[cage771]

@bp2008 - very true. Given what I do for a living, I tend to cost effectively over build a bit for "what if" scenarios, such as a failed switch or a bad port. One is none, two is one type thinking. Of course, this depends on many factors such as use and location (home, work, cabin, etc). I have the BVTech 16(+2) and it has been solid. Very decent price.

I recently had to move my head end at home due to a basement project. I was given the go ahead to buy what I needed to reroute all of the cables and put in a proper installation. Ended up putting in a Ubiquiti router with dedicated ports for a 16 port BV Tech POE switch for cameras and a pair of 24 port gig switches (one for each floor of my house). Added proper keystone patch panels and 3 Ubiquiti APs. Oh, and a new rack. My network is probably overkill for any home or small business.....but once I finish adding all of the network drops and additional cameras, I will be at 70-80% capacity (currently around 50%). And if something fails, I can easily patch around the failure until the parts arrive.

 

[Chase]

How long have you been using your bv tech 16

 

[cage771]

How long have you been using your bv tech 16

@Chase - had to look up when I ordered it - end of October 2017. It wasn't always a dedicated camera switch as my network has been completely redone since then (CAT6 installed, get rid of wireless extenders and Ethernet over Powerline adapters, increased ISP from 60 down up to full Gig, got rid of a consumer WiFi router, etc), but it has been in use since the day I received it. Rock solid. I can say the same about the TP Link and Trendnet 8 port switches that I use on my bench work stations for testing and configuration. I have not used anything from IPCamPower, but I have a feeling that a lot of these are rebrands of the same circuits (no proof, just a feeling).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQHD54L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1