Every network relies on a central device that creates the network and allows the devices on your network to communicate with each other. You may want to share an internet connection on your network, or join together a wired Ethernet network and a wireless network. You can add a separate device to your network to perform each of these functions, or you can use a device that combines several functions.
If you want to add wireless cameras to an existing Ethernet network, you can simply connect a wireless access point to your Ethernet switch. This will give your wireless devices seamless access to the rest of your network. Wireless routers that have a bridging feature can be used for the same purpose, although in most cases you can’t use them to share an internet connection at the same time. A notable exception is Apple’s Airport Extreme, which has two Ethernet ports so that you can bridge an Ethernet network and share an internet connection on both networks at the same time. If you are using a wired router and a wireless router on the same network, make sure the DHCP and NAT features are only enabled on the router that connects directly to the internet, as these features will often be enabled on both routers by default.
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Choosing a system
Types of camera
Progressive scan
System demands
Example systems
Budget
Home or small business
Professional
Network cameras
Choosing network cameras
Network hardware
Ethernet cabling
Local networks
Setting up network cameras
Setting up wireless cameras
Network camera notes
Analogue cameras
Analogue cabling
Quad processors
Choosing input hardware
PCI input cards
Firewire inputs
USB inputs
Network video servers
Remote monitoring
Set up guide
Internet connection
Public IP addresses
Setting up your router