PoE 802.3af inline injector with controller

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itxtme

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#231841 15-Mar-2018 14:32

We are wanting to control gear using an inline PoE 802.3af compliant injectors to run cameras. We are wanting to have control over the power supplied from the inline injector. Cost is a sticking point otherwise I would go with managed switches, but equally we only use 1 port for the camera so a switch is overkill and increases price too much for the end client.

We currently use a power timer but that limits the resets to a specified time, it would be nice to send a command down the LAN address to recycle the PoE and there force restart the camera.

We have explored the idea of a plug based wifi controlled switch for the poe injector power supply. They are unreliable, and take too long to setup.

So has anyone come across something that I have not seen?

hio77

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#1977207 15-Mar-2018 14:37

i'd go down the route of esp based power management. for a cost effective option.

For a reliable in business option, go for a proper switch to manage this all.

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BarTender

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#1977234 15-Mar-2018 15:56

I would go for one of the small 5/8 port PoE manageable switches. They would be your cheapest option since if you want something that is manageable it already and I haven't seen a single PoE injector that's manageable. As it would need a full IP stack, and probably VLAN support too. All of those features automatically exclude any passive / unmanaged switches.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHTPL1001/TP-Link-TL-SG108PE-8-Port-Gigabit-Easy-Smart-Switc

Or there is a 5 port 100Mbit version on PB as well.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHTPL1027/TP-Link-TL-SF1005P-5-Port-10100Mbps-Desktop-Switch

This one looked promising but it needs a PoE supply to run it, but if you get APs with PoE injectors included then it could work.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHNGR2709157/NETGEAR-ProSAFE-GS105PE-5-Port-Gigabit-Web-Managed

Anything with smarts and is manageable is mutually exclusive from anything cheap.

itxtme

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#1977236 15-Mar-2018 15:59

What do you mean by esp based power management hio77?

I am just looking at MikroTik RB960PGS hEX 5Port Gigabit PoE Router currently which seems like it would fit all of our requirements. At $130+gst its almost twice the price of the current set-up, but tidy comparatively, and would likely be much more flexible.

itxtme

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#1977238 15-Mar-2018 16:06

Thanks BarTender, have looked quite extensively at switch options, but given its a single port for most installations its not very cost effective for our use. Size can be an issue in some installations also, that where the smaller injectors are good, but when a camera goes down its sometimes hard to cycle the power depending on where the socket for the install is! Looks likely I am dreaming of a device that doesnt exist.

I am going to do some more research on the MikroTik RB960PGS to see if it could fit our use. I like the idea of openWRT on it as it gives lots of flexibility, just unsure if the USB works with a 3g/4g dongle :)

cisconz

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#1977308 15-Mar-2018 19:03

itxtme:

I am going to do some more research on the MikroTik RB960PGS to see if it could fit our use. I like the idea of openWRT on it as it gives lots of flexibility, just unsure if the USB works with a 3g/4g dongle :)

Depending on the dongle, it does.

Hmmmm

itxtme

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#1978969 17-Mar-2018 10:38

I have found these iNet Gl-AR750 units. With the option to have PoE added this is exactly the type of thing I am looking for. Wondering if anyone has used their gear and can comment on its quality? I run custom bash scripts on openWRT already, so like the idea of staying with that as the OS.

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sparkz25

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#1978970 17-Mar-2018 10:41

itxtme:

We are wanting to control gear using an inline PoE 802.3af compliant injectors to run cameras. We are wanting to have control over the power supplied from the inline injector. Cost is a sticking point otherwise I would go with managed switches, but equally we only use 1 port for the camera so a switch is overkill and increases price too much for the end client.

We currently use a power timer but that limits the resets to a specified time, it would be nice to send a command down the LAN address to recycle the PoE and there force restart the camera.

We have explored the idea of a plug based wifi controlled switch for the poe injector power supply. They are unreliable, and take too long to setup.

So has anyone come across something that I have not seen?

why are you needing to reboot the cameras? are they locking up or what?

itxtme

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#1979241 18-Mar-2018 01:54

Basically yeah. Not all the time, but they are in remote locations and we look after them so having the flexibility of doing this would reduce site visits. I

sbiddle

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#1979248 18-Mar-2018 08:05

If you have cameras locking up my advice would be to look at better quality cameras. I've never ever seen a camera lock up!

sparkz25

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#1979256 18-Mar-2018 10:03

sbiddle:

If you have cameras locking up my advice would be to look at better quality cameras. I've never ever seen a camera lock up!

pretty much nailed it on the head right there,

but i would be looking in to why they are locking up? how old are they and so on, can you still remote in to them? what brand are tye?

itxtme

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#1979261 18-Mar-2018 10:31

Thanks, they are special use cameras that send data only, its the sending of data that jamns up camera continues to work, probably secondary to our network setup at each location. I will try one of these iNet units for the flexibility.

Funnily enough on your point reguarding cameras going down, unrelated, the house cameras and wifi have failed twice in the last week due to the PoE switch stopping sending power to the passive devices, all unifi gear so decent quality stuff! The switch kept functioning just stopped power, will take a look at the logs when I get a chance, but it does happen.