Can you clarify what you need assistance with regarding the lab network layout?
Can you clarify what you need assistance with regarding the lab network layout?
Hello everyone! I’m getting ready to install a new camera system and network setup in our lab. Having Ethernet cameras makes it easy to reach any device from any computer, which is exactly what we need. Our data collection happens in bursts, usually every 10 seconds or so, so the load spikes occasionally but stays relatively low overall. Right now, I’ve built a basic configuration where each camera connects via its built-in network port and a USB3-ethernet adapter for the university network and internet. My goal is to place all cameras on a single network so they’re reachable from any computer on that network, while also allowing our computers to connect to the NAS—especially since we need it to be accessible through the university network. I also plan to link some power supplies to this setup.
I’m facing a challenge: the IT team is blocking direct connections of the cameras to the university network, and they’ve already caused an issue when one camera was accidentally joined, taking over an important IP. They’re not very cooperative, so I want to avoid repeating that. I’ve tried talking to other IT staff, but they’re unhelpful.
My question is: should I add a PCIe ethernet card or USB dongle on each computer and connect them to both networks simultaneously? Doesn’t seem right. Is there a cleaner way to handle this? Also, we might need a faster NAS—probably because our current one isn’t fast enough for the bursts of data we’re handling. I think a regular consumer unit with at least six drive bays would work, but I’m not sure.
We already have a Gbit switch in the lab, which is several years old. Should we consider upgrading it? The cables I’ll be using are Cat6, S/STP, and we’re dealing with a lot of electromagnetic interference. The price difference between Cat5/5e/6 from our store is minimal. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Also, keep in mind I’m not very familiar with networking—I’m just starting out. Thanks!