Cams and internet connectivity at driveway gate

[Virga]

In a couple of other threads I had asked about a long outdoors network cable run (330 feet outdoors + 70 feet indoors to wiring center = 400 feet approx total) to a driveway gate, and camera location(s) at gate. The consensus was use FO for the networking run. The camera count clicked in at seven.

I’ve been looking at gate controls and this unit has been proposed:
Gate control

My first thought was that the above gate control could just connect to the cams PoE switch at the gate (there is power there).
However, the gate control needs web access to work as intended, and the point of the two-NIC Blue Iris PC is to isolate the cams PoE switch from the internet.
So the gate control would be isolated from the internet if connected to the cams PoE switch, which defeats the purpose of connecting it.
The only software related to the above gate control is an app that runs on mobile devices, so the set up is different from BI on a PC with two NICs.

How might I handle internet connectivity for the gate control?
Trying to avoid a monthly subscription based cellular connection, if possible.

 

[TonyR]

Personally I don't think I'd want a "security gate" that MUST have Internet access.......LAN access okay but not Internet.

 

[looktall]

I assume you have a switch at either end of your fibre run.
Are they managed switches?
Can they handle vlans?
You could configure two vlans on the switches.
One for your cameras and bi network and the other for the gate controller.
Then on the switch inside your house you would have a connection from that switch to your home network allowing only the gate vlan to pass out to the internet.

If they can't do vlans you could still do the same as above.
You can run multiple subnets on a switch anyway and the two subnets should remain separated but you could run into some unexpected issues.

 

[Keizer]

I just ran fiber optic cable to my detatched shop. I needed an AP out there and also wanted to add more cameras to my isolated switch. I ended up running two FO lines out there. You may have to do the same for your set up.

 

[Virga]

Thank you @TonyR, @looktall, and @Keizer.

If I can run one FO cable, I may as well run two, once I figure out which FO cable to run. If I teach myself how to terminate FO, I can use existing ¾” conduits. If pre-terminated, then I have to wait until I can get a bigger conduit in the ground. Pre-terminated also would need bigger holes through the entire path.

In the current set up, after my internet service router I have one PoE switch for cams, and another PoE switch for other devices. I also have multiple regular/non-PoE switches. All existing switches are unmanaged.

Running IPcams on a dedicated PoE switch on a two-NIC PC was simple and elegant. If I get into vlans, there is a learning curve. I’ll get whichever switches are necessary.

The reason for internet connectivity for a gate control is remote notifications and remote operation. I am now considering a simpler setup, at least initially, that just opens the gate with a remote control (same as a garage door opener), and a keypad to punch in an access code. I could rely on my cams (when installed at gate) to alert me when somebody shows up at the gate. Current setup of Blue Iris and Pushover notifications (with ZeroTier) works fine.

 

[looktall]

If I teach myself how to terminate FO

good luck with that.

 

[danweber1]

Terminating fiber is not DIY. Specialized equipment is needed to line up the fibers and perform the splicing.

 

[Keizer]

I would just buy pre-terminated fiber optic lines in the lenghts you need. Easy Peasy!

 

[tangent]

In a couple of other threads I had asked about a long outdoors network cable run (330 feet outdoors + 70 feet indoors to wiring center = 400 feet approx total) to a driveway gate, and camera location(s) at gate. The consensus was use FO for the networking run. The camera count clicked in at seven.

I’ve been looking at gate controls and this unit has been proposed:
Gate control

My first thought was that the above gate control could just connect to the cams PoE switch at the gate (there is power there).
However, the gate control needs web access to work as intended, and the point of the two-NIC Blue Iris PC is to isolate the cams PoE switch from the internet.
So the gate control would be isolated from the internet if connected to the cams PoE switch, which defeats the purpose of connecting it.
The only software related to the above gate control is an app that runs on mobile devices, so the set up is different from BI on a PC with two NICs.

How might I handle internet connectivity for the gate control?
Trying to avoid a monthly subscription based cellular connection, if possible.

If you do fiber optic, pretty much the only practical option is to buy pre-terminated cable. Which is something you can order in custom lengths.

You have two easier connectivity options:
1. Power Line networking adapters (HomePlug AV2, probably netgear or tp-link brand; G.hn is another standard; check reviews at smallnetbuilder). Assumes gate is powered from house on the same electric service. This is a relatively cheap and easy option, it's worth testing. If it doesn't work, return the adapters.
2. Point to point wifi. Assuming you have line of sight to the gate, you can use special longer range outdoor wifi adapters to create a bridge that basically works like a cable.

As far as the intercom, think about whether or not you want it to have a keypad or if remote opening / prox cards would be enough. If not a Dahua Villa door station could work.

Alternatively, the GDS3710 | Grandstream Networks may be a little better than the proposed intercom.

 

[Virga]

Thank you @looktall, @danweber1, @Keizer, and @tangent.

I always assumed that FO would require a degree of precision which would be beyond my abilities. So I take the point well to use pre-terminated cable. I was tempted to attempt it because I have ¾” conduits that I was not smart enough at the time to upsize.
I have more projects already in the hopper than I am likely to finish in my lifetime. I do not need to add a new project to upgrade my skills, and could better spend the bandwidth adding cameras, building on what I have already implemented. So thank you all for steering me away from do-it-myself FO.

My preferred option is to run two pre-terminated FO cables in a suitable sized conduit. I have already added one 1 ½” conduit running over 200’, leaving around 100’ to be done at one end, and perhaps 20’ at the other. There was work happening near me, and I availed of the opportunity to get installed what I could at the tail end of one day, and 1 ½” is what they were working with. Now I am waiting for a trenching project I have brewing, to finish the rest.

What type of FO cable should I use for my two gate FO runs, length aside? Sources to buy pre-terminated FO cable from? I have the 1 ½” conduit in place, and am willing to drill a hole in the concrete block foundation of my house. Once through the wall, the run to my wiring room is straightforward through the crawl space and up through preinstalled empty conduits.

@tangent I am looking into the gate controls you suggested.

 

[tangent]

was tempted to attempt it because I have ¾” conduits that I was not smart enough at the time to upsize.

If you needed to pull/blow unterminated fiber, you'd be best served paying someone to terminate the fiber.

 

[Coldair]

I have a doorking gate opener and it just calls out via phone to our cells and we can open it from there

 

[Virga]

Alternatively, the GDS3710 | Grandstream Networks may be a little better than the proposed intercom.

@tangent thanks for suggesting the GDS 3710.
I found a marketing and technical webinar on it from seven years ago.
With this cam & gate control it looks like the "server" software is available via download.
I am hoping that means this cam-control can be operated off the same internet-isolated PC that BI runs on,
The only functionality that would be lost would be remote notification and remote operation.
If I can get this to talk to BI (and it seems that is possible) notification via BI+ZeroTier+Pushover should be enough for me, at least for starters.

With the GBF PL963PMBL-POE control that has been proposed to me, any communication or configuration changes with/to the control is only via their server which then talks to the control, so internet connectivity is necessary ... seems limiting.
It comes down to: every installer adopts one model, and that is their thing.