[Editor's Note: This is the seventh in a series of articles that
is being published jointly between Security Technology & Design
and SecurityInfoWatch.com. This article originally appeared in
the August issue of Security Technology & Design; earlier
articles appear on the website and are linked at the bottom of
this article.] Networks allow devices such as network cameras,
servers and PCs to communicate with each other, sharing
information and, in some cases, a common Internet connection.
Network designs can take many forms and vary in terms of
performance and security. It is useful to think of building a
network as a layering process, beginning with the physical
cabling configuration and connections. The number of cameras,
the physical environment, the sensitivity of the application,
and the protocols and software will impact the operation of the
IP surveillance network. Types of Networks Networks can be local
area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs) or wide
area networks (WANs). Each network