Hi. I'd like to add an external security camera to my setup which currently includes a Synology 220+ and a Netgear switch but not one that supports PoE. Does that mean that I cannot use an ethernet connected camera (i.e. I have to go down the WiFi route); or are there some ethernet cameras that can be powered separately to the network connection? Cheers
Hello! You can still use an ethernet-connected security camera even if your switch does not support PoE. You just need to use an additional power source for the camera.
One option is to use a separate power adapter that comes with the camera. This will allow you to power the camera through a nearby electrical outlet while connecting it to your network using an Ethernet cable.
Alternatively, you can use a PoE injector, which is a device that adds power to the Ethernet cable. You can connect the injector to the switch and the power adapter to the camera. This will allow you to power the camera through the Ethernet cable, which is convenient if you don't want to run a separate power cable to the camera.
When selecting a camera, make sure to check the manufacturer's specifications to ensure that it can be powered in this way. Some cameras may not support separate power and network connections and may require a PoE switch or built-in PoE support.