Home server network setup for semi-separate IP Cam network

Scougar · 9 Apr 2025 at 22:32

So I have a Tiny PC with IP Cameras from Reolink. I'm a little concerned about potential network traffic from my Blue Iris install across the router affecting all the other traffic in the house, so I'm thinking of somehow segregating traffic/networks.
The camera's really need to be accessible from the web via the Reolink app.

What I'm looking for is to limit traffic going across the router from the camera's, unless they are being actively looked at by the Reolink app (and maybe the external blue iris app but not that worried about this option). I'm open to creating other networks, the PC acting as a router etc for JUST the cam's to get IP addresses.

My PC has two ethernet ports (a 1gbps and a 2.5gbps).
The cameras are POE and attached to a Reolink POE switch.
The Reolink POE switch : (8x 100mbps cam ports + 2x 1000mbps uplink ports).

> 1st uplink goes to the house router

> 2nd Uplink goes to the Tiny PC

Tiny PC is running Blue Iris. If it matters, Dedicated SSD for OS, 14TB Data Centre HDD for current video (currently crazy under used), A 1GB HDD for saved 'event' clips. It would be nice to maintain the ability to get updates from the web.

sja360 · 14 Apr 2025 at 23:45

Is the reason for better security or better network performance ?

I guess straight off you want the cams going to the Reolink POE switch then a port from that to the Tiny PC running blue iris.

At this point the tiny pc can be made more secure. Then use the tiny pc's additional network port to connect to your internet router so things can be more secure.

Scougar · 16 Apr 2025 at 00:55

sja360 said:
Is the reason for better security or better network performance ?

I guess straight off you want the cams going to the Reolink POE switch then a port from that to the Tiny PC running blue iris.

At this point the tiny pc can be made more secure. Then use the tiny pc's additional network port to connect to your internet router so things can be more secure.

Better network performance.

Currently have 6 people in the house each doing their own thing.

I had originally put the 2.5Gb/s into the Tiny PC to use for NAS, and was planning to have the NAS store the video and eventually host other files. I think that might be a while off, so.... I don't see why I can't do what you are suggesting.

Bluecube · 16 Apr 2025 at 08:00

I’m not familiar with Blue Iris but other NVR software I’ve used allows you to limit the FPS of the cameras and also just to record on motion detection. If you can select such options then do so as they’ll greatly minimise the amount of video related network traffic from the cameras

Armageus · 16 Apr 2025 at 08:17

To be clear, it might be best to Draw a diagram of how everything is connected - as personally don't think you should change anything, don't overcomplicate things!

If the Tiny PC and Cameras are all on the same switch, then any traffic between them shouldn't leave the switch, so will have no impact on the router/rest of your network.

The only time you'll have additional traffic going via the uplink to the router is if you are pulling a video stream (either direct from the Reolink web page/app, or via Blueiris), and even then a video stream takes a tiny amount of bandwidth.

Just as an example, this is my work CCTV Server - it has 131 cameras recording, as well as however many users viewing footage - it rarely even reaches 1Gbps bandwidth usage - If you've only 8 cameras I doubt you even max out 100Mbps

Scougar · 21 Apr 2025 at 19:16

Armageus said:
To be clear, it might be best to Draw a diagram of how everything is connected - as personally don't think you should change anything, don't overcomplicate things!

If the Tiny PC and Cameras are all on the same switch, then any traffic between them shouldn't leave the switch, so will have no impact on the router/rest of your network.

The only time you'll have additional traffic going via the uplink to the router is if you are pulling a video stream (either direct from the Reolink web page/app, or via Blueiris), and even then a video stream takes a tiny amount of bandwidth.

Just as an example, this is my work CCTV Server - it has 131 cameras recording, as well as however many users viewing footage - it rarely even reaches 1Gbps bandwidth usage - If you've only 8 cameras I doubt you even max out 100Mbps

I'll have a better dig into the bandwidth usage and get a diagram done.