Network Bandwidth Calculator – Video Surveillance

REFERENCE DATA

Bandwidth Reference by Resolution

Typical bandwidth per camera under normal scene conditions. Complex scenes with high motion may require 1.5-2× these values.

Resolution	Codec	Per Camera	8 Cameras	16 Cameras	32 Cameras	Min. Switch
2MP 1080p	H.265	0.5 Mbps	4 Mbps	8 Mbps	16 Mbps	100Mbps
2MP 1080p	H.264	1.0 Mbps	8 Mbps	16 Mbps	32 Mbps	100Mbps
4MP 2K	H.265	1.0 Mbps	8 Mbps	16 Mbps	32 Mbps	100Mbps
4MP 2K	H.264	2.0 Mbps	16 Mbps	32 Mbps	64 Mbps	Gigabit
8MP 4K	H.265	2.0 Mbps	16 Mbps	32 Mbps	64 Mbps	Gigabit
8MP 4K	H.264	4.0 Mbps	32 Mbps	64 Mbps	128 Mbps	Gigabit
12MP Ultra	H.265	3.0 Mbps	24 Mbps	48 Mbps	96 Mbps	Gigabit

BEST PRACTICES

Network Planning Tips

Dedicated Surveillance VLAN

Isolate surveillance traffic on a dedicated VLAN to prevent it from competing with business network traffic. This ensures consistent video quality and simplifies security management.

Gigabit Uplinks

Use Gigabit uplinks between access switches and the core network. For large systems with 32+ cameras, consider 10GbE uplinks to prevent bottlenecks at the aggregation layer.

QoS Configuration

Configure Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize video streams over other traffic. Mark surveillance traffic with DSCP EF (Expedited Forwarding) for real-time performance.

Sub-stream for Remote Access

Configure cameras to provide a low-bitrate sub-stream (128-512 Kbps) for remote mobile viewing. This prevents remote viewers from consuming main-stream bandwidth.

WAN Bandwidth for Remote Sites

For multi-site deployments, calculate WAN bandwidth based on the number of concurrent remote viewers × sub-stream bitrate. A 10 Mbps WAN link can support 20-40 concurrent mobile viewers.

Fiber for Long Distances

For camera runs exceeding 100m, use fiber optic cable. Single-mode fiber supports distances up to 10km, making it ideal for large campuses, parking lots, and perimeter security.

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