Networking & Connectivity
The Network Behind
Every Great Install
Security cameras, access points, and smart devices are only as reliable as the network they run on. We carry the same professional-grade hardware we use on our own installs — not products picked for margin or brand recognition.
A security system is only as good as the network it rides on. Ajax cameras stream high-resolution video continuously. PoE switches need to deliver stable, uninterrupted power to cameras and access points. And your router sits at the center of everything, routing traffic from dozens of devices while the built-in firewall protects it all from the outside.
We've built this collection around hardware we trust on professional installs. These aren't consumer products with slick packaging that fall apart after a year — they're the hardware installers specify when a customer's livelihood depends on it working right, every time.
Why Your Network Determines Whether Your Security System Works
Ajax cameras connect over PoE Ethernet or Wi-Fi. When the network is congested, misconfigured, or underpowered, cameras drop offline, recordings get corrupted, and alarm verification fails — exactly when you need it most. A correctly specified PoE switch ensures cameras receive full rated wattage. A router with proper firewall rules keeps IoT devices on isolated VLANs, away from the rest of your network. Access points with seamless roaming mean mobile users and wireless sensors never miss a handoff. The security system is the top layer — the network is the foundation.
What Does Each Product Do?
Find the Right Category
Connects your modem to all devices. Controls what gets in and out, separates IoT from your main network via VLANs, manages VPN access, and handles multi-WAN failover. The first and most important line of defense.
Extends Wi-Fi coverage throughout a property — ceiling or wall mounted, PoE-powered. Ajax wireless sensors, mobile apps, and Wi-Fi cameras all connect here. Supports seamless roaming for consistent signal across multiple APs.
Powers and connects wired devices — Ajax PoE cameras, NVRs, access points — over a single Ethernet cable. Choose a switch with enough wattage per port to support your camera lineup without underpowering any device.
Patch cables, keystones, cable management, wall plates, and installation hardware. The unglamorous stuff that makes the difference between a clean professional install and a rat's nest of cables.
How It All Fits Together
A Complete Security Network Stack
From ISP to Camera — Every Layer Covered
Each layer connects via a single Ethernet cable run. The PoE switch delivers both data and power to cameras and access points simultaneously — no separate power adapters needed at each device.
What to Look for in Each Category
Many routers charge monthly fees to unlock firewall features, VPN, or content filtering. The best professional routers include next-gen firewall, DNS-over-HTTPS, intrusion prevention, VLAN segmentation, and WireGuard VPN permanently at no extra cost. Multi-WAN failover is critical for any install where internet continuity matters — it lets you connect two ISP sources and fail over in under a second if one drops.
For multi-AP deployments, seamless roaming (802.11k/v/r) ensures devices hand off between access points without dropping connections. Built-in DPI content filtering at the AP level means you don't need additional hardware to control what devices on the network can access. Free cloud management — not a paid subscription — is the baseline expectation for professional-grade APs today.
A switch rated at 30W per port doesn't mean every port delivers 30W simultaneously — the total power budget caps the whole switch. Size your switch so the combined wattage of all connected cameras and APs doesn't exceed 80% of the total budget. Layer 3 managed switches add inter-VLAN routing without needing a separate router, which simplifies infrastructure on larger installs. Perpetual PoE keeps devices powered during switch reboots — important for cameras that must stay online.
🛠 Pro Tip — Use Ajax's Calculator to Size Your PoE Switch
Ajax provides a free Video Device Calculator that estimates bandwidth and storage requirements for your camera layout. Use it to determine total PoE draw before selecting a switch — then add 20% headroom. If you'd like a full network stack recommendation for your project, contact us and we'll spec it out.
Home Automation & Control4
The Network Is the Foundation of Every Smart Home
As a Control4 Gold Dealer, every smart home system we design depends on a stable, professionally managed network beneath it. Control4 controllers, touchscreens, dimmers, thermostats, door locks, and AV equipment all communicate over your local network. A misconfigured router, an underpowered switch, or a Wi-Fi dead zone doesn't just inconvenience — it causes your automation to behave unpredictably. Getting the network right is the first step of every Control4 project we take on.
A properly segmented network keeps your Control4 system, Ajax security devices, PoE lighting, and personal devices each on their own VLAN — isolated from each other but able to communicate where needed. This is how professional integrators prevent a guest's phone from interfering with your lighting scenes, or a compromised smart TV from reaching your security cameras. The products in this collection are specified with exactly this kind of multi-system home in mind.
Control4 wireless keypads, handheld remotes, and mobile apps require consistent Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home — including areas that consumer mesh systems often miss, like equipment rooms, garages, and outdoor spaces. Professional access points with seamless roaming ensure that as you move through the home, your devices stay connected without dropping scenes or losing control of AV sources.