With ever-rising levels of crime and antisocial behaviour and increasing threats of terrorism, the security of buildings is essential in their protection and continued operation.

A key element of a security strategy for the protection of non-domestic premises is the use of closed circuit TV systems (CCTV). Systems to date have traditionally been based on analogue devices and transmission, with cameras connected via co-axial cable. However, the latest systems, referred to as IP CCTV, use digital technology communicating over some form of internet protocol network.

Internet Protocol (IP) is a network protocol which is used on Local Area Network’s (LAN’s), Wide Area Network’s (WAN’s) and the internet. It comprises a suite of protocols which is layered, with a link layer, network layer, transport layer and application layer. Each layer plays a part in sending and receiving raw data using specific network hardware and  transferring and routing information in a reliable format.

The benefit that a layered protocol provides is that with a new network application or hardware device, a protocol only needs to be created for that application or piece of hardware.