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  • Deploying/maintaining a fleet of OAK-D cameras

How can a team deploy and maintain a fleet (20+) OAK-D devices throughout a facility? Would they all necessarily require a dedicated host or could they be corraled into a single server? Could this communication be Ethernet based?

Thank you!

    DrewBarfield

    Thanks for the interest DrewBarfield .

    So actually our soon-to-be-shipping OAK-D-POE model would perform well for this. It operates standalone, and takes Ethernet for both data (1gbps Ethernet) and power (802.3af).

    So for 20x OAK-D you could purchase 20x OAK-D-POE (can preorder here) and power them all via say a UniFi 24-port POE switch (here). The estimated ship date for OAK-D-POE is August, but we're hoping to get these out sooner than that.

    Here are some examples of me running 11 OAK-D-POE (or so) to my computer over my LAN at home:

    Note that OAK-D-POE always comes with the enclosure, I'm just testing several without it for expediency.

    And here's the OAK-D-POE itself:



    Thoughts?

    Thanks,
    Brandon

          (Just noticed Brandon's reply, I was a few minutes too late🙂)
          Hello DrewBarfield! For OAK-Ds, you would require host(s) to handle the incoming streams and forward that to the server. There are however other models (embedded, standalone OAK-D-WIFI and LUX-ESP32) that don't need a host machine and have ESP32 on the board. Besides that, we also have power-over-ethernet (POE) models which could be directly connected to the server - I believe this would be the best option for you. POE devices are still in preorder (link here) and should get shipped in August.
          Thanks, Erik

              Hi @DrewBarfield ,

              I just realized I linked to the wrong UniFi Switch! I accidentally linked to a non-POE version I think. Checking.

              Thanks, @DrewBarfield ,

              And here is a slightly-less-expensive POE variant, 24-ports with 250W POE (which is way more than enough; OAK-D-POE is under 6.5W per device), US-24-250W:
              https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Switch-Managed-US-24-250W/dp/B00OJZUQ24

              (It's also available from Ubiquiti directly, here, but appears to be out of stock there at the time of writing this.)

              And thanks for the complete list (will share my own complete version in a follow-up post, but for now, some notes). On that cable - often these all-in-one cables with the larger rubber sheeths do not fit into the IP67 glands - as the IP67 glands are designed for "Pro" installs - which usually means cables that are made on-site.

              So while you can use them with the device, it might not fit in the IP67 boot - resulting in not being able to use the IP67 boot - and thereby preventing the device from being sealed/waterproof.

              So what I'd recommend actually is something like TOUGHCable PRO, here with the connectors here.

              This allows you to make any length cable you need for the install.

              So if you do want pre-made cables, I'd recommend something like the Monoprice ZEROboot:
              https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13174&gclid=CjwKCAjwrPCGBhALEiwAUl9X0zPHFQvhCCCrgNlE-YjdGpgsar3Sey2ZM3G6JiU_akbKiaTVjGappxoC9CAQAvD_BwE

              Note that this is not shielded though, so would be recommended for indoor-use only. I can't seem to find a no-boot shielded, pre-made cable.

              And to be clear - some boots will actually fit inside the IP67 gland, but it often requires testing to find out which ones do (as in most IP67 applications a custom-length cable is made which then does not have a boot).

              Thoughts?

              Thanks,
              Brandon

              My homework is cut out for me. I'll post what I find. I have need for only two outdoor cameras ... though that should probably be more. I would like for all of the cables to be waterproof and shielded even indoor. I really need to get a building plan and estimate cable lengths first...

              @Brandon, do you know the dimensions and mass/weight of the OAK-D-POE and OAK-1-POE (with cases)?

              I've looked at depthai-hardware, but don't see that.

              Maybe these properties haven't been solidified at this time?

              Thank you!

                Thanks DrewBarfield , yes, standby I'll measure them. In the meantime though, I do know that the fully-packed gift-box weights for these are:

                OAK-D-POE in giftbox: 0.446kg
                OAK-1-POE in giftbox: 0.421kg

                I'll measure the devices alone as well and circle back.

                    Thank you @Brandon.

                    I think there is a market for a plastic or aluminum wall bracket that can hold either camera by the Ethernet port - if the solder connection (et al.) for the port is strong enough for the camera to sit on.

                    This could really simplify installation.

                    I'll try to make a drawing of what I'm proposing.

                    Thanks. Yes, this conversation reminded me that we should likely produce a wall-bracket or wall-mount for this. Or an adapter plate for a popular mount.

                    Speaking of which, I meant to say that the mount that you linked to looks great. I meant to buy some yesterday but forgot, so I'm ordering some now to test out.

                    Thanks again,
                    Brandon

                    @Brandon / @erik,

                    I hope this makes some sense. The image did not come out exactly as planned. However, it should convey the basic idea. The back plate screws to a wall stud. A hole must be drilled into the wall for the female Ethernet connector and cable. The camera sits on the male connector and a screw can be threaded into the ISO 1222:2010 camera threaded bore.







                    Thanks @DrewBarfield . I think I get it. One thing to note is the RJ45 is up/inside the OAK-D-POE so that would need to be taken into account. And in this use-case do you need th OAK-D-POE to be adjustable in azimuth/elevation angle?

                    Thanks,
                    Brandon

                    For my use case I would only need the camera to be normal to the wall with no need to turn. I'll be mounting them at an approximate 5ft. height.

                    Thanks. What do you think about this sort of mount? This is what we are concepting internally right now: