blakem

I believe most all cameras can be programmed to have a static IP.

Yes that will work but in my opinion it is the less desireable configuration. You should plug all cameras in the POE ports of the switch. Plug the NVR on the non-poe port of switch. If you want to access the NVR from the internet then plug the router in to a non-POE port of the switch. Basically I would want my NVR on the same switch as my cameras. Your suggested configuration uses the switch in your router and the new switch the cameras are on. You can plug computers and stuff in the router's switch or the remaining non-POE switch but I think I would just plug my computer in the router.

Well I got the camera up and the view is pretty good. I had it pointed more downward in the first pic and then aimed it more at the walkway on the second pic. I knew this dynamic scene would be difficult for my cheap camera, but it does ok. I am hoping to slowly build a system and will relocate this cheap one somewhere else later. So my question is it reasonable to get a 2.5mm lens to replace the 3.6mm I have now? I guess I thought I could get a better view of the ground and path with the wider angle. As it is now it is hard to make out someones face unless they look right up at the camera so I figured the wider angle would be more useful. Any thoughts?

Thank you, I was thinking up high in the corner would be best. I will have to run a network wire temporarily through the door and tape/rig it up the camera in several different places to try it out. I had planned on aiming it more downward to only get part of the entry pathway but mainly in front of the door. That should limit how much sunlight the camera will see(on the ground) since the porch is covered. The door faces north so no direct sunlight on the camera. I will just have to see how the exposure looks since the subject will be in backlighting, hopefully no silhouettes. I will upload a picture of the final position once I get it up. Thanks, Blake.