Building a new security system, need advice

[ArmoredDragon 0]

Hi all! I'm trying to build a new security system for my house, and I want to do so without any monthly fees. I'm intending for it to be built mainly around cameras, and I'm looking for advice from somebody who is well into this stuff already. Ideally the following:

 

- 4 IP Cameras, all hardwired to a POE switch.

- The cameras will have motion sensing zones to watch windows and mostly ignore the floor (don't want to be recording when the dog is walking around.)

- The system should be recording any motion it sees 24/7 (cameras will only be in the common areas, not in the bedrooms; two indoor and two outdoor.)

- The whole thing should be able to be remotely armed or disarmed via Android smartphone. When it is armed, it merely notifies me that it found motion and sends pictures over MMS when motion is spotted.

- I should be able to look at what the cameras see while I'm away from the house at any time via an Android smartphone.

- Ideally the most recent 50GB reduced resolution recordings should be backed up to a cloud provider in real-time, with the local server capable of retaining higher resolution older footage much longer.

- Android tablets should be able to work as the security monitor (instead of a tv screen) while in the house.

 

Trying to do all of this for $500 to $750. I think this is reasonable given the following:

 

- My house is already fully hardwired with gigabit ethernet, and I don't mind running more ethernet to more places (I build networks for a living.)

- I already have a gigabit POE switch.

- I have a 12TB raid array (9TB usable) in a server that is running Ubuntu Server.

- Running Windows software on the Linux server is fine (I can virtualize Windows inside of Linux no problem as this is a 16GB system.)

- I have a 20mbit upstream WAN link.

- I already have a bunch of Android tablets.

 

Pretty much the main thing I'm lacking are cameras. I'm hoping I can get some cameras like these:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Hikvision-DS-2CD2132-I-Outdoor-Security-Camera/dp/B00EJXK0I6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398058197&sr=8-2&keywords=DS-2CD2032-I

 

And rely mostly on free software to do the above. The question is, what software would I use? My main priority is to avoid monthly fees of any kind, and avoid costly software. Also it would be nice (not required) if a software solution was available for this:

 

- I have an Android tablet with a free lifetime of 200MB per month data, and it sits around the house all day. In the event of a power failure, I'd like the security system (which is on a UPS) to be able to alert me even in the event of a blackout, and it would do so via this tablet. If the regular ISP link is up (cable ISP) then it should always go over that instead though.

- Hopefully do all of the above without having to open any ports on the WAN link on my router (this is optional as I know most services for this would want a monthly fee; just I want to make sure to avoid having my vital server exposed to the open internet.)

 

Also I live in the USA, and I am wanting to find stuff I can get on Amazon (Dahua and others can be obtained with free two day shipping since I have Prime, and returns for dead cameras is dead easy.)

 

Thanks for any advice!