VIDEO SURVEILLANCE DATA NETWORK

A network device has a first interface to allow communication with at least one network-capable camera and a second interface to allow communication with a network. A processor allows the device to receive video data from the network-capable camera receive commands for the cameras from the network and communicate them from the network. The network device may also have a video encoder to allow network-incapable cameras to communicate across the network. A method of managing a video surveillance data network receives data from a network-capable camera and registers the camera with a network management device. An identification number for the camera is provided and video data from the camera is transmitted across a network. Requests for communication with the camera are screened to only allow authorized users to access data from the camera.