How to Connect Cameras in Another Building Without Digging a Trench
How do I connect cameras in another building without digging a trench?
Updated November 2026 · Prices update live from silarius.com
Use a point-to-point wireless bridge: one unit on each building with a clear line of sight between them carries the network across, with no trench. Silarius bridge pairs cover up to 1 km (3,280 ft), 4 km (13,000 ft) or 5 km (16,500 ft); add a PoE switch in the far building to power its cameras.
Silarius wireless bridges (sold as pairs)
| Bridge pair | Band | Range | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIL-P2P2400MB7900FT24GHZ | 2.4 GHz | up to 1 km / 3,280 ft | 300 Mbps | $100.00 |
| SIL-P2P300MB13000FT58GHZ | 5.8 GHz | up to 4 km / 13,000 ft | 300 Mbps | $105.00 |
| SIL-P2P900MB16500FT58GHZ | 5.8 GHz | up to 5 km / 16,500 ft | see product page | $119.00 |
Range and speed as stated in each product title.
How much bandwidth do the cameras need?
Plan about 3 Mbps for each 5MP camera and about 6 Mbps for each 8MP (4K) camera recording H.265 around the clock (the same figures as our storage guide). Ten 5MP cameras need about 30 Mbps, well inside a 300 Mbps bridge with room for live viewing.
What you need at each end
- A bridge unit on each building, aimed at each other with nothing in the way: trees and roofs block the signal.
- In the far building, a PoE switch for the cameras, such as the SIL-A8POE1G120 (8 Gigabit PoE+ ports, 120 W), or an industrial switch like the SIL-INDSW8P1G2SFP for an outdoor cabinet.
- In the main building, a free port on the switch or recorder for the near bridge.
Other ways to get there
Fiber, if there is already conduit
Switches with SFP slots link over fiber with a module such as the SIL-FSFP10KM (10G, single-mode, up to 10 km), for the 10G SFP+ ports on the SIL-B16M3POE1G300.
No link at all: record straight to the cloud
If the other building has its own internet, Silarius X cameras record straight to Silarius Cloud with no recorder, gateway or bridge, and you watch both buildings in one app.
Wi-Fi for the yard
To cover an open area with Wi-Fi rather than link two points, use an outdoor access point such as the SIL-OUTAP1G128.
Related guides
Questions
How do I get cameras to another building without running cable?
Use a point-to-point wireless bridge pair with clear line of sight, then a PoE switch in the far building to power the cameras.
How far can a wireless bridge reach?
Silarius bridge pairs are rated up to 1 km (3,280 ft) on 2.4 GHz and up to 4 km (13,000 ft) or 5 km (16,500 ft) on 5.8 GHz, with clear line of sight.
How many cameras can a wireless bridge carry?
A 300 Mbps bridge has room for dozens of cameras: plan about 3 Mbps per 5MP camera and 6 Mbps per 4K camera on H.265.
Do I need line of sight for a wireless bridge?
Yes. The two units must see each other; trees, buildings and roofs in between cut the signal.
Do Silarius products ship free?
Yes. Every Silarius-brand product ships free in the US, at any order size.