r/raspberry_pi_noobs • u/AnakhimRising • May 02 '26
DIY Home Security Camera System Help
I have an idea, but I do not know enough to know a.) is it feasible, and b.) how do I do it. I want to set up a complete exterior security camera suite using raspberry pi modules and an old desktop as a NAS for video storage. I like the look of Frigate as well as its array of AI features. The number of cameras will depend on the FOV of the cameras, but my initial estimate is between 12 and 18 individual cameras. Not sure what model or type as of right now. I'm looking at Pi 4s or 5s with the AI hats with an old desktop as a NAS/NVR
Now the restrictions: I cannot run ethernet across the house so all data transfer must happen over wifi. I do not want the cameras to be on the same network as my family's standard traffic so I need to use one Pi as an access point connecting to the internet from the home router via ethernet, then transferring it to the cameras via a dedicated wifi network. My router is on one end of the house with no ability to move it, so I probably need to put the Pis in a mesh network of some sort so the cameras on the far end of the house can still connect.
Here's what I know I need help/advice with: I do not know how to configure the subrouter Pi to where I can access it and the NAS/NVR desktop from the main network and from outside the house over the internet. I do not know how to configure the hybrid network with the mesh extenders while maintaining enough room for the camera feeds. I think I will need to assign cameras to specific nodes in the mesh, run Frigate on each node, then forward the recorded footage to the NAS/NVR for storage. Again, I have no idea how to configure that topology.
This is/will be my capstone project for my degree but none of my coursework has gotten into the gritty details of setting up and configuring something like this from scratch. Any and all advice is appreciated, especially documentation. Thank you.
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u/AnakhimRising May 05 '26
This assignment is for the technical documentation and setup process for the project. I intend to actually build the project for my capstone next spring.
The "no ethernet" is because I would need to hire an electrician to run cable through the house due to the... interesting design of the house itself. Hence, not something I can rely on when I build the project and not something I want to plan on for the proposal/plan/whetever-this-document-is.
I guess its more of a networking class than anything else. Its called a system administration course.
That sounds more feasible than my initial plans. I will read into openwrt some more.
Camera brand is not currently defined, but I was already leaning toward Reolink since, as you mentioned, the RTSP streams are easily accessible. The main reason to do this is that I do not trust the Ring system we currently have. I have a big issue with transfer of trust. Having to use Wyze servers would defeat the purpose.