Verkada is launching the GW31-E Outdoor Wifi Gateway. The GW31-E makes it simple to deploy Verkada anywhere with power and Wifi, including hard-to-wire locations such as parking lots, fence lines, and school campuses.
This new device signals the company’s recognition that customers sometimes have places on their property where they would like to deploy Verkada, but are constrained by infeasible or cost-prohibitive cable runs. While cellular deployments are a great solution, the cost of data can quickly add up. The GW31-E allows for cost-effective perimeter deployments by avoiding both trenching cable and recurring data costs. Simply give the GW31-E power and Wifi, and it will provide PoE to any Verkada devices.
The GW31-E is the easy button for securing perimeter locations. The IP66-rated device can be installed outdoors without a NEMA box and easily tap into power from AC receptacles, light poles, or solar/batteries. Organisations with vast outdoor spaces can add a directional antenna to boost signal strength when connecting to Wifi APs at a distance.
With 60W of power across dual PoE outputs, the gateway can directly power two connected devices without a switch. It can even support a PoE++ device like the CH52-E Multisensor or CP52-E PTZ, allowing for 360° coverage from a single install point.
According to Verkada, bringing the gateway online is effortless. Simply open the Command IOS app, pair with the gateway via Bluetooth, and join a Wifi network – just as easy as setting up a smart speaker. In addition to Bluetooth, users can set up the gateway in Command with a wired uplink or through the local server page. The simplicity of setup extends to downstream devices as well. The gateway instantly recognises any Verkada device that’s plugged in – no need to input serial numbers or scan QR codes.
Once gateways are online, organisations can manage them in the cloud-based Command platform from any device and any location. IT admins can remotely run diagnostics like packet capture and speed tests, receive alerts if connectivity is lost, and monitor the health of downstream devices.
Troubleshooting remote deployments can be cumbersome, often requiring IT admins to go on site and dismount a device just to reboot it or access its local settings. With the GW31-E, admins can remotely power cycle connected devices from Command. If the gateway itself is offline, it will automatically power cycle itself after 30 minutes. Best of all, organisations can access an offline gateway’s Wifi settings via Bluetooth – no need to dismount a device that’s high up on a pole.
Example use cases include:
● Parking lots and equipment yards: The GW31-E can easily mount onto a light pole and connect to an outdoor Wi-Fi AP on the main building. This allows organisations to install cameras and horn speakers to deter theft, loitering, and illegal dumping.
● Gates and guard shacks: Security gates and guard shacks are often hard to wire due their distance from the main building. A single GW31-E can power both a Verkada camera and access controller or intercom, enabling use cases like LPR unlock.
● Fence lines: Easily install perimeter cameras and horn speakers to protect against trespassing. For high security areas, organisations can add on video alarms so that monitoring agents can talk down intruders and dispatch police.
● School campuses: Install cameras on light poles to monitor school grounds and fence lines. The Wifi gateway can also provide connectivity for intercoms at emergency blue lights and badge readers at muster points.
● Utilities and public works: Facilities like water treatment plants and waste disposal sites often have vast open-air properties with small buildings that have internet. The GW31-E allows for cameras to be installed in outdoor locations to protect expensive assets and look after worker safety
