AMG Systems now offers a certified integration for Genetec Security Center that brings supported managed switches into the Genetec environment as native entities. The result is visibility into switch status, port activity, PoE control, alarms, and device troubleshooting from one interface.
For many security teams, the network is still one of the hardest parts of the system to troubleshoot without IT involvement. Cameras, intercoms, roadside cabinets, and other field devices may all depend on switch health, port status, and Power over Ethernet, yet that information often sits in a separate interface outside the main security platform. AMG Systems’ certified Network Device Management integration for Genetec Security Center is designed to close that gap by bringing key switch monitoring and control functions into the Genetec environment.
In the discussion, Brad Castillo interviews Toby Featherstone, Technical Services Manager, of AMG Systems about what the integration actually gives end users. The big takeaway is simple: users with Genetec Security Center can now add supported AMG managed switches as native entities and work with important switch information from inside the same platform they already use for day-to-day security operations.
According to AMG and Genetec, the integration supports AMG510 and AMG570 Series managed switches and is intended to provide visibility and control over key device functions from a single pane of glass.That matters because security operators do not always need full switch administration. What they often need is quick access to the few functions that solve common field problems. In the interview, Toby explains that once the plugin is installed, AMG switches can be discovered in Genetec Config Tool, added by IP address with credentials, and presented as a switch entity with child entities underneath it. Those child entities expose useful operational data and controls without forcing operators into a separate network management workflow.
One of the most practical examples is remote PoE control. If a camera locks up in the field, the operator may not need a truck roll or a full switch login. From within the Genetec environment, authorized users can turn PoE off and back on at the port level to reboot the camera or other remote device. In the interview, Brad points out why that is valuable: it is an easy action, but not always an easy action to perform when the switching layer is isolated from the security platform. Toby also notes that this keeps organizations from having to expose broader switch access to control room users when only a limited function is needed.
The integration also improves day-to-day troubleshooting. In Security Desk, users can pull switch entities and port entities into a tile view and see items such as switch model, hostname, uptime, link status, PoE state, interface traffic, interface descriptions, and error information. Likewise, real-time alerts, switch and port statistics, and the ability to control switch ports and PoE are all possible from within Genetec Security Center.
Another especially useful feature is the ability to work through ARP cache and MAC table information inside the Genetec workflow. That makes it easier to identify where a device actually lands on the network. If a technician knows the IP address of a camera but not the physical port, the ARP cache can help map the IP address to a MAC address, and the MAC table can then help identify the exact interface. That may sound like a networking detail, but in real projects it can save time when labeling is incomplete, documentation is outdated, or troubleshooting must happen quickly.
The AMG570 Series adds another operational layer through contact inputs and outputs. In the interview, Toby explains that the integration can show I/O alarm status and allow users to manually trigger outputs from inside the Genetec interface. That opens the door for use cases such as activating a wiper, washer, illuminator, or another field-connected device. He also describes how a tamper switch on an enclosure can trigger an alarm in real time inside Genetec, where it can then be tied into automation rules such as calling up a PTZ preset to view the cabinet.
There is also a practical cybersecurity and permissions angle here. In the interview, Toby explains that the integration uses an encrypted SSH tunnel for more sensitive information and SNMP for statistics and alerts, and he states that credentials shown during setup are encrypted once the entity is added to Genetec’s directory service. He also notes that permissions can be assigned on a granular basis so users or groups only get access to the switch functions they actually need. That is an important point for organizations that want operational simplicity without giving every operator deeper network administration rights.
Cost and licensing were also addressed directly in the conversation. Toby says the AMG plugin uses a single SDK license on the Genetec side, with an MSRP of $250, and that the license is not sold per switch. He further states that it can operate across AMG’s managed switch range without being tied to firmware synchronization requirements. Those are interview-specific details, so anyone planning a deployment should still confirm current pricing and compatibility, but the overall message is clear: this is positioned as an accessible, scalable add-on rather than a narrowly limited feature.
The broader value is that security teams increasingly need network awareness without having to become full-time switch specialists. Genetec describes the AMG Network Device Management integration as a way for operators to perform day-to-day monitoring and management tasks from a single window, while AMG positions it as a way to make switch state, control, and alerts more accessible inside the VMS environment. For organizations already standardized on Genetec Security Center, that can make the network layer far more visible and actionable than it has traditionally been.
AMG’s Genetec-certified integration is a strong example of where the physical security industry is headed. Users want unified workflows, faster troubleshooting, and simple recovery options that do not require jumping between multiple systems. By bringing supported AMG switch monitoring, PoE control, alarm visibility, and device-location tools into Genetec Security Center, the integration helps security and operations teams solve common problems faster and with less friction. For Genetec users managing distributed cameras, cabinets, and field infrastructure, that is a meaningful step toward a more efficient and more usable security ecosystem.
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