---
title: "Check the required hardware for your Markerless system"
canonical: "https://help.vicon.com/space/VanguardDoc/261393372/Check%20the%20required%20hardware%20for%20your%20Markerless%20system"
format: markdown
---
The following hardware is required to set up a Vicon Markerless system and has been tested with Vicon Shogun Markerless.
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## Vicon Vanguard cameras
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Vicon Vanguard cameras acquire video in the infrared spectrum. Use a maximum of 10 Vicon Vanguard cameras in your markerless system.
If you want to track props, your system must also include 6–10 optical Vicon cameras.
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## Markerless IR lights
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The markerless tracking uses infrared (IR) cameras and good tracking requires adequate, even IR illumination.
Vicon IR lights provide this illumination. For even illumination, your Vicon Markerless system uses 8 x IR lights.
For setup information, see the [*Vicon IR Lights Quick Start Guide*](https://vicon-help.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/markerless/pages/261721779) and *Getting started with your Vicon Markerless system*, both available from the [Vicon Markerless systems documentation](https://help.vicon.com/space/markerless).
## Camera switch
A [D-Link DGS-1520-28MP](https://www.dlink.com/uk/en/products/dgs-1520-layer-3-stackable-smart-managed-switches) switch provides power and data connection for the Vicon Vanguard cameras. It can also provide power and data connection for 6–10 optical cameras (for prop tracking, if required).
Connect each of the Vanguard cameras (up to 10) to the switch using Category 6 (Cat 6) Ethernet cables. You may also optionally connect 6–10 Vicon optical cameras, using the appropriate Ethernet cable (eg, Cat 6 for Valkyrie or Cat 5 with a ferrite for Vero).
Connect the switch to the PC using two Cat 6 Ethernet cables to connect two SFP+ ports to the PC.
Connect the switch to a Vicon Lock with a Cat 6 Ethernet cable.
## PoE++ injectors
A PoE++ injector connected to an appropriate power source provides power for each of the Vicon IR lights in the Vicon Markerless system.
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## Vicon Lock
A Vicon Lock provides a sync signal to the IR lights via RCA connectors from the GPO ports on the Lock.
It also connects to the primary switch (which is directly connected to the PC) via an Ethernet cable.
## PC with 10 GB dual port X550 card
The tracking PC running Shogun Markerless provides a 10 GB dual port X550 card to which the camera switch is connected, using Cat 6 Ethernet cables. For details about the Markerless PC, see the [Vicon Markerless PC specification](https://help.vicon.com/space/PCSPEC/8585218/Vicon+PC+specifications#Vicon-Markerless-PC-specification).
For information on setting up the network adapter, see [Configure the Markerless system network adapter](https://vicon-help.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VanguardDoc/pages/261392793).
## Cables and connections
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Each IR light has the following connections:
- 1 x RJ45 Ethernet connection, which connects the IR light to a supplied PoE++ injector, using a supplied RJ45 adapter. To connect the lights to the power source, use Cat 5 Ethernet cable or better (these cables are yellow if supplied by Vicon).
- 1 x RCA connection for the synchronization signal. An RCA-to-RCA phono cable carries the sync signal from the GPO output ports of the Vicon Lock.
A Cat 6 Ethernet cable connects the Vicon Lock to the camera switch.
2 x Cat 6 Ethernet cables connect the camera switch to the PC.
Cat 6 Ethernet cables connect the Vanguard cameras to the camera switch.
You may also optionally connect 6–10 Vicon optical cameras, using the appropriate Ethernet cable (eg, Cat 6 for Valkyrie or Cat 5 with a ferrite for Vero).
## Vicon Active Wand for system calibration
To calibrate your Vicon Markerless system, you use a Vicon Active Wand.
## Optional components
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If you want to track props, your Vicon Markerless system must also include current Vicon optical cameras (eg, Vero, Valkyrie or Viper). These enable you to track props to which passive markers are attached.
If required, you can use Vicon SuperNovas for tracking props but your system must also include Vicon optical cameras.
