What Camera Network Management Tips Do You Have?

A member in our latest Networking class asked an introspective question:

"What were some of the issues you had to learn the hard way when managing the cameras on the network? [Tips/tricks that] if we do correctly from the beginning we will have fewer problems?"

Ethan mentioned documentation was key... not only details like IP addresses and passwords, but even logging when devices were taken down, firmware upgraded, or other seemingly minor details can be very valuable during later troubleshooting or for others trying to become familiar with the network.

So, what tips/tricks/lessons learned do you recommend?