Ideally yes, a separate network would be best or at least a separate VLAN. But here is the important thing to remeber the Luminetworx™ PoE Lighting systems does not require you to do so. We have clients that have networks designed as in the example above and flat networks. Luminetworx™ does not have an issue with latency. Becuase of the hidden mesh network that operates on the back end between accessories and the lights and completely independant of any local network.