Network Cabling Mystery
I was at a small client yesterday and ran into a puzzling situation. He has an eight camera IP survielence system at his store. This is a small store with only one Pc in addition to the camera system. Up to a week ago, they couldn't get any Comcast internet service so they used an ATT Air card installed on their Sonicwall firewall/router for web access. That worked fine.
Since Comcast came in, they installed their router in front of the Sonicwall and the PC has continued to work properly with web access going through Comcast.
The original camera system installer couldn't get the system viewable remotely (probably due to the limited bandwidth) so he just left it viewable locally at the NVR. I was called in to get them viewable remotely over the Comcast connection. I noticed none of the camera's network ports showed a link light or blinking LED's showing data activity. I checked the NVR and updated it's network settings to work with Comcast. There is a built-in POE switch on the back of the NVR. I viewed the cameras on a monitor connected to the NVR so I know they are connected and recording. The network port for the Comcast connection on the NVR doesn't have any LED's lite either. I checked the Comcast router and the NVR cable does not have a Link Light and does not show activity but I can view them remotely on my smartphone.
With my Windows 7 laptop plugged into the Comcast router, I can ping and log into the DVR without a problem.
I called the NVR vendor and he had never heard of a situation like this. The cabling is all Cat5 and appears to be terminated properly. I put a cable tester on the cable from the NVR to the Comcast router and it passed a cable test. Any idea why there are no link or activity lights?
Since Comcast came in, they installed their router in front of the Sonicwall and the PC has continued to work properly with web access going through Comcast.
The original camera system installer couldn't get the system viewable remotely (probably due to the limited bandwidth) so he just left it viewable locally at the NVR. I was called in to get them viewable remotely over the Comcast connection. I noticed none of the camera's network ports showed a link light or blinking LED's showing data activity. I checked the NVR and updated it's network settings to work with Comcast. There is a built-in POE switch on the back of the NVR. I viewed the cameras on a monitor connected to the NVR so I know they are connected and recording. The network port for the Comcast connection on the NVR doesn't have any LED's lite either. I checked the Comcast router and the NVR cable does not have a Link Light and does not show activity but I can view them remotely on my smartphone.
With my Windows 7 laptop plugged into the Comcast router, I can ping and log into the DVR without a problem.
I called the NVR vendor and he had never heard of a situation like this. The cabling is all Cat5 and appears to be terminated properly. I put a cable tester on the cable from the NVR to the Comcast router and it passed a cable test. Any idea why there are no link or activity lights?
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ASKER
Port enabling has no effect on link lights. yes, the ports have been enabled and remote access has been attained to the DVR from outside.
Why are there link lights on the DVR network connections or the DVR cable plugged into he Comcast router?
Why are there link lights on the DVR network connections or the DVR cable plugged into he Comcast router?
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Yes, I agree the system is working, but for future troubleshooting, I'd like to get the Link light and Network Activity LED's working so I can tell if the connection is working properly like on every other router & switch I've ever worked on.
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The link light for the DVR cable that plugs into the router is off. The Pc that plugs into the router has a link light.
This makes me believe the cabling used for the DVR does not meet the Cat5E specs in some manner. I've reported it to the DVR installer but have not received a response.
Any comments on this opinion?
This makes me believe the cabling used for the DVR does not meet the Cat5E specs in some manner. I've reported it to the DVR installer but have not received a response.
Any comments on this opinion?
I've requested that this question be deleted for the following reason:
The question has either no comments or not enough useful information to be called an "answer".
The question has either no comments or not enough useful information to be called an "answer".
ASKER
Sorry, I never received a suggestion that answered my question. If you want to open this up to additional experts and allow them to review the situation, I'd appreciate it.
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ASKER
The DVR is an ICrealtime NVR-708MP http://store.icrealtime.com/products/cat-nvr700mp-series/NVR-708MP.html
The unit is fully functional except the Link Lights (LED's) on each network connection at the back of the NVR never light up at all. The unit has been turned off and on, and the lights never light up at all - even during the boot up process (Camera POE connections and network connection).
The NVR is setup for online use and I've installed the app on the owner's smartphone allowing him to see the cameras from outside the location so i know the connections are setup, ports are forwarded and working properly.
This should answer most of the questions. Let me know if you have any suggestions other than deciding the NVR is defective (Which may be true).
On the Comcast router, where the NVR's network connection plugs into the Comcast router, that cable's connection does not light up on the back of the router either, just on the front of the router showing an Ethernet connection is live on that port. I've moved the NVR's cable on the Comcast router to another network connection on that router and the NVR's connection LED's never light up. The PC plugged into that router does light up as normal.
All cabling is cat5E. All cable connections look good. i've put a cable tester on the DVR cable and it tests perfect on all connectors.
I've spoken with the vendor and they have no explanation.
Here is a doc on the unit: http://icrealtime.com/docs/networksetupoverview.pdf
The unit is fully functional except the Link Lights (LED's) on each network connection at the back of the NVR never light up at all. The unit has been turned off and on, and the lights never light up at all - even during the boot up process (Camera POE connections and network connection).
The NVR is setup for online use and I've installed the app on the owner's smartphone allowing him to see the cameras from outside the location so i know the connections are setup, ports are forwarded and working properly.
This should answer most of the questions. Let me know if you have any suggestions other than deciding the NVR is defective (Which may be true).
On the Comcast router, where the NVR's network connection plugs into the Comcast router, that cable's connection does not light up on the back of the router either, just on the front of the router showing an Ethernet connection is live on that port. I've moved the NVR's cable on the Comcast router to another network connection on that router and the NVR's connection LED's never light up. The PC plugged into that router does light up as normal.
All cabling is cat5E. All cable connections look good. i've put a cable tester on the DVR cable and it tests perfect on all connectors.
I've spoken with the vendor and they have no explanation.
Here is a doc on the unit: http://icrealtime.com/docs/networksetupoverview.pdf
ASKER
The cabling runs through the walls. i have not changed the cable because I'd have to run a cable through the store and it would be a safety hazard with customers and employees.
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ASKER
Ok, I'll consider it to be a problem with the NVR. Thanks for all your suggestions.
ASKER