Which device to use...?
Hi, I have a questions regarding which type of networking device to use for a particular situation.
I have a security camera system that works over IP. Each of the 16 cameras plug into ports on an NVR switch. The NVR streams to the Internet via a Netgear ProSAFE 8 Port unmanaged switch. So in recap, we have each camera, plugging into a port on the NVR and then streaming via Ethernet cable to a single port on the Netgear unmanaged switch. The switch has another cable that provides the IP address from the ISP's router.
Via a software application provided by the camera vendor, each camera is assigned a channel via IP address. Each camera also has a MAC address, but I cannot assign channels via MAC addresses - only via IP. Once manually set up, each camera will takes its place in the assigned channel lineup for viewing. In other words, camera 1 may be on channel 7 and camera 2 may be on channel 10, etc.
The problem is that when I have some sort of power outage, all the IP addresses get resigned by the switch and the cameras fall offline.
Hence, my cameras which may have been on x.x.x.1 to x.x.x.16, may now end up on new IP addresses such as x.x.x.17 to x.x.x.32 and so on. However, the channel is looking for the old IP addresses to make the connection for viewing.
From what I understand, there is no way to restrict IP addresses within the switch. So, I think my problem is that the switch is issuing IP addresses sequentially each time it power cycles and it never starts from x.x.x.1 again. The result is that the cameras can't find their hardcoded IP addresses again per channel.
What I would need is a device that issues IP addresses from x.x.x.1 to x.x.x.16 ONLY each time it power cycles. So, there would be no chance of getting an IP address beyond x.x.x.16. That way, the camera on channel 7 knows that it uses x.x.x.1 and it falls back into place.
My question is (and sorry for the long explanation) - what type of networking device should I use instead of an unmanaged switch to ensure I get the exact same IP addresses each and every time the device power cycles?
Thank you for your help,
Fulano
I have a security camera system that works over IP. Each of the 16 cameras plug into ports on an NVR switch. The NVR streams to the Internet via a Netgear ProSAFE 8 Port unmanaged switch. So in recap, we have each camera, plugging into a port on the NVR and then streaming via Ethernet cable to a single port on the Netgear unmanaged switch. The switch has another cable that provides the IP address from the ISP's router.
Via a software application provided by the camera vendor, each camera is assigned a channel via IP address. Each camera also has a MAC address, but I cannot assign channels via MAC addresses - only via IP. Once manually set up, each camera will takes its place in the assigned channel lineup for viewing. In other words, camera 1 may be on channel 7 and camera 2 may be on channel 10, etc.
The problem is that when I have some sort of power outage, all the IP addresses get resigned by the switch and the cameras fall offline.
Hence, my cameras which may have been on x.x.x.1 to x.x.x.16, may now end up on new IP addresses such as x.x.x.17 to x.x.x.32 and so on. However, the channel is looking for the old IP addresses to make the connection for viewing.
From what I understand, there is no way to restrict IP addresses within the switch. So, I think my problem is that the switch is issuing IP addresses sequentially each time it power cycles and it never starts from x.x.x.1 again. The result is that the cameras can't find their hardcoded IP addresses again per channel.
What I would need is a device that issues IP addresses from x.x.x.1 to x.x.x.16 ONLY each time it power cycles. So, there would be no chance of getting an IP address beyond x.x.x.16. That way, the camera on channel 7 knows that it uses x.x.x.1 and it falls back into place.
My question is (and sorry for the long explanation) - what type of networking device should I use instead of an unmanaged switch to ensure I get the exact same IP addresses each and every time the device power cycles?
Thank you for your help,
Fulano
ASKER
Lee, an NVR switch is a "Network Video Recorders", which are very common devices in the security camera world. I did misspeak however, its not an NVR that my cameras plug into, its a PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch, which are needed for cameras that extend over 100 feed from the switch.
ASKER
CORRECTION...my cameras plug into a PoE switch (Power over Ethernet). NOT a NVR switch, which is a "Network Video Recorders."
Your problem lies with the DHCP server in use. What are you using for DHCP and what is the least length? Based on your situation, you probably should create reservations on your DHCP server for each of the cameras. That way, you're assured that no other device with get assigned those iP addresses.
Another thing, you are using some sufficiently sized UPS units, right?
Another thing, you are using some sufficiently sized UPS units, right?
Actually you can assign static ips to cameras.
On your DHCP server, ensure to reserve the range of all those cameras. In your case, i think you should reserve range x.x.x.1 to x.x.x.16.
On your DHCP server, ensure to reserve the range of all those cameras. In your case, i think you should reserve range x.x.x.1 to x.x.x.16.
ASKER
I'm not sure what you mean by "DHCP Server." There is no actual server. I get the main IP address from the router, which goes into the Netgear switch. That gets translated to 16 other addresses by the switch itself.
Where would this server be?
Where would this server be?
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ASKER
Gentlemen, you ask really good question that made me re-evaluet how my camera system gets its IP addresses. Originally I though the NetGear switch issued the IP addresses based on what it saw in terms of MAC addresses, but that seems not to be the case.
Coincidentally, while all my testing was going one the PoE Switch failed to work. That was the cause of my cameras falling offline. So, at least we now know the cause of my root problem. The cameras are all on again and the PoE has been removed from the system.
Thats said, I believe that the DHCP server is the NVR. It has to be, because there is nothing else that can issued IP addresses in this system. So, if I do reconnect the PoE (which is doubtful) I would look into setting up Static IPs for all the cameras and avoid the DHCP ordeal.
The two posts that made me think this issue through the most were from Samuel and from Masnrock, so I'm going to close out the question and split the points evenly.
Coincidentally, while all my testing was going one the PoE Switch failed to work. That was the cause of my cameras falling offline. So, at least we now know the cause of my root problem. The cameras are all on again and the PoE has been removed from the system.
Thats said, I believe that the DHCP server is the NVR. It has to be, because there is nothing else that can issued IP addresses in this system. So, if I do reconnect the PoE (which is doubtful) I would look into setting up Static IPs for all the cameras and avoid the DHCP ordeal.
The two posts that made me think this issue through the most were from Samuel and from Masnrock, so I'm going to close out the question and split the points evenly.
ASKER
Thank you both for the help! Good points from both of you.
You realize there is a very easy way to determine which device is the DHCP server?
Plug in a laptop. Then run IPCONFIG /all and see what DHCP server is listed.
Plug in a laptop. Then run IPCONFIG /all and see what DHCP server is listed.
ASKER
Thank you Lee. Much apprecaited.
Ignoring that since in 23 years as an IT professional I cannot recall someone talking about an "NVR" switch, Network switches (unless they are high-end managed switches) do not issue DHCP address/IP Addresses.
The question is, what on your network does? Any DECENT DHCP server will allow you to create reservations based on the MAC address ensuring the cameras always get the same IP. Alternatively, set the camera IPs statically.
Full disclosure, I don't deal with IP camera systems often.