My church is opening a second thrift store. In this former retail establishment there are ten cameras, made by HIKVISION. The cameras are POE, and all connect to a 24 connection switch with 16 POE connections.

The business network can "see" the IP addresses for the cameras, but the addresses are hard-coded and were apparently set by the previous owner. The IP begin with Verizon form addresses like 192.168.x.x. The Comcast network now in use has addresses like 10.xxx.xx.xx.

The camera client software is easy to use, but returns an error when I add a camera with the 192.xxx.xx.xx address. So, I cannot see the camera images.

The cameras are hard-mounted to the ceilings in various places. It is possible to humanly touch a couple of them without a ladder. They are protected by a hemispheric dome, which comes off. It appears that the cameras are fastened with three Torx screws to the ceiling.

The camera manufacturer website says that the cameras can be reset to factory defaults, but of course, these cameras cannot be identified by a model number. So, the procedure to reset the camera makes little sense, as there is no power connection visible, no power switch, no reset button, etc.

The thinking is that resetting the camera to factory default might allow it to regenerate valid IP addresses that then could be added to the client software.

So,
1. Does it make sense to attempt to reset all these cameras?
2. How in the world would I reset the cameras that are 20 feet up, outside, under the eaves?
3. If resetting is not required, how do I use the existing hard-coded IP addresses on each camera with the POE switch now connected to the Comcast Business network?
4. Can I connect a network video recorder to the POE switch to store the images?

Feel free to redirect my line of questioning!

I'd change the ip address of the Comcast router.

You can change the setup of the individual cameras by plugging a laptop into the POE switch the cameras are connected to and setting the laptop's ip address 198.168.x.x.

Then you open an internet browser on your laptop and type the ip address for the first camera into the browser's address bar. This will bring up that camera's login screen. Hopefully, the hikvision default login credentials are being used or you know what the current ones are. If not, resetting the cameras will be required.

I don't know how to reset them remotely. The one hikvision camera I have has a button on you have to physically press.

I like the idea of laptop to POE. How do I set the laptop IP (MacBook Pro) to some defined value?

you'll need a switch (any basic switch) in between or a cross over cable to hook it directly to the laptop.

Open network and internet settings, look for "Change adapter options"

RIght click on your adapter, choose properties.

Look for Internet Protocal Version 4 (tcp/ipv4) and go to properties. Change IP and subnet (probably will not need to change gateway). Try setting to 192.168.1.1 or 1.2 for starters (subnet address of 255.255.255.0).

quote:

The camera client software is easy to use, but returns an error when I add a camera with the 192.xxx.xx.xx address.

It would be immensely helpful to see the exact and full text of this error message.

It seems likely that you have two cameras trying to use the same IP address. Each device address must be unique within the same network subnet (a term of art for a group of associated addresses). More specifically, an IP address is divided into a "network part" and a "device part." The network part must be the same for all devices on the network, and the device part must be unique. Small networks, e.g. those IPv4 networks used in homes, are typically divided into a 24-bit network part, and an 8 bit device part, so you will see, for example: 192.168.1. for the network part, and .1, .2, .3, .4, and so on for the device part. Do not configure a newly-attached device with the same address (device part) as anything already on the network.

Another thing that may be happening is that the new camera is failing to acquire a dynamically-assigned address. There is a methodology defined to allow the dynamic configuration of devices attached to networks. This is called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP servers are often built into premises termination devices (often called a "cable box" or "router"). DHCP provides a pool of addresses that devices can acquire when they start up. If the pool has been emptied, no address will be acquired, and most devices will default to a fall-back address, one that is not necessarily suitable for the network. Typical default pool sizes I see for common premises devices is on the order of 10 or so. This pool can usually be changed in the control panel of these devices.

A PoE device can be reset/restarted by simply removing and replacing the ethernet connection, either at the device end, or where the power is injected into the cable (usually the PoE ethernet switch, but there are a variety of ways to add power to a network cable). Alternatively, the switch can be power-cycled. This will not necessarily fix either of the likely error conditions addressed above, nor will it cause the device to revert to its factory-default settings.

If the hub/switch is easily-accessible, I would pull all of the camera connections except the new one and see if it magically starts working. If so, plug in the older cameras, one at a time, to see where the conflict is. If not, then your problem if more likely something other than the network.

There are many other things that might be the cause of this failure including vendor licensing restrictions, but these elementary network errors should be investigated first.

And BTW, I think DonDraper is talking about Windows. Mac network configuration is done under Apple -> System Preferences... -> Network. You select the interface you want to configure, and enter the values you desire, or you may choose to attempt to acquire a DHCP lease. You can plug the laptop right into the same switch the cameras are on, the presence of PoE will not harm anything. There is a program on the Mac that will show you network traffic on the cable, it is a Terminal/command line program called "tcpdump." Interpreting the output of this program requires some understanding of network technologies, but it can be useful for anyone to see that there is indeed something happening on the network. Tcpdump must be run as a privileged user (root, or prefix the command with "sudo "). There are also free GUI network sniffer programs available in the App Store for those uncomfortable with a command line.

He's encountering cameras that have static IP's of a different network than his router/dhcp is currently using. He needs to physically get the cameras to reset them to default DHCP, or get a machine on that previous network subnet.

Another simple solution is to put in a router and use it to translate the addresses.
Basic NAT .

If you know the subnet the IP cams are on then all you need to do is set a desktop/laptop/computer to the same subnet and either do a network scan or use a Hikvision scan tool to find the cam ips then log on to each one and reset the IP.

WRT the 10.x.x.x vs 192.168.y.x issue, it is certainly possible to have two subnets configured on a single network segment, so on option is to add a 192.168.y.x address to the "server" (the device that manages the cameras). Then it will "see" both 10. devices and 192.168. devices without routing or other additional hardware.

This may be a bit simplistic but have you downloaded the SADP program to identify all the Hikvision cameras on your network? If the previous owner could give you the passwords to the individual cameras (or you could try the standard password(s) from Hikvision if they are older cameras. If you can get the password to open the cameras you can change the IP address and password to anything you want with this program.

Otherwise, I believe there is a Hikvision application that will reset the camera to factory default, I just cant remember where it is because I have never had to use it.

I believe the SADP Program will identify the cameras by model number.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I like the idea of laptop to POE. How do I set the laptop IP (MacBook Pro) to some defined value?

I don't know, architect may have answered that in his last paragraph, otherwise I'd Google it.

smschulz knows his stuff and basicly said to do what I suggested. He'd be the best person to answer you NVR question.

I'm not sure architect even read your post. You don't need a crossover cable to plug your laptop into your 24 port switch. His suggestions for unplugging the cameras at the switch to reset them won't reset any passwords, so you won't be able to reconfigure their ip addresses. I don't know why he's talking about a new camera and conflicting ip addresses when you clearly stated these are existing cameras and made no mention of a new camera.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I like the idea of laptop to POE. How do I set the laptop IP (MacBook Pro) to some defined value?

You can go to System Preferences, then Network, and on your MacBook you can static assign an IP address. You can assign a 192.168.x.xxx address.

If I remember right the HKVision by default have a 192.168.x.xxx address assigned. You can then access the camera using a browser, assuming you know the admin passwords (or factory defaults). Set them to DHCP/static assigned addresses. Otherwise, you’ll need that ladder to reset them to defaults.

The NVR should also be on the same network. Most have a discovery mode to find these cameras as they are ONVIF compatible and the NVR should find them.

Also be warned, if the cameras are not on current code levels the video may not work directly on the MacBook.

PM me if you need additional help, or I’m following this post too.

quote:

Can I connect a network video recorder to the POE switch to store the images?

Yes.

You can:
1. Use a SD card in the camera itself (if so capable and most are) - this is called edge recording.
2. Install VMS (video management software) on a network computer, such as Blue Iris (a popular consumer grade software) or something more robust ore even HikVision's own (IVMS-4200)
3. Most NAS units have available camera software as an app.
4. A standalone NVR (which is basically a single use simple computer with cam software on in and storage).

I would suggest trying some of the VMS software versions and see which one you like or willing to learn/configure/use to your satisfaction, many have a trial version but most will cost something but some have limited features or a camera limited for free. You just have to check them out.

Thank you all for the guidance. Much better than my good friend Google. I will likely try a few things out on Friday the next time I go to the store.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I like the idea of laptop to POE. How do I set the laptop IP (MacBook Pro) to some defined value?

The best way, long term, is to define a new "location" in System Preferences/Network. Then you can use those settings any time you want for setting up devices. I have a location set up for my MBP with a static address of 192.168.0.99 (the last byte can be anything except 1, which is typically the device's default address). I have another location defined with a static address of 192.168.1.99. And a third with a static address on my local network. I use a cheap 4 port switch for setups, connecting my MBP and the new device only, using the "location" that matches the device (that way it remains isolated from my active network). Then I set up the device, including changing its IP to my local network. Reboot it, and change my MBP to the local network static location, still on the 4 port switch, only two devices so it's not affecting my local network. When all is well with the new device, I plug it into an active switch on my local network.