Installing an IP Camera system is straight forward and can be achieved by anyone with a basic understanding of computers.  However it can also be a frustrating experience if things don’t go according to plan.  ipCCTVcameras offer a wide range of IP cameras from different manufacturers and no two cameras are alike. However the setup procedure for each camera in our range is essentially the same. The complexity of setup can vary and the range of questions and prompts asked will vary from one camera to another. This document does not attempt to offer a comprehensive description of the procedure but describes the chronological order the steps to be taken in order to setup an IP camera for the first time. This procedure assumes that you have not been allocated with a fixed IP address.  This is most often the case with domestic users and small commercial companies.

Plug camera into the network into the LAN either in its planned position or at a convenient access point on the network. Insert CD supplied by Camera manufacturer and run set-up program.  This CD will typically automatically search and find all cameras that are manufactured by the that specific manufacturer.  Search for the camera that has been supplied with a default IP address and double click.  This will access the video stream of the camera and give access to the set-up screens for the camera. Select camera configuration. Now write down the IP address and assigned to the camera and /or assign a new IP address for the camera.  This will require you to change the last three digits of the IP address string only.  Our recommendation is that this be a 3 figure number. Now assign a port number to the camera.  The port number is the port that allows outside access to the camera through your firewall in the router.  There are approximately 60000 numbers to chose from.  Our recommendation is that you use the last three digits of the IP address and use a 1 in front of the number ie. 192.168.1.233 has a port number 1233.  If you know your DNS service IP address number or DNS server provider details ie. Host name, user name and password you can enter these details now if you know them and are prompted to provide them.  Most people will not know these details so the next step is to make sure that the camera is able to communicate beyond the firewall through the router.  To achieve this you will need to make a small change to your router configuration. Now access your router.  If you have not done this before or are setting up for the first time you must so the following: a. Following the instructions plug in the router to your network and to the telephone connection b. Plug in the set-up disc and follow the setup instructions. Check using the ping command that you can access the router first before accessing the router using your browser command typically http://192.168.1.1 c. Once you have accessed the router follow the Wizard commands (assuming they are provided) to as to ensure you have Internet Access. Do not proceed until you have got this.   d. Now setup an email account if you have not already got one. You will need this to receive account information relating to your DNS service when it is setup. e. Finally you need to tell the router that you want to allow traffic between your camera and the outside world beyond the firewall of your router and visa versa. To do this you need to access Port forwarding’ in your router. To setup you must firstly refer to your router manual as the procedure for this varies from one router to another. Typically the table associated with port forwarding will be found in either NAT, security or firewall setting.  You will be required to enter the IP address of the camera plus the internal Port and external port number. These will both be the same.  i.e. 1233 in our previous example. It is essential that you enter this information before you proceed any further with the installation. Once the ports follow through is set you are able to set up your DNS service.  This is the service that allows you to find your camera at any time and place on the network even though you do not have a fixed IP address.  The DNS service is your access point to the network and always knows the latest address assigned to your camera.  In order to obtain a DNS address you must register with the DNS service. Once you have provided the details you will be given an address which looks the following www.ipcctvcamera.axiscam:1233  Where ipcctvcamera is a name given by us.  AxisCam is the name given by the DNS service and the port number is the port of the camera on our router.  Many camera manufacturers provide a DNS service of their own.  The procedure is very different amongst manufactures so please follow instructions carefully.  Some allow you to access the DNS service using the CD provided once a button is pressed on the camera (Axis) whilst other require you to access the service using a button in the Config setup screen.  If your camera does not have a DNS service provided then you can obtain a DynDNS service free of charge from www.dyndns.com.  This is an excellent free service and extremely reliable. Once you created an account you must create a Host Name’ from the many services available.  Once this is created you can then enter the host name, account name and passwords in the space provided in the camera Config page of the camera. Once the DNS service details are entered and saved we strongly recommend you reboot both the router and the IP camera.  Though manuals for both products do not require this we have found from experience this eliminates problems that often occur when testing for the first time. Now that you have setup the DNS service you should be ready to test remote access to you camera.  Ideally you should use a different access point to test the link as a problem called Loopback can occur where access to your own router is denied when going out through the router and then back in. Under the circumstances access to the camera is denied even though your configuration is correct.  If you unsuccessful with your attempts to access the camera then check ensure you have followed the instructions of the manufacture exactly. These instructions are for guidance only so that you get the procedure in the correct order. If you still have difficulty please call ipCCTVcameras for assistance. We will help you to check that you have followed the procedure. If this is unsuccessful then ipCCTVcameras will refer you to our support agents for online assistance and field support.   Back to Support