DVR LAN Set UP of Internal IP Address for Port Fowarding For Remote Viewing

The first step in viewing a security camera remotely is to incorporate the DVR into the Local Area Network. Once incorporated into the WLAN, assign a port to the DVR, this will allow port forwarding of data from the DVR to a remote computer or cell phone. The process begins by connecting a CAT 5 cable from the Router to the DVR. Once the Cat 5 cable has been connected press the menu button on the face of the DVR.

Select network settings from the menu. This will provide a network setup menu. The IP address in the network settings is the internal address the DVR has set for itself to communicate with the router. Our objective is to have the router assign the IP address for the DVR rather than have the DVR assign its own address.

To do this, change the IP mode to DHCP, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP is an auto configuration protocol used on IP networks, preventing more than one device from being assigned to the same internal IP address. In DHCP mode the router will automatically assign an IP address to the DVR. After selecting the DHCP mode hit the menu button or save and a new IP address will be generated.

Once the new IP address has loaded, select menu and go back to the network settings. Here you will notice the IP address has been changed. Change the IP Mode back to Static. This will keep the internal IP address for the DVR the same, so it does not change on the local network.

Static and Dynamic IP addresses are important to understand. Static IP addresses are used on the internal network as well as the external network. Static IP addresses are constant or remain the same. Dynamic IP addresses are constantly changing. The internal IP address can be set for static as well as dynamic, also know as DHCP.

External IP addresses are provided by your Internet Service Provider. Most businesses have a static IP address. While residential is served by a Dynamic IP address unless specifically requested from the service providers.

While in the Network Setup, configure port forwarding by changing the HTTP Port from 80 to an unused port perhaps 88. Port 80 is a commonly used network port that may create conflict with other devices.

By selecting 88 as a specific port within the network, a specific location is created to provide remote viewing to external computers or cell phones. Once completed hit enter or save the new settings into the network.

Once this has been done, our DVR is now part of our WLAN, set up to receive request from the internal and external IP address to port forward the video from the cameras.

How To find The Internal IP Address

To find your internal IP address on windows operating system type cmd in the search box. It will open a window then type in IP config and it will show you your internal IP address. To find the internal IP address on a Mac go to system preferences, select network, the network window will open, then select advanced in the lower right hand corner. In the next window select TCP/IP. When the window opens the IPv4 address will be the internal address of the computer and the router IP address will be the main address of the internal network.

How To Find the External IP Address

The easiest way to find your external IP address is to go to www.whatismyip.com or www.portforward.com Your external IP address will be displayed. If you have a static IP address you will know that you do. For more information visit The SpyGeeks.com