As easy as a plug and play PoE IP security camera system can be there are other ways to set up a security camera system on a network. However, someone might want to set up only one camera on their network, or have a stubborn camera that is causing issues. This article aims to assist those who are having issues with setting up a system, or want to learn more about configuring a single IP camera on a network.
We've broken down the process in to easy to follow steps:
- Who is this article for?
- Requirements to follow this article
- If you don't like to read, you can watch the video here
- Determining the network scheme
- Configure the camera for the network
- Further Reading
Who is this article for?
As we mentioned in the introduction this article is really for two types of people who are trying to do either of the following:
- People who bought an IP camera for viewing in a web browser, for standalone recording, or for streaming to the web
- People who bought an IP camera system and need to troubleshoot or configure IP cameras to their network scheme
Requirements to follow this article
- IP Camera from CCTV Camera World - Our IP cameras are shipped with a preconfigured IP address, username and password. This information is found on a label that is attached to the top or side of the IP camera’s box. Do not throw away the box or remove the label.
- Provide power to the camera - A camera can be powered using any one of three ways:
- PoE Injector - Use two cables - One to provide power and data, the other to connect to a network
- PoE Switch - Connect and power multiple cameras - Use the uplink port and Ethernet cables to connect cameras to a network router
- 12VDC Power Adapter - Connect the adapter to the wall and connect the power connector to the camera - Use an Ethernet cable to connect to a network router
- An Ethernet cable - CAT5e or CAT6 are what we recommend - the cable is used to connect the IP camera to a network.
- A Windows Computer to follow our guide and view the camera from a web browser
If you don't like reading watch the video below.
Determining the scheme and configuration of the network
The default IP address set on our cameras from the factory is 192.168.1.109. If the network a person is trying to connect a camera to is not 192.168.1.xxx compatible then the camera cannot communicate on that network. This article does not intend to teach someone about what an IP address is, or how to do advanced networking; it is a step by step guide to setting a camera up on a network.
Use a Command Prompt with the Ipconfig command
The easiest way to find out the IP address scheme of a network is by using the Command Prompt program. Command Prompt is included in all Windows PCs. There are many different ways to access the Command Prompt program and find out the IP address scheme but the easiest method for novice users is listed below.
- Click the Windows icon or windows button on the keyboard
- Type “Command Prompt” or “cmd” into the search bar
- Click the program on the list
- Clicking the program should open a console with a blinking cursor
- Type “ipconfig” and press enter into the software
- The network scheme will be printed out inside of the console
- Write down or note the IP address scheme - if it is 192.168.1.xxx then a user can easily access the IP camera using the 192.168.1.109 address already and should move onto our other guides
Here is an example output of the ipconfig command from a computer in our office network.
Login to the camera and configure it for the network
This is the most difficult section for anyone who is not an IT person or has very good computer skills. Below is a step-wise overview of what to do but to get a better idea check out the video in the article that covers the process from the beginning to end.
1. Change the network settings on the PC to a 192.168.1.xxx scheme
The first step to the process is to change the PC network settings to a 192.168.1.xxx network address temporarily. This step allows a user to access the IP camera to change it’s IP address to a compatible IP address for their main network. The main network is the network scheme that was found by using the Command Prompt.
1a) Right click the network connection icon for your Windows 10 PC
If the computer is wired into the network the icon should look like a monitor with an Ethernet cable. If the computer is a laptop or tablet the icon will look like WiFi bars.
1b) Select the “Open Network & Internet settings” option
1c) Look for the “Change your network settings” section. Click “Change adapter options”
1d) A Control Panel window should appear with the computer’s network connections
1e) Right click the Ethernet or WiFi connection for the network that the IP camera is connected to and click “Properties”
1f) Click to highlight the item “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties option below the item list
1g) Inside of the Internet Protocol Version 4 settings select the “Use the following IP address:” button
1h) Set the computer’s IP address to a compatible IP address with the network scheme that was written down. For example if the network is 192.168.50.xxx set the computer to 192.168.2.50. The last number (aka octet) must be between 2 and 254 but it does not matter what someone chooses. We use 50 because it is easy to remember.
Also set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0, it may autofill the subnet mask.
A Gateway is not necessary but can be useful if Windows gets confused. Set it to 192.168.1.1.
1i) Click OK. Then click Close to leave the connection properties.
The computer is now set up to communicate on the 192.168.1.1 network and will be able to access the camera.
2. Login to the camera and configure it for the main network scheme
Now that the computer is set up to communicate with the camera on the 192.168.1.1 network the user must access the camera using Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer will be the easiest way to access a camera without running into plugin errors or other compatibility issues with newer browsers. Some newer cameras do support live viewing from Chrome, Firefox, and Edge but Internet Explorer should be used for configuration purposes.
2a. Open Internet Explorer by using the Windows 10 PC Start menu. Type IE or Internet Explorer into the Windows search bar if you can’t find it.
2b. Type the IP address of the camera into the address bar of Internet Explorer. The IP address should be 192.168.1.109 if it is the factory default.
2c. Press enter to direct the browser to the cameras web interface
2d. Login to the camera using the default username and password. This information is also found on the label for the camera’s box.
2e. Navigate to the IP/TCP Network settings by clicking the “Setting” tab on the top and using the navigation bar on the left hand side. Click Network, and then TCP/IP if you’re unsure how to use the interface.
2d. Set the camera to an IP address that is open on the main network. This means that if the main network is 192.168.2.xxx then the address will need to match that scheme. For example you can set the camera to 192.168.2.109. For Comcast customers this may often be a 10.0.0.xxx address or an example 10.0.0.109.
2e. Set the Subnet mask to 255.255.255.0
2f. Set the Gateway to the main network routers IP address. This is usually the .1 IP address. For example 192.168.2.1 or 10.1.1.1. However it can be different depending on the manufacturer of the router.
2f. Click “Save”. The camera should say if the changes were saved successfully, or if there is any error with the settings.
3. Change the computer network settings back to default
Repeat the same process to get back to the internet settings on the computer. If you’re unsure feel free to scroll back to section one and repeat the steps. Only this time change the IP address settings back to “Automatically Obtain an IP Address”.
Confirm that the computer now has internet or network access on the main network. Try to access the camera using Internet Explorer and the address that was just set on the camera.
If the computer can now access the IP camera on the main network then you can move onto using the camera for its intended purpose. Review the links in the section below to check out our great articles
To add the camera to an NVR over the network use the Camera Registration screen on the NVR. Search the network for the camera and click the “Add” button. Or add a manual entry using the username, password and IP address that was set on the camera.
Note: If the computer is a part of a corporate network you may want to consult with your IT department to what IP address your computer should be set back to if it was not noted before changing the setting.
Further Reading
Security Camera Systems
NVRs - Network Video Recorders
PC/MAC Software Guide
Security Camera Buying Guide
How to connect a security camera to the Internet
Using Security Cameras as Standalone
How to setup an IP Security Camera System on a Network
Recording Security Cameras with SD Cards
Smartphone App for Remote Viewing Security Camera Systems
