Topic: IP camera - external access?

[natsys]

Okay guys ... first post ... go easy please!

I'm running SME v7 beta and I have an ip camera on my lan that I would like to access from external locations. I used to be able to do this with another server product where I mapped the external ip to the internal one and it was easy but I can't see a similar facility in SME. Can I have your 'polite' suggestions please??

Cheers .. Tom.

[mapangojoe]

Hello.  You just need to "portforward" access from the internet to your camera.  Assuming you are using SME 6x, in the server-manager panel, click on port forward, and create a port forward rule.  

If your server is 192.168.0.1, and your camera is .2, I would create a rule like:
forward port 8888 to 192.168.0.2, port 80.  

You will then be able to access your IP camera like this,

http://Http://myexternalIPaddress:8888

I hope that makes sense!

Chris Curtis

[natsys]

Thanks Chris ....

I followed your instructions but I'm afraid it didn't work. I didn't get a response and the timeout seems to be very long so I quit. I tried the domain, the IP adddress, a TCP rule and a UDP rule and I even tried to include the camera login username and password - http://username:password@domain:8888 but still nothing.

Thanks meantime ... Tom.

[wsmeurope]

The navigator you use to access you cam web page is important; I have a Linksys WVC11B network cam and I can't connet with Firefox, I can only connect with M$ IE with the linksys video plug-in loaded.

I use also SME 7.0b5

[natsys]

Thanks for the browser comment.  I have tried IEv6 as well and it has just the same problem as Firefox.  I can however use either Firefox or IE to successfully connect directly to the camera on the internal lan. Also worth mentioning; in the past when I was using a different network server, I could connect externally using both browsers, but this was by mapping a public IP to the internal camera. I feel it's either the syntax I'm using or there's something amiss with my SME setup.  The camera is an Axis 2100. ...

Cheers ... Tom.

[Archangel]

I have the same setup (IP Camera) and it works wonderfully and I can access it externally.  I am using SME server 6.01.

This is how I did mine.

IP cam address is 192.168.2.2, and I am using port 81 to access it internally and externally.

Port Forwarding menu
TCP, port 81, 192.168.2.2, 81

Next, make sure your camera is also set to be browsed at port 81.

You're done.  I hope this helps ya.

Archangel

[natsys]

Thanks Archangel .... I hate to say that it still doesn't work!  The only difference would appear to be the version of SME being used; I'm using v7.0beta4.

Thank you anyway for taking the time to post your suggestion and ... enjoy your camera!

Cheers .. Tom.

[Archangel]

hmmn... btw this is how I access my camera from internal or external....  www.arkanjel.com:81

Archangel

[wsmeurope]

I use my webcam externally with the same port forwarding rule than Archangel on a sme v7.0Beta5 and it works. Try to upgrade b4 to b5.

[NickR]

It's *really* important that you set the netmask & gateway address correctly to view the camera externally.  It doesn't matter when you are local because you can connect directly to it.

I've been caught like this myself when moving cameras between subnets.

[natsys]

Thanks for the suggestions but I still seem to be hitting a brick wall!   There's most likely something simple going on here but I just can't put my finger on it.

wsmeurope - I have not been successful at creating a new v7.0beta5 installation CD so haven't been able to try that yet.  I downloaded the image twice and have attempted burning on two separate PCs but I still get the pre-inatallation CD check telling me that they are dud disks; despite the MD5 keys checking out.  Now, 6 burning attempts later, I don't feel confident that I'm dealing with a good source so can anyone comment on their success (or not) in creating a good installation CD from the current v7.0beta5 iso image?

NickR - The camera netmask and gateway info you refer to are just the same as I used previously (with success) so I am reluctant to suspect anything there. Thanks though.

Archangel - I can see your login page ... it's exactly what I want so your configuration there is obviously correct ... this of course gives me the correct focus to say that based on your previous advice, I'm trying the right things. Thank you.

I'll go over everything again with a fine-tooth-comb and see if I can come up with anything that might have been missed.  Thanks guys.

... Tom.

[wsmeurope]

ftp client download at :

http://mirror.contribs.org/smeserver/releases/7/iso/smeserver.iso

[Archangel]

Hi Tom,

What kind of net cam do you have?  Does it have a network connection setting menu?  If so, make sure that you have the correct HTTP Port keyed in there, i.e. port 81.  This port number must be the same as the one you set in the port forwarding rule.

AA

[natsys]

Sorry for the long absense ... been away.

The camera is an Axis 2100.  I've just (eventually) had the chance to upgrade to v7beta5 and it has made no difference - yet again!  I'm going to have to park this for a while but I really do appreciate your help guys.

All the best .. Tom.

[pfloor]

Tom,

Are you using the server behind any kind of dsl or cable router/firewall?

Paul