Applies to: WRN-1632(S) and WRN-816S
Summary:
DHCP servers automatically assign IP addresses and other network parameters to devices on a network. This is often used to make it easier for network administrators to add or move devices on a network.
The WRN-1632(S) and WRN-816S series of recorders can utilize an onboard DHCP server to provide IP addresses to cameras connected to the recorder’s onboard PoE switch as well as devices connected to an external PoE switch connected via Network Port 1. This article was created to help the user understand how to configure the network interfaces on the unit to properly connect to attached cameras and prepare them for connection in Wisenet WAVE VMS.
Step By Step Guide:
System Initialization
System Password
Wisenet WAVE WRN series recorder devices utilize the Ubuntu OS and are preconfigured with the “wave” user account. After powering on your WRN unit, you are required to set the Ubuntu password for the wave user account. We advise you to use a secure password.
System Time and Language
Before recording begins it is important to ensure that the clock is set correctly.
- Navigate to Applications > Settings > Date and Time to verify the time and date.
- Select the Automatic Date & Time and Automatic Time Zone options, or manually adjust the clock as needed. (Internet access is needed)
- If you need to adjust the language or keyboard, click the en1 dropdown from the login screen or the main desktop, or via Applications > Settings > Region & Language.
Connecting Cameras
Connect cameras to your recorder via the onboard PoE switch or through an external PoE switch, or both.
When using an external PoE switch, plug the external switch into Network Port 1.
Utilizing the Onboard DHCP Server
To utilize the WRN recorder’s onboard DHCP server, several steps must be followed. These steps include switching from the WRN Configuration Tool to the configuration of Ubuntu network settings.
- Confirm there are NO external DHCP servers operating on the network that connects to your WRN recorder’s Network 1 Port. (If there is a conflict, Internet access for other devices on the network will be affected.)
- Start the WRN Configuration Tool from the side Favorite bar.
- Enter the Ubuntu user password and click OK.
- Click Next on the Welcome page.
- Toggle the Enable DHCP for PoE Ports to ON and provide the Start IP and End IP addresses. (In this case we will use 192.168.55 as the subnet.)
NOTE: The start and end IP addresses must be accessible by the Network 1
(Camera Network) subnet. This information is needed to input an IP address
on the Camera Network interface (eth0).IMPORTANT: Do not use a range that will interfere with the predefined
Ethernet (eth0) interface 192.168.1.200 or 223.223.223.200 used for onboard
PoE switch configuration. - Make any changes to the DHCP server settings as per your requirements, then click Next > Yes to confirm your settings.
The PoE ports will now deliver power to the cameras allowing camera discovery to begin. Please wait for the initial scan to be completed. - Click the Rescan button to begin a new scan if all cameras are not discovered.
- Without closing the configuration tool, click the Network icon on the top right corner of the screen, then click Settings.
Ethernet (eth0) (In Ubuntu) = Camera Network = Network 1 Port (as printed on unit)
Ethernet (eth1) (In Ubuntu) = Corporate Network (Uplink) = Network 2 Port (as printed on unit) - Toggle the Ethernet (eth0) network port to OFF.
- Click the Gear icon for the Ethernet (eth0) interface, then click the IPv4 tab.
- Set the IP address using an IP address outside of the range defined in the WRN Configuration Tool in Step 5. (For our example, we will use 192.168.55.100 to be outside of the defined range while remaining on the same subnet.)
NOTE: If the configuration tool has assigned an IP address, in this case
192.168.55.1, it will need to be changed as addresses ending in “.1” are
reserved for gateways.IMPORTANT: Do not remove the 192.168.1.200 and 223.223.223.200 addresses
as they are required to work with the PoE switch web interface. This is
true even if you have a WRN-1632 without the PoE interface. - If 192.168.55.1 was not assigned, enter a static IP address to be on the same subnet as defined previously.
- Click Apply.
- Toggle Network 1 on your WRN recorder, Ethernet (eth0), to the ON position.
- If needed, repeat the above steps for the Ethernet (eth1) / Corporate / Network 2 to connect the other network interface to another network (ex: for remote viewing while keeping the camera’s network isolated).
- Return to the WRN Configuration Tool.
- If the discovered cameras display a Need Password status:
a. Select one of the cameras indicating a Need Password status.
b. Enter a new password and then confirm the password.
Refer to the Wisenet camera manual for more information on the required password complexity.
c. Click Set Password. - If the camera status displays a Not Connected status, or the cameras have already been configured with a password:
a. Verify that the IP address of the camera is accessible.
b. Enter the camera’s current password, then click Connect.
After a few seconds, the selected camera status will change to Connected. - If the camera status does not change to Connected, or the cameras already have a configured password, click on a camera row, enter the camera's password, then click Connect.
- If you wish to change the camera IP address mode/settings, click IP assign. (Wisenet cameras default to DHCP mode.)
- Click Next > Yes > Next to confirm the settings and exit the WRN Configuration Tool.
- Launch the Wisenet WAVE Client to run the New System Configuration.
NOTE: For best performance, it is recommended to enable the Hardware Video
Decoding feature from the WAVE Main Menu > Local Settings > Advanced > Use
Hardware Video Decoding > Enable (if supported).
Utilizing an External DHCP Server
An external DHCP server connected to the WRN Camera Network will provide IP addresses to cameras connected to its onboard PoE switch and externally connected PoE switches.
- Confirm there is an external DHCP server operating on the network that connects to your WRN unit’s Network 1 Port.
- Configure the WRN-1632(S) / WRN-816S network ports using the Ubuntu Network Settings menu.
Ethernet (eth0) (In Ubuntu) = Camera Network = Network 1 Port (as printed on unit)
Ethernet (eth1) (In Ubuntu) = Corporate Network (Uplink) = Network 2 Port (as printed on unit) - From the Ubuntu Desktop, click the Network icon on the top right corner of the screen, then click Settings.
- Toggle the Ethernet (eth0) network port to OFF.
- Click the Gear icon for the Ethernet (eth0) interface, then click the IPv4 tab.
- Set IPv4 Method to Automatic (DHCP) and the DNS Automatic toggle to ON, then click Apply.
NOTE: Depending on your network configuration, you may enter a static IP
address by setting the IPv4 Method to Manual and setting DNS and Routes
to Automatic OFF. This will allow you to enter a static IP address,
subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS information. - Toggle the Ethernet (eth0) network port to the ON position.
- Start the WRN Configuration Tool from the side Favorite bar.
- Enter the Ubuntu user password and click OK > Next.
- Make sure the Enable DHCP for PoE Ports option is OFF, then click Next >Yes to confirm your settings.
The PoE ports will now deliver power to the cameras allowing camera discovery to begin. Please wait for the initial scan to be completed. - Click the Rescan button to begin a new scan if all cameras are not discovered.
- If the discovered Wisenet cameras display a Need Password status:
a. Select one of the cameras indicating a Need Password status.
b. Enter a new password and then confirm the password.
Refer to the Wisenet camera manual for more information on the required password complexity.
c. Click Set Password. - If the camera status displays a Not Connected status, or the cameras have already been configured with a password:
a. Verify that the IP address of the camera is accessible.
b. Enter the camera’s current password, then click Connect.
After a few seconds, the selected camera status will change to Connected. - If the camera status does not change to Connected, or the cameras already have a configured password, click on a camera row, enter the camera's password, then click Connect.
- If you wish to change the camera IP address mode/settings, click IP assign. (Wisenet cameras default to DHCP mode.)
- Click Next > Yes > Next to confirm the settings and exit the WRN Configuration Tool.
- Launch the Wisenet WAVE Client to run the New System Configuration.
NOTE: For best performance, it is recommended to enable the Hardware Video
Decoding feature from the WAVE Main Menu > Local Settings > Advanced > Use
Hardware Video Decoding > Enable (if supported).
WRN Configuration Tool: the Toggle PoE Power Feature
The WRN Configuration Tool now has the ability to toggle power to the WRN recorder's onboard PoE switch should one or more cameras require a reboot. Clicking the Toggle PoE Power button in the WRN Configuration Tool will power cycle all devices connected to the WRN unit’s onboard PoE switch.
If it is necessary to power cycle only a single device, it is recommended that you use the WRN web UI.