Newbie difficulties with IPC-HDW5231R-ZE

bob4321

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I received a new IPC-HDW5231R-ZE from Andy (great service), but am stuck as to how to get started. I opened the box, and connected the camera to my Unifi POE switch. The switch shows 10/100 and POE+ drawing 2.76W. The guide says the camera should come initialized to an IP address of 192.169.1.108. No such address connects on my network. I cannot ping it nor connect from IE. I installed the configuration software from the tiny DVD that shipped with the camera. It does not find the camera.
I have one flat network based at 192.168.1.XXX. No subnets or vlans. I use a Unifi USG gateway as the router. The router event log does show a MAC address connecting to the LAN when I plug in the camera. I see a device listed with that MAC address, but it has no IP Address or Type.
I did not install an SD-card. Is that necessary?
What am I doing wrong or am I missing?
Thanks
 
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Arjun

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Welcome to the forum @bob4321 what is your setup like? Are you using a dedicated NVR and attaching cameras through PoE Switch (which is connected to NVR) or using Desktop (Blue Iris)?
Typically don't have to go through any config tool, unless you need to locate the IP address of the camera within your network. I'd recommend using a PoE injector and connect the camera to your computer to configure the proper Static IP (based on the range defined within your network)--this is good if you don't have an NVR, otherwise, if you have NVR connect your computer to any of the available ports behind the NVR and try to scan for the default IP associated with the camera through there. Advanced IP Scanner is a start.
 

bob4321

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I currently use blue iris as an NVR steaming RTSP from a old analogue speco dvr. Looking to eliminate the dvr and convert to new IP cameras.

I connected the camera to my existing 8 port Unifi POE switch. All the documentation stated it should default to 192.168.1.108. From what my router is saying, the MAC address is connected to the network, but does not have an IP address at all.

I just downloaded advanced IP Scanner and ran it. It found the MAC address at IP address 192.168.1.108. No manufacturer on the description.

But ping fails and it does not appear at that IP in the unifi software
 

Arjun

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Could be possible IP Conflict, which I never default to a 192.168.x.x range,
Check this (this should work),
Camera Troubleshoot/Change IP Cameras IP Address - Dahua Wiki
"How to Modify IP Address of IP Camera / Change IP Camera that is stuck on "192.168.1.108"

Resetting the camera helps as well, but the detailed steps disclosed in the Dahua-Wiki should definitely help
 

Arjun

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Requires a pin within the camera assembly to be pressed while power is feeding the camera

You’ll need to carefully disassemble the assembly in order to locate the reset button
 

bob4321

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The config tool found the camera after I set a proper search range - it said the camera was not activated and unitialized. I tried initializing, but it fails with message 'network error, maybe timeout'.
Is it possible I have a dud camera?
 

Guido87

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The config tool found the camera after I set a proper search range - it said the camera was not activated and unitialized. I tried initializing, but it fails with message 'network error, maybe timeout'.
Is it possible I have a dud camera?
Disconnect the other cams from the poe switch? Connect the poe switch to the pc. And connect only the new cam to the switch. The network adapter settings at your pc van leave at auto. Or temporary change the tcp ip4 settings from auto to 192.168.1.100 and 255.255.255.0 gateway can leave blank. Internet don't need for initialize, it's just changing the default password. That's all.
 

bob4321

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This is my only IP camera - the POE switch is just part of my general network. I will try a standalone setup tonight directly connecting a PC to the camera and POE injector and see if I can get it to respond.
Thanks
 

looney2ns

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You can use any standard 12vdc wall wart for power to test to rule out power issue's. You probably have one lying around.
That 2.5w reading sounds low.
 

bob4321

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Thanks for all the suggestions and hints - I finally got it working. There seems to be some issue with my Unifi managed 8 port POE switch and the camera. If I plug the camera into a POE injector (I had a spare Unifi POE injector) and into my network it works fine. When I plug it into the PoE switch, it will not communicate correctly (ping fails). The switch is detecting it as PoE+ and shows current draw that increases when the room is dark (IR goes on). The switch works fine for all my other equipment plugged in, so not sure what the issue is.

Does anyone else plug a Dahua camera into a Unifi managed PoE switch? My switch supports 802.3af/at for PoE so should be compatible.

What switches are others using? Was hoping to use another Unifi managed switch for the cameras so I could manage and track network usage.

Thanks
 

Arjun

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Thanks for all the suggestions and hints - I finally got it working. There seems to be some issue with my Unifi managed 8 port POE switch and the camera. If I plug the camera into a POE injector (I had a spare Unifi POE injector) and into my network it works fine. When I plug it into the PoE switch, it will not communicate correctly (ping fails). The switch is detecting it as PoE+ and shows current draw that increases when the room is dark (IR goes on). The switch works fine for all my other equipment plugged in, so not sure what the issue is.

Does anyone else plug a Dahua camera into a Unifi managed PoE switch? My switch supports 802.3af/at for PoE so should be compatible.

What switches are others using? Was hoping to use another Unifi managed switch for the cameras so I could manage and track network usage.

Thanks
That is great to know, for some reason I may have skimmed over the part where you disclosed the camera’s voltage, that is certainly low and if that is that is the only PoE device connected to your UniFi switch then something needs to be looked into. There are two versions of the 8 port switch, one being a 4 port PoE and other being 8-port PoE

Some don’t prefer switches containing fans
BV-Tech and Zyxel are both good options
 

CliveS

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Thanks for all the suggestions and hints - I finally got it working. There seems to be some issue with my Unifi managed 8 port POE switch and the camera. If I plug the camera into a POE injector (I had a spare Unifi POE injector) and into my network it works fine. When I plug it into the PoE switch, it will not communicate correctly (ping fails). The switch is detecting it as PoE+ and shows current draw that increases when the room is dark (IR goes on). The switch works fine for all my other equipment plugged in, so not sure what the issue is.

Does anyone else plug a Dahua camera into a Unifi managed PoE switch? My switch supports 802.3af/at for PoE so should be compatible.

What switches are others using? Was hoping to use another Unifi managed switch for the cameras so I could manage and track network usage.

Thanks
I have 3 IPC-HDW5231R-ZE and an IPC-HDW5831R-ZE (thanks Andy!), all running fine on a 24 port UniFi Switch US‑24‑250W (with 4 x upgraded fans) and no problem at all.
I fired up the 8 port Unifi Switch US‑8‑60W (4 POE port version), connected to the 24 Port and moved one camera onto that and it worked fine (2.59W no IR and 2.99W with IR).
 

bob4321

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I have the 8 port 150W Unifi switch US-8-150W. Just tested the camera again in the switch. No IR = 2.34W, with IR = 2.78W. When plugged into the switch, no communication. Put back into the poe injector to my main non-poe switch works great.
My network configuration is pretty simple. cable modem to USG. USG to 8 port Unifi PoE switch (feeds 3 APs and cloud key). Fifth port on the PoE switch feeds my 24 port main unmanaged switch.

just tried an experiment to isolate the issue. I used the PoE injector to supply power to the camera, and plugged it into the PoE switch. So the switch was not supplying power. It did not communicate. So the issue is not power related, but a network problem of some sort.

More experiments to follow.
 

Guido87

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Thanks for all the suggestions and hints - I finally got it working. There seems to be some issue with my Unifi managed 8 port POE switch and the camera. If I plug the camera into a POE injector (I had a spare Unifi POE injector) and into my network it works fine. When I plug it into the PoE switch, it will not communicate correctly (ping fails). The switch is detecting it as PoE+ and shows current draw that increases when the room is dark (IR goes on). The switch works fine for all my other equipment plugged in, so not sure what the issue is.

Does anyone else plug a Dahua camera into a Unifi managed PoE switch? My switch supports 802.3af/at for PoE so should be compatible.

What switches are others using? Was hoping to use another Unifi managed switch for the cameras so I could manage and track network usage.

Thanks
Maybe try reset the switch?
 

bob4321

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Going to switch to the Unifi networking forums and see if they can help
 

Heire

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Hey,

I have a unifi 24ports with 1 camera connected and works without problem.
Still waiting on my other cameras but then one will be connected on a 8 ports.

All I had to do was log in to the camera on the same network, switch to dhcp and done. The config tool doesnt work at start cause you need to configure a password at first time.
 

Heire

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I have a 8232 running on 4.66w according to unifi.
I have a 5232 ready to use but hadn't had any issue besides initial config.
 

bob4321

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I spent the weekend trying to figure this out, but have pretty much given up. I have it isolated to an issue between the switch and the camera. I have the camera hooked to a PoE injector for power (to eliminate power as a factor). When I plug it into the Unifi 8-150 it shows up in the unifi network with a MAC address only but does not get an IP (if static still gets no IP). Cannot ping it (static or DHCP). Tried multiple ports on the switch.

If I then plug the camera into a 25 port unmanaged switch fed from the 8-150, the camera works great.

I then tried the same test, but used a old 4 port 10/100 switch fed from the 8-150 Unifi switch. It did not work. Same affect as plugging the camera directly to the Unifi switch.

So, no clue at this point. I'm thinking some hardware, software issue in the camera that is a timing or handshake error that is on the edge of working/not-working.

Not worth the aggragvation - will purchase a new PoE switch to use for the cameras and test that out. Just lose the ability to manage the switch from Unifi.
 
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