Ordered my cameras and PC....NEED HELP...NOOBIE!!!!

Omar Mohammed · May 22, 2019

Hi all, I have finally ordered my cameras from Andy, which should arrive soon:

5 x IPC-HDW5231R-ZE
1 x IPC-HFW2831T-ZS
1 x IPC-HDW5631R-ZE

I have also got an 10 port gigabit POE switch which has 2 uplinks.

I have ordered a Dell Optiplex i7-8700 PC (16GB RAM, 10TB HDD, 256 SSD & Windows Pro), but having read the Cliff Notes, Wiki and the forum posts, I am still at a loss on how to set this up....I KNOW I KNOW...I am a complete noob!!!! And having panic attacks thinking I should have gone for an NVR for simplicity....I will resist...but I need help!!!!

So I am thinking that I connect all my cameras to the POE switch. Then connect the POE switch to the PC directly. Connect the PC to the router via a switch, which also has other items connected (MAC; ALARM; Samsung SmartThings; Philips HUE). Is that correct?

Here in UK our routers are locked to our service providers, so I can not put OpenVPN on them, and I will not be able to swap it out. What should I do that in this case?

Then reading Cliff Notes even the first parts scares me:
1) If using a password manager, generate the random password while you have an internet connection - I do not use a password manager - so what do I do?
2) Disable The Internet Connection On the Computer

Again I apologies....This really is an education for me....but you guys will be rolling your eyes now....

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Omar Mohammed · May 22, 2019

For the VPN....I could order a secondary router with OpenVPN and have that connected to the PC, and then I assume I connect the POE switch to this and and also connect the switch which is connected to the router?

Omar Mohammed · May 22, 2019

This is what I was thinking.....

Omar Mohammed · May 22, 2019

Or is it like this....

SouthernYankee · May 22, 2019

take a deep breath...

the first picture is closer to correct........... we will get there .........

Do this in small steps not all at once. This will not be the final setup but will get you going first
1) set up the PC on your home network and do a clean install of windows 10, Download the media creation tool from Microsoft.
2) download and install Blue iris on the PC.
3) plug the POE switch into you home network using one of the uplinks
4) using a short store bought ethernet cable connect one and only one camere to the POE switch, do not mount the camera, this is just for a configuration and test.

take a break, questions
1) what is the ip address of the BI PC
2) what is the ip address of your router ?
3) what is the make/model of your modem/router ?
4) on your router what is the IP range of the DHCP pool ? if you can not fighue this out, we will get it later.

Info: all dahua cameras have the same IP address 192.168.1.108.

bp2008 · May 22, 2019

Omar Mohammed said:
So I am thinking that I connect all my cameras to the POE switch. Then connect the POE switch to the PC directly. Connect the PC to the router via a switch, which also has other items connected (MAC; ALARM; Samsung SmartThings; Philips HUE). Is that correct?

Correct. You could connect the PC to any switch really. Better to connect it to a gigabit switch if you have one, if the PoE switch is only capable of 10/100 Mbps.

Omar Mohammed · May 22, 2019

Thank you bp2008 and SouthernYankee.

@SouthernYankee....I will indeed be taking a very deep breath...maybe even a lie down for a day or 2....With yours and fellow members help i'm sure we will get there!!!

Thanks again...I will post again when I get this bit done...then panic again!!!!

bp2008 · May 22, 2019

This is how I would do it, configuring the SKY router in bridge mode if possible.

Or even like this and install the OpenVPN server on the BI PC (although this takes more technical expertise, so maybe not).

bp2008 · May 22, 2019

Or if the PoE switch is 10/100 speed and the other switch is gigabit, then this would be better:

Omar Mohammed · May 22, 2019

The POE switch is a gigabit switch and the secondary switch is also gigabit

bp2008 · May 22, 2019

Omar Mohammed said:
Then reading Cliff Notes even the first parts scares me:
1) If using a password manager, generate the random password while you have an internet connection - I do not use a password manager - so what do I do?
2) Disable The Internet Connection On the Computer

You could generate a password by dreaming one up yourself or you could use a tool like this: https://www.lastpass.com/password-generator

To re-enable your internet connection at any time, you just undo the changes you made to make it a static IP address (turn DHCP back on).

bp2008 · May 22, 2019

Omar Mohammed said:
The POE switch is a gigabit switch and the secondary switch is also gigabit

In that case you can connect them either way without any significant difference in performance. Whatever is most convenient.

Omar Mohammed · May 22, 2019

I think the VPN router would also serve to secure my IPTV aswell, so I would probably have that aswell.

With regards the password ... that is so clear..thank you

bp2008 · May 22, 2019

If you decide to order a router to be the VPN server, I recommend an Asus router because they really make the OpenVPN configuration easy. Use your SKY router's bridge mode if it has one, this way it will just be acting as a modem and your Asus will get the public IP address passed directly to it. If you can't do bridge mode, then you need to set up the SKY router to forward a port to the Asus router to use for OpenVPN. (if it asks, forward both TCP and UDP protocols for best results).

Sybertiger · May 22, 2019

+1 on the Asus router...something likeTHIS ONE.

Omar Mohammed · May 23, 2019

The router I have seen is THIS ONE . Can i buy as as is, and configure myself and load OpenVPN on there, or do I need to buy it preconfigured?

SouthernYankee · May 23, 2019

I lack an understand of the sky router. But my general understanding is that in the UK you can make almost no changes.

The best thing would be if another UK member would step up and explain how to setup the sky router for the VPN.

bp2008 · May 23, 2019

Omar Mohammed said:
The router I have seen is THIS ONE . Can i buy as as is, and configure myself and load OpenVPN on there, or do I need to buy it preconfigured?

That would work. No need to buy preconfigured (you can't, really), and no need to buy one so expensive either.

SouthernYankee · May 23, 2019

Omar

i would not worry about the VPN until you have the BI system up and running.
Go slow and do it step by step.
The wifi router you picked is total over kill. You really do not need that advanced router unless you are doing a lot of wifi, and have other advanced wifi items.
Most americans do not understand the limitation and restrictions of the UK internet system. SKY routers are very locked down.

Also answer the questions asked. Need detail info on the sky router to determine if it can be set up in passthru modem.

Omar Mohammed · May 23, 2019

@ southernyankee...Thanks you....I am away today, so will check when I get back in next week

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Ordered my cameras and PC....NEED HELP...NOOBIE!!!!

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