Static IP addresses

[dryfly]

I've got a dedicated PC running 4 Geovision IP cameras. In setting the system up I let the router DHCP select IP addresses for the computer and all cameras. Things seem to be working pretty good.

In doing some research it looks like it might be better to assign the PC and cameras static IP addresses. Is this correct? Of what advantage would it be?

 

[fenderman]

I've got a dedicated PC running 4 Geovision IP cameras. In setting the system up I let the router DHCP select IP addresses for the computer and all cameras. Things seem to be working pretty good.

In doing some research it looks like it might be better to assign the PC and cameras static IP addresses. Is this correct? Of what advantage would it be?

Not only is it a good idea, its required. If the router assigns the cameras or the pc new ip addresses they will no longer work properly...use your routers dhcp reservation to set a fixed ip for each device.

 

[Michelin Man]

You can leave the computers on the routers DHCP but just apply an exception for certain devices via MAC address to be given a static ip. Otherwise whenever the DHCP leases out IPs again the cameras won't be given the same IP address.


If you are using the PC as a recorder then yeah, you can just go and add that to the static ip list.

If you do it via an exception you will just leave the setting on the computer as 'Obtain IP address automatically'.

Just to add as well. When you give them static ip addresses via an exception you generally have to assign IP's out of the DHCP's range (at least with a Billion router) so say that your DHCP uses the IP pool of 192.168.1.1-192.168.1.30, you would have to assign a static ip 192.168.1.31 and above.

 

[dryfly]

Not only is it a good idea, its required. If the router assigns the cameras or the pc new ip addresses they will no longer work properly...use your routers dhcp reservation to set a fixed ip for each device.

Is it required if you have no intention of port forwarding, just viewing and recording within your LAN? No problem going with static addresses, and I'm sure I will, but the thing is they seem to be working fine letting dhcp assign IP's. Now, I'm not to the point of remote viewing so all that might change, but as of now all seems to be fine. this is all an ongoing learning process for me.

 

[dryfly]

You can leave the computers on the routers DHCP but just apply an exception for certain devices via MAC address to be given a static ip. Otherwise whenever the DHCP leases out IPs again the cameras won't be given the same IP address.


If you are using the PC as a recorder then yeah, you can just go and add that to the static ip list.

If you do it via an exception you will just leave the setting on the computer as 'Obtain IP address automatically'.

Just to add as well. When you give them static ip addresses via an exception you generally have to assign IP's out of the DHCP's range (at least with a Billion router) so say that your DHCP uses the IP pool of 192.168.1.1-192.168.1.30, you would have to assign a static ip 192.168.1.31 and above.

As a real networking novice I'm not sure I understand the concept of exception via MAC address. I have assigned static IP addresses and understand that, but can't see where the MAC exception would be an advantage since assigning a static address is also just giving the device an IP out of the DHCP's range. Or is it just the same thing done a different way?

And yes, I am using the PC as a video recorder.

 

[Michelin Man]

Did you assign the IP's to the camera by just manually entering the IP you want into the camera?

For the PC, I assume you setup the static IP via the properties rather than the router?

If the way you use works for you I'd stick with that. The way I do it just gives me flexibility and control from a single point (via the router).

For my example I enter the MAC address of the device that I want to give a static IP to. When this device shows up on the network the router will 'assign' the static IP that I have set to the device (device set to DHCP). This also means that the router knows the device is there on the routing table. Whereas when I did it by manually setting a IP address outside of the DHCP range but within the same subnet the router doesn't see the device.

 

[dryfly]

Did you assign the IP's to the camera by just manually entering the IP you want into the camera?

For the PC, I assume you setup the static IP via the properties rather than the router?

If the way you use works for you I'd stick with that. The way I do it just gives me flexibility and control from a single point (via the router).

For my example I enter the MAC address of the device that I want to give a static IP to. When this device shows up on the network the router will 'assign' the static IP that I have set to the device (device set to DHCP). This also means that the router knows the device is there on the routing table. Whereas when I did it by manually setting a IP address outside of the DHCP range but within the same subnet the router doesn't see the device.

No, see my OP, I am currently running on DHCP assignments. When I said I have assigned static IP's before I meant on other devices, e.g. printers.

I will check my router and see if I can do it the way you are suggesting. My post was really about "do you have to have static IP's for dedicated server and cameras"? Again, I may not even do remote monitoring for several reasons, so if I'm not port forwarding are static IP's mandatory?

Thanks for your instructions. I really need help like this while trying to learn basic cameras and networking.

 

[fenderman]

Yes it has to be done...

Sent via Taptalk

 

[Michelin Man]

No, see my OP, I am currently running on DHCP assignments. When I said I have assigned static IP's before I meant on other devices, e.g. printers.

I will check my router and see if I can do it the way you are suggesting. My post was really about "do you have to have static IP's for dedicated server and cameras"? Again, I may not even do remote monitoring for several reasons, so if I'm not port forwarding are static IP's mandatory?

Thanks for your instructions. I really need help like this while trying to learn basic cameras and networking.

Ohh right, yeah I was confused when you said they were getting IPs via DHCP but in the other post said you had assigned static IPs, my mistake.

If it works for you on DHCP then you could leave it. But when you power cycle the router it might not work anymore.

For servers and etc, generally you want them to have a static IP address, so you know where they are at all times and gives you less issues in the long run. IF you were port forwarding and didn't set a static IP, the ports for the device you were forwarding won't be on the same IP. When the DHCP assigns IP addresses, it does so via a first come first serve basis. But yes, I would suggest you assign them static IPs regardless.