Trying to get 2 DS-7616NI-E2/8P to share cameras

[combustion]

I have two Hikvision DS-7616NI-E2/8P with 8 POE cameras on each nvr that I want to share between the two.

Cameras 1-8 of 1st nvr poe to show up as cameras 9-16 on 2nd nvr lan
Cameras 1-8 of 2nd nvr poe to show up as cameras 9-16 on 1st nvr lan
All 16 cameras on Blue Iris desktop through lan
5 port gig switch

I have the following set up
1st nvr set to a static IP of 192.168.1.51
2nd nvr set to a static IP of 192.168.1.52
Blue Iris desktop set to IP 192.168.1.20

Mask set to 255.255.255.0

Blue Iris is showing all 16 cameras without problems, I am only able to get the nvr to show their own 8 poe cameras.
Configuring the cameras 9-16 to be at 192.168.1.5x ports 1-8 gives me a check port warning, and no link display

I added a camera to the lan 192.168.1.101, and can see it on both nvrs "camera #9" and BI.


Hope this hasn't been asked before. Can some one point me the right direction, and maybe hold my hand a bit?

Is there a nvr 101 guide with some example pictures?

 

[alastairstevenson]

Need a bit more info to properly comment.

All 16 cameras on Blue Iris desktop through lan

What IP addresses have you used for the cameras in the BI config?

Configuring the cameras 9-16 to be at 192.168.1.5x ports 1-8 gives me a check port warning, and no link display

By default the IP addresses of the PoE ports in a 7616N-E2/8P will be in the range 192.168.254.x
Have you customised the IP address range of the PoE ports?

Normally the cameras on the PoE ports are not (easily) accessible from LAN addresses, though it is possible, that's how I have mine organised. Can you access the PoE port cameras directly via a browser from a PC on the LAN?

Depending on the firmware version, a 7616N-E2/8P will also offer all camera video streams as RTSP streams, which can be accessed by another NVR. But that would be recording only.

 

[Dreamboat]

I think it will be much easier if you don't play with the internal PoE network at all.
Just add to IP 192.168.1.51 new IP channel 192.168.1.52, then you will be prompted which channels to import (select 9 to 16).
And vice versa.. add to IP 192.168.1.52 new IP channel 192.168.1.51, then you will be prompted which channels to import (select 9 to 16).

 

[alastairstevenson]

Unless I've misread the post, the cameras are all connected to the respective NVR PoE ports, and this was just an experiment:

I added a camera to the lan 192.168.1.101, and can see it on both nvrs "camera #9" and BI.

Just add to IP 192.168.1.51 new IP channel 192.168.1.52, then you will be prompted which channels to import (select 9 to 16).
And vice versa.. add to IP 192.168.1.52 new IP channel 192.168.1.51, then you will be prompted which channels to import (select 9 to 16).

Have you actually tried this and does it work? What did you test it on?
I just tested on 2 NVRs (3.0.8 and 3.3.4) and both ways round it gives errors.

 

[combustion]

Need a bit more info to properly comment.

OK This is what I have right now
NVR #51
System Settings Basic Information
Model # DS-7616NI-E2 / 8P
Firmware Version V3.3.1 build 150422
Encoding Version V5.0 build 150415
Web Version V4.0.1 build 150331
Plugin Version V3.0.5.38
Network Basic Settings
NIC Type Auto
DHCP unchecked
IPv4 Address 192.168.1.51
IPv4 Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
MTU 1500
Systems Settings Camera Management
Channel IP Address Channel Management Security Status Protocol Connect
D01 192.168.254.7 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D02 192.168.254.11 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D03 192.168.254.9 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D04 192.168.254.2 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D05 192.168.254.6 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D06 192.168.254.5 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D07 192.168.254.8 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D08 192.168.254.13 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
NVR #52
System Settings Basic Information
Model # DS-7616NI-E2 / 8P
Firmware Version V3.3.2 build 150522
Encoding Version V5.0 build 150507
Web Version V4.0.1 build 150505
Plugin Version V3.0.5.40
Network Basic Settings
NIC Type Auto
DHCP unchecked
IPv4 Address 192.168.1.52
IPv4 Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
MTU 1500
Systems Settings Camera Management
Channel IP Address Channel Management Security Status Protocol Connect
D01 192.168.254.2 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D02 192.168.254.3 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D03 192.168.254.4 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D04 192.168.254.5 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D05 192.168.254.6 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D06 192.168.254.6 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D07 192.168.254.8 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION
D08 192.168.254.9 1 8000 N/A Online HIKVISION

What IP addresses have you used for the cameras in the BI config?

I have BI set to read 8 cameras from 1st nvr at 192.168.1.51, and 8 cameras from 2nd nvr at 192.168.1.52.
Have to select Hickvision 7600 nvr from camera drop down list for each camera, and set the port # 1-8

Desktop Windows 10 with IP setting of static 192.168.1.20, IP mask 192.168.1.0
BI camera #1 192.168.1.51 port 1
BI camera #2 192.168.1.51 port 2
BI camera #3 192.168.1.51 port 3
BI camera #4 192.168.1.51 port 4
BI camera #5 192.168.1.51 port 5
BI camera #6 192.168.1.51 port 6
BI camera #7 192.168.1.51 port 7
BI camera #8 192.168.1.51 port 8
BI camera #9 192.168.1.52 port 1
BI camera #10 192.168.1.52 port 2
BI camera #11 192.168.1.52 port 3
BI camera #12 192.168.1.52 port 4
BI camera #13 192.168.1.52 port 5
BI camera #14 192.168.1.52 port 6
BI camera #15 192.168.1.52 port 7
BI camera #16 192.168.1.52 port 8

16 cameras working on BI.

By default the IP addresses of the PoE ports in a 7616N-E2/8P will be in the range 192.168.254.x
Have you customised the IP address range of the PoE ports?

I have not changed the IP of the PoE ports.
I have tryed using 192.168.254.x for the IP address of cameras 9-16. Still gives no link, and a warning that the camera IP already exists.
The .51 NVR has 2 that are diferent 192.168.254.11, 192.168.254.13
Using these on the .52 NVR still gives no link, but a warning of network abnormal. I have tryed a lan network IP Mask of 192.0.0.0, 192.168.0.0, 192.168.1.0, 192.168.254.0 all with same result.

Just add to IP 192.168.1.51 new IP channel 192.168.1.52, then you will be prompted which channels to import (select 9 to 16).
And vice versa.. add to IP 192.168.1.52 new IP channel 192.168.1.51, then you will be prompted which channels to import (select 9 to 16).

This is the first thing I tryed, I get errors. Thinking the NVR would show up as a camera with multiple video streams.
I think the NVR is only looking for cameras by default, There might be a setting that will have it look at a NVR, or maybe a custom protocol.

Unless I've misread the post, the cameras are all connected to the respective NVR PoE ports, and this was just an experiment:I added a camera to the lan 192.168.1.101, and can see it on both nvrs "camera #9" and BI.

Yes this was to test my setup. Right now there is just the 2 NVRs and a desktop hooked up to a 5 port switch. The 17th camera was to check that the NVRs could see cameras on the lan port, the camera was set to 192.168.1.101. I was able to see that camera on both NVRs and BI at the same time.

I think it will be much easier if you don't play with the internal PoE network at all.

I am going to have both NVR record 24/7, why waste BI with this recording. The NVRs are going to be a backup for the BI desktop, should something happen. Using the PoE ports simplify installation, reduces equipement, simplifyes wiring, oh and reduces cost.



Sure this is clear as mudd
Thanks For the Help, It is much appreciated

 

[alastairstevenson]

That's a very comprehensive and clear response.
So - it looks like BI has a built-in Hikvision NVR model that may use what I think is an undocumented feature where the NVR provides RTSP streams derived from the connected cameras.
On earlier versions (eg 3.0.8) of NVR firmware than on your NVRs, these streams can be seen using the very good Windows open-source tool 'ONVIF Device Manager' from sourceforge.net on the 'Receivers' page, for example:

If it's working for you in BI, that suggests these streams still exist in your NVRs with the newer firmware, despite that the ONVIF support in the NVR has been dropped.
It will be easy enough to test out, as follows:
To use the RTSP streams it's necessary to configure a 'Custom protocol' for each required camera, using the 'Custom protocol' tab in Camera Management.
Here is an example for channel 4:

Next, again in Camera Management, use 'Add' to add the new channel, using the 'Custom protocol' that was defined, with the IP address of the other NVR, like so:

And hopefully after clicking OK, the stream from the other NVR will then show in Live View.
And if that works OK, repeat for each camera and each NVR.
As it's an RTSP stream from the NVR, and not a connection direct to the PoE-connected camera (that's possible, but a whole different story ...), it will be a recording-only connection with no motion detection, unlike BI which does it's own analysis of the video streams. So you need to configure the recording schedule as required.
And don't forget to save a copy of the NVR configurations when you have done configuring.
Good luck!

 

[Dreamboat]

This is the first thing I tryed, I get errors. Thinking the NVR would show up as a camera with multiple video streams.
I think the NVR is only looking for cameras by default, There might be a setting that will have it look at a NVR, or maybe a custom protocol.

Yes, I can confirm that now also. Previously i had experience by adding DVR to NVR - it worked OK, here you can add all available channels from DVR to NVR. Obviously from NVR to NVR is a different story.
alastairstevenson made a good suggestion to use RTSP in case you can sacrifice the motion detection, and some other funcitionality. I've just tested it on DS-7608NI-E2 / 8P/A, FW V3.3.4 build 150616, and it works OK using the folling settings:

 

[alastairstevenson]

Interesting!
How did you derive the required RTSP string, the 'resource path' with the PSIA prefix?
Does your 7608NI-E2 show up at all using ONVIF Device Manager?
And is the IP address that of the DVR?
The forms look different from those I've seen in various firmware version of the 7816N-E2 that I have. But provide the same end result.

Excuse all the questions ...

 

[combustion]

To use the RTSP streams it's necessary to configure a 'Custom protocol' for each required camera, using the 'Custom protocol' tab in Camera Management.
Here is an example for channel 4:

That works perfectly. The only potential problem, live view can only show 5 custom cameras, then it starts displaying "NO RESOURCE" All channels are recording. This must just take up too much resource to display. Changing to a 1+7, 1+5, 2*2 clears up the message. As I don't plan on having a monitor hooked up to the NVRs, This is not a problem.

Using custom stream paths I have set up the 192.168.1.51 NVR like this
/streaming/channels/101
/streaming/channels/201
/streaming/channels/301
/streaming/channels/401
/streaming/channels/501
/streaming/channels/601
/streaming/channels/701
/streaming/channels/801

Thanks alastairstevenson

Yes, I can confirm that now also. Previously i had experience by adding DVR to NVR - it worked OK, here you can add all available channels from DVR to NVR. Obviously from NVR to NVR is a different story.
alastairstevenson made a good suggestion to use RTSP in case you can sacrifice the motion detection, and some other funcitionality. I've just tested it on DS-7608NI-E2 / 8P/A, FW V3.3.4 build 150616, and it works OK using the folling settings:

Using custom stream paths I have set up the 192.168.1.52 NVR like this
/psia/streaming/channels/101
/psia/streaming/channels/201
/psia/streaming/channels/301
/psia/streaming/channels/401
/psia/streaming/channels/501
/psia/streaming/channels/601
/psia/streaming/channels/701
/psia/streaming/channels/801

I get the same "NO RESOURCE" message. Still recording all channels. and appears to be working the same as without the "psia"

Thanks Dreamboat


I will let both NVRs run like this, 24/7 recording is all I wanted from the NVRs.

Using 301 seams to give better video, over 302.
Is 301 main stream and 302 sub stream?


And again Thanks

 

[Dreamboat]

Yes, x01 is the main stream, x02 is the sub stream, x03 could be a third (trans coded) stream if available.
You better use both streams (as shown on my screenshots), thus you will help for smoother decoding when displaying multiple cameras, and avoid "No resource" message, which means you have reached local decoding capabilities.

 

[alastairstevenson]

Is 301 main stream and 302 sub stream?

Yes, that's correct.

Well done for getting there.
And don't forget to save the configurations in a safe place, just in case.

 

[Dreamboat]

Interesting!
How did you derive the required RTSP string, the 'resource path' with the PSIA prefix?
Does your 7608NI-E2 show up at all using ONVIF Device Manager?
And is the IP address that of the DVR?
The forms look different from those I've seen in various firmware version of the 7816N-E2 that I have. But provide the same end result.

Excuse all the questions ...

I think I found that RTSP string somewhere in the Internet, not from ONVIF device manager. Snapshots are taken from iVMS4200.

 

[combustion]

You better use both streams (as shown on my screenshots), thus you will help for smoother decoding when displaying multiple cameras, and avoid "No resource" message, which means you have reached local decoding capabilities.

I didn't even think about setting up the "sub stream"
Went back through the custom camera config and added them, no more "No resource" displays.

Thanks for pointing that out to me.

Dreamboat

Re: Trying to get 2 DS-7616NI-E2/8P to share cameras

Originally Posted by alastairstevenson
Interesting!
How did you derive the required RTSP string, the 'resource path' with the PSIA prefix?
Does your 7608NI-E2 show up at all using ONVIF Device Manager?
And is the IP address that of the DVR?
The forms look different from those I've seen in various firmware version of the 7816N-E2 that I have. But provide the same end result.

Excuse all the questions ...



I think I found that RTSP string somewhere in the Internet, not from ONVIF device manager. Snapshots are taken from iVMS4200.​

I was thinking that I have seen this string before, and while I was going back through the BlueIris camera settings, I found out where I had seen it.