Remote Access – What Do You Need To Know?
Configuration of Remote Access
One of the advantages of using an IP based surveillance system is the ease of access that can be granted to authorized users of the surveillance network. Not only can an IP camera be browsed to locally within a local network but there is also potential to be able to view an IP camera remotely via the Internet as well. Remote access is not just limited to IP cameras however. IP video encoders (video servers), Network Video Recorders (NVRs) and IP network video surveillance software also all have the potential to be accessed remotely using the Internet. Such capabilities allow for the potential of increased security by having the ability to not only monitor while onsite at the camera’s location but by also adding the ability to monitor the location remotely.
Imagine receiving an alert notifying you that a door was open at your place of work and then having the ability to view a live video feed of the camera stationed at that opened door or around that area so that you can instantly see if there is a legitimate break in or if one of your employees was simply coming in an hour earlier to get some extra work done. Imagine sitting on the beach during a vacation and being able to monitor your house remotely to see if that dog is again sniffing around those garbage cans. Or imagine being employed by a large city to maintain security at public locations throughout the entire city. Maybe your job with the city includes constant travel between these locations. This makes it hard to be constantly updated as to what is happening at each location at any given moment. With IP surveillance technology and remote access you have the ability to view live video feeds from different cameras even via your cell phone.
This article has been created to be used as a guide to help point you in the right direction for what parts of your IP video surveillance network can be accessed remotely, the information you will need to obtain for remote access configuration and as to what the configuration process entails for remote access to be accomplished.
Remote Access Preparation
Before you are able to allow for remote access you will first need to determine what devices need to be accessible remotely, how are these devices configured in relation to where you can or will be accessing them from and what sort of possible barriers or hurtles must be overcome to allow for remote access.
What Devices Do I Need Access To?
IP network video surveillance can include an extended list of devices within the categories of IP network cameras, video servers or video encoders. These devices all have the potential to be accessed directly or can be accessed via a network video surveillance software application that supports them. Before you enable remote access to these devices or to the video surveillance network you will first need to determine which aspects of your surveillance network you wish users to be able to access over the Internet from a remote location.
IP Network Camera
An IP camera or network camera can be accessed directly via a supported web browser or via a monitoring or surveillance software application. If all you require is a single video feed from one IP camera or will only require viewing one IP camera at a time remotely then you may simple choose to forward the traffic of your IP camera(s) for access through the Internet. If you need to see multiple cameras at once, access recorded video data and more then opening up access to a network video surveillance software application may be the route you are looking to take instead.
Video Encoder (Video Server)
A video encoder has many of the same functions as an IP camera only without the camera portion built in. A video encoder will accept an analog video feed in for conversion to a digital video feed. Video encoders may be accessed most commonly in the same manner as an IP network camera. The same principles as with IP cameras apply with a video encoder. If all you need is a single video feed at any given time then you simply need to forward access to the video encoder directly. If you need to see multiple cameras at once, access recorded video data and more then opening up access to a network video surveillance software application may be the route you are looking to take instead.
Network Video Surveillance Software
Depending on the device manufacturer, network video surveillance software will either be included with the device you purchase or in some cases may require you to purchase the software separately. There are many third party software developers with surveillance software offerings that add more advanced features over software applications that come bundled with network surveillance products. Also, bundled software tends to be proprietary in nature and will only support devices by one manufacturer. However, many third party software applications allow for multiple cameras and encoders from multiple manufacturers to work together seamlessly under one application. If you need access to multiple video streams at once, access to recorded data or access to other software specific functions then you will need to forward access to your network video surveillance software application. On occasion you may need to configure some additional settings within the software application.
Network Video Recorder (NVR)
The definition of a Network Video Recorder can sometimes encompass more than a single defined device. The most commonly accepted definition would entail a standalone device made to encompass storage, an OS platform running NVR software and allow for communication to IP networks and IP addressable surveillance devices. However, any modern Windows based PC can become an NVR by installing compatible network video surveillance software and connecting it to a network. There are even hybrid standalone boxes or computer cards that allow for analog CCTV cameras to connect and gain many more capabilities similar to those found with IP network cameras. Accessing a network video recorder should be similar to accessing network video surveillance software applications. In fact, configuration for remote access to an NVR should be almost identical to the configuration needed for network video surveillance software.
Additional Devices
There are other devices and software applications that have the potential to be accessed remotely as well but are outside of the scope of this article. These devices include audible indication and alarms, door sensors and locks, as well as expanded software applications that can include remote support or administration. Most of these devices or applications are accessible via a network camera, video encoder or software interface.
Cell Phone Mobile Surveillance Access
On a simplified level, an IP camera can send a snapshot picture to an email account accessible via a cell phone. This is something that almost anyone with a cell phone can accomplish these days due to the technology and service plans available. However, cell phone surveillance can be expanded via Smart Phone and 3GPP technology to allow for more advanced capabilities. More and more IP network devices are including mobile surveillance capabilities with options configurable through the camera or video encoder directly. It is possible to adjust camera settings and video resolution for a Mobile Feed where video could then be accessible directly on a cell phone. There are applications that allow for advanced PTZ control at your finger tips, access to multiple cameras from different locations and even remote video playback. With such capabilities the potential of mobile surveillance becomes apparent rather quickly.
What information do I need?
In order for an IP camera, video encoder, NVR or network video surveillance software application to be accessed remotely you will need to determine and configure a path from the local (LAN) network that they operate within, out and onto the Internet (WAN). You will need to create this path by forwarding the required network ports. Port Forwarding (www.portforward.com), also referred to as Port Mapping, is configured on the network router or firewall within the IP device network. This network will encompass all IP cameras, encoders and software part of your surveillance network. A network router or firewall may also be referred to as your Network Gateway. The network gateway to be configured with Port Forwarding must have a connection to the Internet. There are many guides that can be found online that help with port forwarding. Many of these guides are specific for certain router brands or models. However, there are also guides that are more open and can be used as reference for most network routers. You should also be able to find details on port forwarding directly from the router manufacturer or included in the user manual that came with your router. It is important to note that each software application or device (if accessed outside of the application) must be assigned a unique network port. You may need to change the default port assigned to your IP camera, video encoder or network surveillance application so that it differs from a network port already in use.
In addition to port forwarding, you will also need to determine what your Public Internet IP Address is. This is the address to which you will gain access to your surveillance network or devices on your surveillance network. There are many websites (www.whatismyip.com) that can provide this IP address information. Your public IP address information may also be found on the network router that connects to the Internet or by contacting your ISP (Internet Service Provider). What you will need to determine along with your public IP address is if the public IP address is Static or Dynamic. Most residential Internet connections utilize a Dynamic IP Address that will change from time to time based on a time interval as set by your ISP. This means that your public IP address will change from time to time which leaves access to your surveillance network potentially complicated. However, if you configure and use a DDNS (Dynamic DNS) service then you are able to run an application that will constantly probe for the latest dynamic IP address that is assigned to you by your ISP. You will then be able to access your surveillance network by an easy to remember Domain Name (ex. myipcamera.ddns.com) instead of having to discover what your public IP address is on a regular basis. A Static IP Address is usually assigned to large business applications but can also be used for residential applications. A static IP address will remain constant and will not change like a dynamic IP address will. A static IP address can be requested from your ISP usually for an additional charge or by upgrading your Internet service account.
Once setup is complete, how do I access these devices?
Once all port forwarding has been completed and you have all the necessary information required then you should be able to access your surveillance network remotely over the Internet. If you only need to access your IP cameras or video encoders separately then this will be accomplished by browsing to each IP camera or video encoder via Internet Explorer or another supported Internet web browser. If you are trying to access a network video surveillance software application then you may be able to access the application by a supported web browser or may need to install a local client application on your computer.
You will need to know the Public IP Address for the Internet connection located at the source of your video surveillance network. As was discussed earlier, the public IP address may be Static (constant), or Dynamic (periodically changing). Alternatively you may use a DDNS or standard DNS name if applicable. In addition to this you will also need to know the network port that was forwarded via port forwarding that applies to the network device or application to which you are accessing remotely.
Once you have both the public IP address information and the network port you will then be able to access the devices or applications by Internet Explorer or another supported Internet web browser.
**Example: http://123.123.123.123:800 or http://www.mycamera.no-ip.com:800
Where:
123.123.123.123 is the Public IP Address
800 is the network port configured via Port Forwarding
mycamera is the DDNS domain name
no-ip.com is the DDNS service provider
**Please note this is a fictional example and is not intended for use. Access by using a DDNS service is not required but may be used as an alternative.
If a local client application is required for remote access of a network video surveillance software application then the example above may also be applicable but instead of being inputted into a web browser address bar, will be inputted into the local client software application directly.
In conclusion
Remote access adds another level of security to your surveillance network and also adds a level of convenience once not seen with video surveillance installations. With Internet access widely available access to a network video surveillance application is easy and allows for added piece of mind knowing that the surveillance network can be accessed at a moment’s notice if required without the need to visit the site directly. Mobile surveillance capabilities on a 3G Smart Phone cell phone only add to this making remote surveillance even more accessible.
