alienDVR

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The New alienDVR - Support

Connect your DVR to a network

A small amount of configuration on the DVR and router is all that is required to access the DVR across a network.

The Alien DVR Utilises the reliable TCP/IP protocol. Connection is made via either:

• An Ethernet ‘cross over’ cable, if connected directly to a PC.

Or

• An Ethernet ‘patch’ cable, if connecting directly to a router.

To effectively connect the DVR to a network the following entries need to be in place in the DVR network menu.

IP Address [IP]:

This is the unique address assigned by a user to the DVR. It's A 32 bit number e.g. 192.168.1.50 (4 groups of 8 bits) that is divided into two distinct portions.

1. The Network Portion – Which must match the network portion of all IP addresses on a Local Area Network (LAN)
2. The Host Portion – Which must be unique to each client (piece of equipment) on the local network.

Subnet Mask [Mask]:

The Subnet Mask or Mask, defines the network portion of the IP address. On most small private networks this might typically be 255.255.255.0.

Where this is the case, the first 3 groups (or numbers) of the IP address represent the network portion, ie 192.168.1.108

By default, the end group, ie 192.168.1.108 represent the ‘host portion’ of the network address, which must be unique to the DVR.

Gateway:

This is the unique address of the router connected to the DVR. Again it's a 32 bit number (4 groups of 8 bits) which will often be the default address of the router used (dependant on make).

Often, in a small private network the third group (ie. 192.168.1.108) of all IP addresses is defined by the routers default address.

Service Port [Port]:

The Service port refers to the port that offers the ‘client software’ (the software used on a PC or mobile phone) access to the functionality and files of the AlienDVR over a network.

By default this is set to 8000, however it can be changed to suit the Firewall security settings for the router.

Http Port:

The AlienDVR is capable of being accessed by Internet Explorer over a local network or over the internet, allowing even greater flexibility for operators on the move.

However, Internet Explorer (IE) requires a specific software component to enable it to connect to the AlienDVR. The http Port refers to the port that needs to be accessed by IE to acquire an ‘Active X Control’, with which to view channels and files on the DVR. By default this is set to port 80 in the AlienDVR network page.

On initial connection to the DVR, by a specific PC using IE, a request will be made to down load an active X control. Once this is allowed (by clicking on the request bar) a small piece of software will be combined with IE to allow access to video files, audio files and live camera views.

Occasionally, IE security settings may block this functionality. In which case, users should drop down security settings for loading Active X controls temporarily whilst this operation is completed. Security settings can then be re-established once the Active X component is installed.

Firewall Security

The router connected to the AlienDVR maintains a Firewall so that the network is secure and protected against outside interference. Firewall Security can be configured to allow communication to and from specific devices on a network. As such there are two methods commonly employed to do this:

DMZ (De-Militarised Zone) – effectively opens all port access relative to a registered LAN Client. Implementing a DMZ is both quick and simple, but can only be applied to a single client (or piece of equipment) on the network and does not offer the best security solution.

Port Forwarding – opens specific ports (in the case of the AlienDVR, ports 8000 and 80) relative to the registered LAN Client. It offers a more secure solution for multiple clients on the network, although it can be a more complex process to implement.

Generally speaking the configuring of Firewall security varies greatly between manufacturers of routers. Installers are advised to pay close attention to Firewall set-up as laid down in the router manual and if necessary contact the appropriate support centre for further guidance.