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Affected Roles: Administrator
Complexity: Medium to High
Last Edit: March 9, 2020
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When connecting to a DVR using a mobile application or from a computer, communication between the devices is dependent on network connectivity. Networks are typically comprised of two main parts:
The type of network connection determines how devices can connect with a DVR, as well as how to troubleshoot any network issues that may occur. For example, the use of an internal LAN address will only allow connection to the DVR if the connecting device is on the same internal LAN as the DVR.
This article will describe common network connection problems and how to troubleshoot the issues, depending on the type of network connection that the issue is occurring on.
Note: It is recommended that you are onsite when troubleshooting network issues.
Note: If you have not completed the Network set up process, please read the following article most relevant to your DVR model:
Network Setup For A VMAX A1 Plus
Network setting information for the VMAX standalone units can be found within the Network Menu of the DVR.
The following information is the default Network and System settings of the VMAX A1 Plus:
Note: The VMAX A1 Series and the VMAX 960H Core Series combine the TCP/IP Port and Web Port into the Network Port (80).
A common issue that Users may encounter when trying to connect with their DVR, is being able to connect and monitor camera streams only while onsite, but not while they are away.
If a User is trying to connect with a DVR from an outside location, the DVR requires an unhindered Internet connection to communicate with the outside device, as well as Port Forwarding permissions through the router.
If you are encountering problems connecting over WAN:
Port Forwarding Status
To check the Port Forwarding rule(s) status, open a browser on a local computer that shares the same network as the DVR.
This site pulls the Public IP Address of the router and allows you to test port forwarding rules. You will want your port(s) to show successfully open.
If the network issue was caused by a power interruption, power-cycling the DVR may re-establish network communication with the router. Check the port status again after the DVR completes its reboot.
If any of the ports show closed, or you are still unable to connect remotely over the WAN, confirm that your DVR is still communicating over LAN and that there are not typos in the Port Forwarding Rule(s). If Port Forwarding was not set up on the router, please read the most relevant Network Setup article (listed above and at the bottom of this article).
Otherwise, proceed with troubleshooting the Local Area Network (LAN) connection.
When encountering external connectivity issues with a DVR, it is a good idea to verify if you have the ability to connect internally as well.
Before the DVR communicates over the Internet, it connects with local devices within the Local Network (LAN). Examples of local devices are computers, phones, tablets, and any other devices within the same network as the DVR.
While connected over the Local Network, these devices can communicate without the presence of an external network (WAN) connection.
To connect with the DVR over LAN:
If you are using a Public Address (WAN) in the form of either a Public IP or a DDNS address, you will not be able to connect to the DVR by Wi-Fi (LAN) or with an ethernet (LAN) connection. This is because the use of an external (WAN) address will not allow communication with internal (LAN) devices.
Testing LAN Connection
If you have a computer connected to the same LAN as the DVR, open a web browser and enter the DVR’s IP Address into the address bar. If the DVR has been assigned a Web Port value of anything other than 80, you will also need to specify the Web Port value in the address bar.
Example:
DVR IP: 192.168.1.90
Web Port: 8245
Example URL for connecting from a browser:
If the address is entered correctly and the DVR is communicating over the LAN, the DVR’s Web Viewer will display. The User ID and Password will be the same login that is used at the DVR as well (Default: admin/--- (no password)).
Note: Please be aware that the Web Viewer requires the use of the ActiveX plugin "WebACS" to stream video to your browser. Use of Internet Explorer is recommended viewing streams from your browser is intended. Otherwise, you should still have access to the DVR's menus and settings.
Alternatively, you may test the LAN connection from a mobile application (DW VMAX or DW Mobile) or sending a ping command from a computer.
If you are unable to connect with the DVR over LAN, have rebooted the DVR and the issue persists, or have not completed the DVR’s Network set up process, you may need to reconfigure the Network settings of the DVR. Otherwise, there may be an issue occurring with the router or other network hardware causing the connection interruption.
Please refer to the following article that is most relevant to your DVR model: