How to Configure Device Authentication in DW Spectrum IPVMS
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Affected Roles: Administrators
Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum IPVMS
Software Version: DW Spectrum IPVMS v5.0 or newer
Last Edit: August 13, 2024
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Authentication Issues
By default, DW Spectrum Server will use an auto-discovery feature to scan the local network for ONVIF compliant cameras. Once a camera is discovered, it is displayed in the Resource Tree (left panel).
Some devices, such as DW MEGApix IP Cameras, require that a device password be created or entered when access is attempted for the first time. They will display in the Resource Tree, but an authentication error will display when an attempt has failed with such devices.
During the discovery process, DW Spectrum attempts to use the manufacturer’s default credentials to access a discovered device to acquire media streams for video. However, default login and passwords can vary between models, manufacturers, and there is the possibility that a discovered camera has already been assigned a customized administrator login.
- **NOTE: If you are using a new DW MEGApix IP Camera and have not assigned a password to the device, check out the KB article Assigning Passwords to MEGApix IP Cameras to create the administrator credentials.
- **NOTE: Many third-party manufacturers require additional Onvif profile configuration - most commonly Hikvision/Hikvision OEM(Hunt, Northern, etc.). If using Hikvision OEM, please refer to the KB article Enabling Onvif on Hikvision Cameras.
When managing a DW MEGApix IP Camera, in addition to assigning the camera an administrator password during the initial camera setup, the DW Spectrum System Owner user or an Administrator may need to change the authorization parameters for DW Spectrum.
This article will outline how to change the Authentication Credentials in DW Spectrum to achieve access to a detected camera.
Supported/Affected Devices
- DW MEGApix® IP Camera Series
- DW Blackjack® Server Series
Changing DW Spectrum Device Authentication
If the username and password of a device does not match the default authentication settings of DW Spectrum (admin|admin), the device is shown as “Unauthorized” and a notification symbol in the Resource Tree will be displayed. Attempting to display video streams from an unauthorized device will result in an error message.
- Authentication Error
- No Signal
Changing DW Spectrum Device Authentication Credentials
To change the Authentication Credentials for DW Spectrum:
- From the Resource Tree (left panel), right-click on the device and select “Camera Settings”.
**NOTE: If you are changing authentication credentials for multiple devices, you may configure multiple cameras at once. To do so, hold CTRL and left-click on your desired cameras. Be aware that all selected cameras will be assigned to the same login credentials if selected in this manner.
- In the Camera Settings menu, select the General tab.
Locate the Authentication section and click the Edit Credentials button.
- An Authentication Credentials popup window will display.
From this window enter the Login (username) and Password that is used to access the camera directly. Keep in mind that the Authentication Credentials of the camera and the user login for DW Spectrum System are separate login credentials.
Click the OK button to close the popup, then click the Apply button to save the changes.
- The Unauthorized icon and label will be removed, and the camera will be accessible for video and configuration changes once the correct login credentials for the camera have been applied.
This completes the Device Authentication changes process for DW Spectrum IPVMS.
