Network Setup

For most systems using Avigilon-certified network video recorders (NVRs) and NVR workstations, no network configuration is required.

If your system uses zero-configuration networking (Zeroconf), follow the guidelines below to use a static IP address or DHCP enabled network instead.

IP Addressing

Plan the IP addressing scheme for server network ports, cameras, devices, and viewing stations.

1. Determine the number and type of network interface card (NIC) ports of the server.
2. Determine the quantity and location of the cameras and devices. Refer to the system design files to determine how many server NICs are required for inbound video traffic and group cameras and devices accordingly.<![CDATA[
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3. If the cameras and devices are grouped, assign each group to a unique IP subnet.
   Use a subnet mask that defines the required network scope (for example, networks with less than 250 devices generally use a 255.255.255.0 subnet mask).<![CDATA[ ]]>
4. Assign one server NIC port for outbound video traffic. Assign only one default network gateway to it. This will connect to the customer’s network where the viewing stations are and also for Internet access.
5. Use the other server NICs for the camera network. These are for inbound video traffic.

• Each NIC belongs to one unique IP subnet.
• If using VLANs, one subnet should belong to one unique VLAN.
• Do not assign any default network gateway to these NICs. Camera traffic should be as local as possible.
• Assign one static private IP address to each NIC. If using DHCP, use IP address reservation so each NIC always gets the same unique IP address.
• For the initial setup:
• If using Static IP addressing:
• Assign a temporary second IP address to each NIC. This is a unique Zeroconf IP address of 169.254.x.x network with a 255.255.0.0 subnet mask. After the cameras and devices using the Zeroconf subnet are connected to the

  ACC

  Server, change their IP addresses to the private IP address subnet of the server NIC.

For example, a server NIC has:

IP address / subnet mask: 192.168.10.10 / 255.255.255.0
Temporary IP address / subnet mask: 169.254.100.100 / 255.255.0.0

After cameras (with IP addresses 169.254.x.x) are connected to the ACC Server, change the camera IP addresses to 192.168.x.x / 255.255.255.0 range.

• After the initial setup, remove the server NIC’s temporary 169.254.x.x IP addresses.
• If using a DHCP enabled network:
• Consider the DHCP lease time configured on the DHCP server. When the lease time expires, the cameras will negotiate an IP address renewal and this may cause an interruption in the video streaming. This might appear as an abnormal camera restart.
• Set the DHCP lease time to Forever, or long enough to minimize unnecessary camera IP address renewals.
• If possible, set DHCP reservations so each camera always gets the same unique IP address.

Network Connectivity

Ensure each server NIC is connected to a network switch port that is 1 Gbps or higher.

The server NIC connected to the customer’s network can have a 100 Mbps connection if the expected outbound traffic is low.