How Do I configure Nikvision NVR to add several remote cameras using a POE switch?

[Leodan]

I have Nikvision NVR (DS-7616NXI-K2/16P) and various Hikvision cameras (dome, panoramic, bullet). I setup the NVR using the installation wizard (i.e. accepting the default addresses etc). My NVR is connected to a router with internet access, and, when connectd to the NVR ports, I am able to view any of the cameras on by mobile via Hik-Connect.

I want to add 4 cameras in a remote location by connecting them to a TP-Link POE switch (SG1005P) and running a single cable from the switch to the NVR. I believe I should be able to connect the incoming cable from the switch to a regular NVR port. But when I do this, I can only see one of the switch-connected cameras at a time. Seems to me there is some configuration requred to get all 4 cameras to display. I have looked for help online and various YouTube videoas indicate that all you have to do is plug the cameras into the switch, and the switch cable to the NVR port and - Voila!

How do I configure the NVR \ Switch to see all the remote cameras?

Thanks in advance
Sean (Leodan)

 

[sportster]

1. you need to manually set a VALID IP address on each of the 4 remote cameras. Use the same IP address "range" that is defined within your NVR. That range might be "192.168.254.xxx" (or it might be some other IP range. Depends how you previously set that up).
   • use SADP to create the valid IP address on each camera.
   • keep track of the IP addresses assigned. You don't want any duplicates.
2. within the NVR firmware find 4 unused ports..... such as D5, D6, D7, D8
3. physically plug the cable from the TP Link into ONE of chosen NVR's POE ports: 5, 6, 7, or 8. Leave the other 3 ports unplugged.
4. (optionally) plug a laptop with SADP into ANY unused NVR POE port and verify that SADP sees ALL cameras in your NVR's POE network. All cameras should be in the correct IP address range. Fix any problems with IP addresses, etc. before proceeding.
5. in the NVR firmware, set the D5 port to manual (from plug and play). Now manually add the IP address for the D5 camera to the D5 port.
   • repeat for ports D6, D7, D8
6. (optionally) re-boot the NVR.
7. repeat step 4 at any time, if any problems are encountered. You'll need the SADP info for troubleshooting.

As an aside, adding a switch to an NVR POE port is NOT recommended but has been seen to work. One has to set the ports to manual (vs plug 'n play) plus one runs the risk of "saturating" that SINGLE inter-switch link. So, keep the frames per second on each remote camera within reason...... or don't complain should any performance issues arise.

 

[Leodan]

Thank you very much for the helpful suggestions. I am still trying to find the time to move forward on this installation, and reading up in the meantime. I mean to give this a try, although saturation may be an issue since I will be connecting 4 cameras, 2 of which are panoramic (180).

 

[sportster]

Don't get "too" concerned re: saturating the inter-switch link, just yet.

I don't have your environment to test with, but looking at my own switches & individual camera links running @ 100Mbs..... then with a bit of math I'll offer this:

• with 4 cameras sharing a single 100Mbs link:
  • keep your frames per second (FPS) on each camera @ 20 FPS OR LESS (12-15 is probably adequate) & I suspect (no guarantees) you'll be fine.
  • if not, lower the FPS until it does work ok. (or temporarily reduce the number of cameras)
  • higher than 20 FPS & I suspect you'll enter a grey area were problems begin to show up
  • you'll need to test it, to figure out what works for you.

 

[Leodan]

Thanks - 12-15FPS is not gonna kill me anyway

 

[Dart18]

I am a newbie and planning a Hikvison 8 camera system. I think Leodan may have asked my question. I want to consider two things:

1. Plug three Hikvision 4M/6M IP cameras into a POE switch and take a cable directly from the switch to a Hikvison NVR (not through a router), or
2. Plug six Hikvision 4M/6M IP cameras into a POE switch, and take a single Cat6 cable, which plugs in to a Hikvison NVR (not through a router)

Questions:

1. Do I need to go through sportster’s config to be able to see the three cameras (case 1) or the six cameras (case 2)?
2. Will Cat6 be enough to carry the traffic from the six cameras (case 2)?
3. Will I saturate the NVR port in case 2?

The reason for the questions are that:

• I am not sure I can pull the three cables to the NVR (case 1) and so the POE would allow me to route only one cable
• I’d like to have options on where to place the NVR (i.e. out of the way) and this is a different place to where the six camera cables would enter the house (case 2)

If there is an alternative way of achieving the end result, specifically on locating the NVR remote from the cable entries, I’d be grateful for comments.

 

[sportster]

There are many ways to accomplish what I think you're after. Hopefully what I'm about to suggest is not beyond your skill level. In any event, one option to consider:

1. you probably want to avoid an NVR with the /8P or /16P designation. Therefore, my go to would be an NVR with the Dual LAN adapters.
2. acquire 2 x switches..... maybe 2 POE switches or maybe 1 POE switch & 1 non-POE switch. Depends whether or not you want POE devices directly connected to the 2nd switch. If in doubt, 2 POE switches & you won't be wrong.
3. if you have the opportunity & budget, install 2 (or more) cables (either CAT6 or fibre) between the switches. And use the Link Aggregation (aka LACP / IEEE802.ad) feature in your switches to load balance traffic. IEEE 802.3ad support in both switches will cost a bit more & is slightly more complex to set up, so choose the switches wisely. The right choice of switch(es) should future proof your system.
4. with 2 switches, NVR & camera location is pretty much up to you.

 

[Dart18]

Thank you for the speedy response. Just to clarify the knowledge jump between answers (3) and (4):

• POE switch 1 to have 3 camera inputs
• POE switch 2 to have 3 camera inputs
• Pair of Cat6 or fibre between the two POEs

Then:

• One POE to connect over Cat6(?) to the Dual LAN NVR, with the second LAN port connected to the router for access over the internet? Or,
• Both POEs to connect to each of the NVR LAN ports over Cat6(?) - but that means the NVR has no LAN/internet access

Given your comments about traffic between the POEs I'm thinking that I'm wrong to take only one Cat6 to the NVR, but I doubt I should take a pair of cables to the NVR as that means I use up both ports and can't access it over the internet.

 

[sportster]

Do this:

• One POE to connect over Cat6(?) to the Dual LAN NVR, with the second LAN port connected to the router for access over the internet?

Don't do this:

• Both POEs to connect to each of the NVR LAN ports over Cat6(?) - but that means the NVR has no LAN/internet access

You're thinking is incorrect on this statement:

• Given your comments about traffic between the POEs I'm thinking that I'm wrong to take only one Cat6 to the NVR

You would in fact only use 1 NVR LAN connection to the POE switch(es). The switches manage the traffic between the switches (all without the knowledge of the NVR). The dual LACP connections provide a load balancing function between switches and an automatic failover in the event one connection fails.

This diagram might help with the understanding or give you additional ideas. VLANs are used (in the diagram) to cut down on the number of physical switches needed. But VLANs aren't mandatory.... although it would force one to use unique switches instead.

 

[Dart18]

Hello, and thank you. If I summarise what I see:

1. Two POE switches linked by two Cat6/fibre cables
2. POE switch 1 (or non-POE if no POE camera attached) connected to:
   1. both NVR LAN ports, and
   2. router
3. POE switch 2 has POE cameras attached, only

That's it

As best I can work out, the Second POE switch isn't connected to anything that is physical other than the cameras' Cat6 and the 2 x Cat6/fibre to the First POE. The references to SADP are a config/logic statement since SADP is a software tool. I.e. there is no further cabling involved.

And all camera traffic travels from the Second POE switch along either of the two yellow Cat6/fibres, according to the handshake between the two POEs.

Do I have it right?

Thank you for your forbearance.

 

[sportster]

You have it correct.

Remember, though, the diagram is just a "sample". It's not the only way "networking" can be done. I'm not trying to confuse you, but I'll attempt to add further clarification to your comments, below:

"Two POE switches linked by two Cat6/fibre cables".

Correct. The cables could be anything supported by the switch hardware. Cat6, fibre @ 1Gb, 10Gb, 40Gb.... whatever your wallet can handle. 1,2,3 or more cables could be used but in practice, 2 is normally good enough. The cost of equipment needed to support 3 or more cables might become prohibited. If 1 cable is used, then, of course, you loose the load balancing & failover functionality.

"POE switch 1 connected to both NVR LAN ports, and router"

Correct. BUT logically VIRTUAL LAN (VLAN) 100 does NOT see anything in VIRTUAL LAN 200 or vice versa. ANY switch that supports VLANs keeps the traffic in one VLAN 100% isolated from the other VLANs. The NVR/cameras/PC laptops are totally unaware there is a VLAN present in the switches.

"POE switch 2 has POE cameras attached, only"

Correct. BUT switch 2 could have ANY IP device connected. Just connect the device in the appropriate VLAN port.

"As best I can work out, the Second POE switch isn't connected to anything that is physical other than the cameras' Cat6 and the 2 x Cat6/fibre to the First POE."

Correct. (if you wish, plug your kid's home computer into VLAN 100 on switch 1 or switch 2 & they have access to the internet)

"The references to SADP are a config/logic statement since SADP is a software tool. I.e. there is no further cabling involved."

Correct. Think of SADP as a PC/laptop, with SADP software. The cat6 cabling would just be whatever is needed to connect your laptop to the switch. Just be sure to plug the laptop into the correct VLAN port.

"And all camera traffic travels from the Second POE switch along either of the two yellow Cat6/fibres, according to the handshake between the two POEs."

Correct. The ports used, in the switches, are referred to as TRUNK ports. The trunk ports carry the inter-switch traffic. Add a 3rd switch if you want.... just use another trunk port.... but now we're getting overly complex for your situation.

 

[Dart18]

Super, thank you so much for your help and for the clarity of your responses. I feel much more comfortable about the entire set-up.