If your DVR offers P2P or Peer to Peer type connection, this is the easiest way to establish a quick connection to
smart phones and tablets etc on the WAN. Most DVR's will also have a web page service for PC's some older ones might not! You will then have to use proprietary software that came with the machine

If it's just a phone/tablet connection you require, then use this option as it should only take you a few minutes.
Note: The DVR may need to be on DHCP (Not a Static LAN address) for P2P to work, check the DVR "Network page".
Also this is assuming that the P2P server function from the manufacturer is up and operational.
 

Connect the DVR to a spare socket on your router, you could even use a mains plug network adapter if it's impractical to cable.

Iinstall the app on your phone, and setup a new connection from the apps device manager or account setup.

There's often a QR code  to copy on to the phone using its camera, or you can enter it's serial number manually.
Follow the app instructions with the user name and password and that's really all that is necessary to connect remotely.


Although this may be easy,  there will be issues if there is a Corporate/Company firewall in place. These will generally block peer to peer traffic!

LAN setup Requirements.

A spare LAN socket on your router, or mains plug network adaptor. (Also Wi Fi Dongles are sometimes supported)

A std RJ45 patch lead.
 

 
(The harder way using Port fowarding!)

1st The LAN Setup

LAN setup Requirements.
A spare LAN socket on your router,
A std RJ45 patch lead.
Access to the routers setup pages.

First connect your DVR to the router, and hopefully the socket lights will illuminate to show there’s a connection.

Now we normally assign a fixed IP to the DVR, or use it's domain name if picked up by the router and port forwarding is supported by MAC addresses. I will use fixed IP for this demo.
 

With the DVR plugged in and working on your network, use computer that's connected to the same network,

open a command prompt (Start, Run, cmd, enter). Now type “ipconfig” enter.

This example tells us that this particular computer on the LAN has an IP of 192.168.1.3

This IP has either been issued by your router or fixed by you!

The IP shown above will vary with each individual LAN setup and router.

What we’re interested in is the bottom two the Subnet mask and Default gateway!

Using this example, note down your own particular subnet and gateway. Note yours maybe slightly different!

Setup your DVR's network page with a new fixed in the same range but not the same as other devices on your LAN e.g. 192.168.1.83

 

So something similar to the above should be entered in the DVR’s Network setup page .

      Now restart the DVR and Router.

      If all is well the router will see that the DVR now has a fixed IP, and will reserve it always for that device!

      (Ideally we don't want the DVR to be issued different IP's whenever the router or DHCP table is reset.)

(If after having done the above if your router cannot see your DVR with it's fixed IP as a connected device,

you may have to revert to DHCP in the DVR's network setup, to allow the router to find the device's mac addrerss.

Then switch back to static. Some routers will allow service rules regardless, but its better if it does it as described.

Now go back to your (CMD prompt) and ping the DVR to see if it replies. (ping 192.168.1.83)
     

If all is well, there will be replies from the DVR as you can see above.


 It's now time to try and connect!

If your DVR has a web serve capability, you should be able to open your web browser and

type the DVR’s IP into the address line, (http://192.168.1.83) and be able to view or logon locally!

You may require a port number if your DVR isn’t using port 80 (See later info)

Example: (http://192.168.1.83:8080) where 8080 is the specified port number in DVR's Web

page  configuration..

Now obviously the above page will vary with different DVR’s, but you should get the idea!

Most DVR’s will also prompt you to install "plugin" components  in order to work correctly.

Other DVR’s may require you to load dedicated software to view!

 DVR’s that have a web server built in are quite common and are far better for easy

remote access, as there is no additional software required!

 

OK...The DVR is now working on the LAN, now we want to view remotely via  the internet!

Router setup:

All routers are different and I can’t be device specific here. But this is the general idea.

In order to be able to access the DVR remotely, you will need to setup a

“Service or port forwarding Rules” in the routers configuration.

This service/rule will forward internet requests to the DVR’s fixed local IP (or Device name if DHCP is used)

The Service/Rule may be called different names by various manufactures:

Port forwarding.

Application sharing.

Firewall rules.

Games and virtual servers. To name but a few! Either one will be similar in function.

Here’s an old  BT home hub, showing some (Service’s / Rules) in operation.

Notice below, I have setup one of the service's to forward internet queries coming in on port 80 to my file server.

(Port 80 is the norm for Web traffic).  So hopefully you are getting the idea!

In the DVR’s network setup page you may also see something like

(PORT or NAT….This will be the route that the DVR will be sending

video or data streams to the internet. Typical ports are 80, 8080, 7000, 5000 etc.

(You need to be aware of the port or ports that are going to be used so see your DVR manual).

Below is a typical page where you can set a new service or rule for the DVR.

Enter a start and end port, or same if only one port is needed.

Select any/both protocol if router permits, but if asked specifically for FTP or UDP then select the appropriate as required (See DVR Manual).

Your router may ask what device IP to apply this rule, if so enter the DVR's IP
Now save/apply  the service/rule. In some  cases you apply the rule to the device separately, each router is different.

(Depending on the router, You may have to setup more than one rule for each port required)

(Some routers you can enter all the different ports required within one rule which is far easier)

The example service- rule we created above was called “cctv” or whatever you wan to call it,
 and you are assigning it to the DVR.

(You may need more than one port in the service rule to do telemetry or voice!)

Either way apply each of the required service’s to the DVR.

Every router is slightly different, and this is where some people give up.
But the principal is the same it’s just the terminology that differs.

You should now be able to access your DVR remotely.

You type in your public ip address into your browser (and the port number If you had to setup one).

(Note if port 80 is used in the service/rule, you need not enter the port

in the browser address bar. This port is always the default for web pages!)

Notice the port “8080” was used above, this is usually because you may have more than one DVR or some other device/ web server

using port 80 on your network. Simply use a colon followed by the port number for the device you want to connect to!

It may be that the DVR specifies a particular port number for it's web page.

If you are on a static public IP then good, simply type in your public IP address of your remote site followed by the port number if any, as mentioned above.

If you're not on a static public IP address which often is the case with home broadband, then the next bit is for you!

Dynamic IP and DDNS providers / update settings.
 

If you know nothing about DDNS then don’t worry because it’s easier to set-up than you may think!
Below is a detailed explanation so that you may understand. Once you grasp the concept, it’s not difficult to do!

Most domestic homes and small business are likely to have a dynamic internet IP which although cheaper than static, they may change by hour day week, and also if you loose power or reset your router. So if you want to remotely connect to your site you will need to know what public IP your site's currently on!

This is where a DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) service comes in.

(No-ip or Dyn-DNS etc amongst others) are typical providers. The cost is +/- £12 a year which is cheap for an enhanced service and it take's only 1/2 an hour to set up! (Check if your ISP offers this service it maybe cheaper still!)

There are some free ones' offered by some DVR manufacturers and you may be lucky.

With other free services, you may also find you need to re-register monthly to keep them live .Some even redirect via advertising

before getting to your site! So it maybe better pay the small fee for an enhanced service. Either way check before buying!

I use "No-IP" enhanced!

If you own your own domain name/s you would be best to enquire if they offer a DDNS service on it!

How “Dynamic DNS” works:

When your dynamic public IP changes, the DDNS provider will be able to redirect web queries to your site's new IP because it’s been informed of your new IP by the (Router or an updater program)!

What's an updater? (A script or program that will inform your DDNS provider what your current public IP address is!)
This can be found in either your Router or DVR’s configuration. It can also be a small program free from your DDNS provider running on a computer that is connected to the internet and is left switched on (A home server maybe?)

Note: A lot of routers and DVR’s these days have a built in DDNS updater service.

(See picture below). Make the router your first choice of updating, because it’s always switched on! Also the router will be first to know if you’re IP has changed, so it will update quicker!

If not then use the DVR as your next choice, because again; it's always switched on!
Failing that, you’ll need to use the updater program that is free from your DDNS provider.
Install it on a computer or server that’s left switched on. This will monitor and up-date your provider should your IP change.
 

By the Router method:

1: Your logon name with your

DDNS Provider!

Usually it's your email.

2: Service Provider: Select

from the pull down menu.

3: The free domain name

that you got when you registered

with your DDNS service

 

IP Mailer programs:

PROS:

It costs little or nothing to Setup and does not involve anyone else.

For added security, only you will know what your IP is today!.

CONS:

You won’t be able to serve a public web page from this setup.

(Because it’s not informing the internet of your IP changes! )

You may have to wait for an email before you can logon to your PC or CCTV.

As such, other people you want to have access may not be able to because they don’t share your email).

(You could consider setting up a free yahoo or hotmail account, so everyone involved will be able to share and log on retrieve post regarding  your IP status!)

On the whole, not as reliable. (But worth a thought!) 

With this information you may feel confident enough to attempt it yourself. It’s up to you!

No part of the written information above

has been copied from any other source.

The author reserves all rights. © J milner.2011.