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DW Blackjack - Camera Network Setup (Ubuntu/Linux)

Updated

DW Blackjack Camera Network Setup (Ubuntu/Linux)

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Affected Roles: Administrator, Power Users

Last Edit: June 4, 2026

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Camera Subnet

When setting up the DW Spectrum Server, the host computer relies on its networking setup to communicate with connected cameras through the local area network (LAN).

To accommodate this, Digital Watchdog designs its DW Blackjack Servers to have two network interface cards (NIC) – one NIC is configured to identify the server within the camera subnetwork, while a second NIC identifies the with the router network. This helps the server to separate complicated networks between security cameras and the main network.

This article will outline a basic network setup for DW Blackjack Servers using the Ubuntu/Linux OS.

 

Supported/Affected Devices

  • DW Blackjack Server Series (Ubuntu Linux OS)

 

Setup Process

  1. For camera networks that are powered and routed using a PoE Switch, connect the PoE switch’s LAN port directly to the Server with Ethernet cable, to minimize the bitrate ‘bottleneck’ between the cameras and the Server.

If the DW Blackjack Server will be connected to the Internet or to other parts of the LAN, attach the second NIC to the router with an Ethernet cable.

  1. Open the Network tool, located on the Desktop of the Blackjack unit.

Locate and select the “Wired” option (NIC) that is connected to the camera network (PoE Switch), then select “Options”.

Alternatively, you can open the Network tool by clicking on the connection icon, then select “Edit Connections”.

Select the Wired connection option that represents the camera network (PoE Switch) connection, then click Edit.

  1. Click on the IPv4 Settings tab.

Change the Method (connection type) to Manual, then click the Add button.

 

  1. Assign an IP address to the camera network NIC card. This address will be used to identify the computer within the camera network.

NOTE: It is important that the Server is not assigned to an IP address that is also being used by any other devices within the network.

Additionally, the camera NIC’s IP address scheme must match the camera network’s sub-network IP address scheme.

  1. Keep the Netmask as 255.255.255.0.

  1. Leave the Gateway field blank. Gateway information is not necessary for communicating with the camera network only.

NOTE: If the NIC is communicating through the router, use the Gateway address to the router.

  1. Click Save to apply the settings.

Cameras assigned to IP addresses that also identify with the camera subnetwork, and that are connecting through the camera network NIC, should now be able to communicate and be added to DW Spectrum.

 

 

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For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

DW Sales: sales@digital-watchdog.com| www.digital-watchdog.com

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