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Setting Up a DW Blackjack Server

Updated

General Guide – Setting Up a DW Blackjack® Server

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Affected Roles:  Owner, Administrator

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps:  DW Spectrum® IPVMS

Complexity:  Medium

Last Edit:  July 28, 2022

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Using this Guide

DW Blackjack Servers are designed to be deployed as hosting servers for a DW Spectrum System or as DW Spectrum Client workstations. After the initial setting up process of the DW Blackjack, getting started with creating a DW Spectrum System requires several steps. To help guide you through the initial setup, this article is organized as so:

  • Part 1:  Setting Up the Time & Date
  • Part 2:  Setting Up the DW Blackjack Network Adapters
  • Part 3:  Using DW IP Finder to Assign IP Addresses and Passwords to IP Cameras
  • Part 4:  Setting Up DW Spectrum IPVMS
  • Part 5:  Connecting DW Cloud

 

The following information will outline the necessary steps to successfully deploy a DW Blackjack Server and to create a new DW Spectrum System.

 

Supported Devices:

  • DW Blackjack Cube
  • DW Blackjack Bolt
  • DW Blackjack P-RACK
  • DW Blackjack E-RACK
  • DW Blackjack Tower
  • DW-Blackjack RACK

 

Part 1:  Setting Up the Time & Date

DW Blackjack Servers include either a Windows or Linux Ubuntu operating system. These units are desktop computers in themselves and when hosting as a DW Spectrum Server, the current time and date settings of the computer will be used in the DW Spectrum System to timestamp video footage by default. This can be changed in the Time Synchronization settings of the DW Spectrum IPVMS Client software, but it is important to ensure that the time settings are accurate in case any legal needs arise regarding the surveillance footage.

To begin:

  1. Connect a display monitor, a USB mouse, and a USB keyboard, to the DW Blackjack unit.
  2. Connect the DW Blackjack unit to a power source and power ON the DW Blackjack unit.
  3. Allow the computer to boot to the desktop and configure the Date and Time settings:
  • Windows 10
      1. Open the Date & Time Settings of the computer. Navigate to this menu through Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time

 

      1. You can choose to allow the time zone to be set automatically (Internet required) by the computer or set the time zone manually.

 

  • Ubuntu Linux
    1. Click the dropdown in the corner of the desktop and open the Settings menu.

 

    1. In the Settings menu, select “Details”.

 

    1. Select the “Date & Time” tab, then toggle OFF the “Automatic Date & Time” and “Automatic Time Zone” settings.

 

    1. From the Date & Time menu, click on “Date & Time” and set the correct date and time for your location.

 

    1. From the Date & Time menu, click on “Time Zone” and select the correct time zone for your location.

 

Part 2:  Setting Up the Blackjack Network Adapters

Section 2.1 – Camera Network Adapter Setup

After completing the initial installation of the DW Blackjack unit, complete the setup of the IP camera network by configuring the network interface card (NIC) of the computer and assigning IP addresses to cameras.

To begin:

  1. DW Blackjack servers use a dual network interface card (NIC) configuration. Connect the PoE switch for the cameras to one of NICs with ethernet cable.

 

**NOTE:  It is recommended that the camera network (PoE switch) and local network (Internet router) NOT be on the same network to prevent a network bottleneck. The use of the dual NIC configuration is used for this very purpose.

**NOTE:  It is recommended to use a gigabit PoE switch for the IP cameras as a 10/100 switch may not offer enough network throughput to efficiently support all camera connections.

 

  1. If the PoE switch is powered ON and has been connected to one of the NICs of the DW Blackjack Server, the computer will detect the presence that is occurring within its network adapter.

Change the settings and rename the network connection that is being used for the camera network and assign a static IP address to the adapter. This will help to keep the local network and camera network separate and IP addresses organized.

  • Windows
    1. Open the Network & Internet menu settings of the computer. Right-click on the network icon that will appear in the service tray (bottom-right of the taskbar) and select “Open Network & Internet Settings”.

Alternatively, navigate to this menu through Start > Settings > Network & Internet.

 

    1. In the Network & Internet menu, select “Change adapter options”.

 

    1. In the resulting Network Connections window, the active ethernet adapter will show that it is in use.

Right-click on the camera network’s adapter and select “Rename”. Change the adapter’s name to “Cameras” to make identification easier.

 

    1. Next, to assign the “Cameras” NIC an IP address, right-click on the adapter and select “Properties”.

In the resulting Ethernet Properties window, select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” then click the “Properties"

 

    1. Select “Use the following IP address” and assign an IP address to the network adapter for the camera network.

Be sure to use assign an IP address with a different subnet ID from what the local network (Internet router network) is using. For example, if the Internet router is assigning IP addresses like 192.168.1.x, the Cameras network should use a different subnet ID like 192.168.2.x, 192.168.10.x, etc.

 

**NOTE:  All IP addresses for the cameras should use the same subnet ID as the Cameras network adapter.

 

    1. The Subnet Mask should be set to “255.255.255.0”.

Click the “OK” button to save the settings and close the properties window.

 

**NOTE:  Do NOT enter anything for the “Default Gateway”, “Preferred DNS server”, or “Alternate DNS server” settings.

 

 

  • Ubuntu/Linux
    1. Click the dropdown in the corner of the desktop and open the Settings menu.

 

    1. In the Settings menu, select “Network”.

 

    1. In the resulting Network window, the active ethernet adapter will show that it is “Connected”.

Click the Settings button (gear icon).

 

    1. Change the IPv4 Method to “Manual” and assign an Address (IP address) to the network adapter for the camera network.

Be sure to use assign an IP address with a different subnet ID from what the local network (Internet router network) is using. For example, if the Internet router is assigning IP addresses like 192.168.1.x, the Cameras network should use a different subnet ID like 192.168.2.x, 192.168.10.x, etc. to avoid confusion.

 

**NOTE:  All IP addresses for the cameras should use the same subnet ID as the Cameras network adapter. Do not set the IP address of the NIC to end in ‘.1’ as routers or smart PoE switches will often occupy such values.

 

    1. The Netmask should be set to “255.255.255.0”.

 

**NOTE:  Do NOT enter anything for the “Gateway” setting if there is no gateway device – assuming that this adapter is only connected to a PoE switch for the camera network (recommended).

 

 

    1. Click the “Apply” button to save the settings and close the properties window.

 

    1. Refresh the network connection for the camera network by toggling the connection OFF, then back ON.

 

**NOTE:  You may choose to rename the network adapter that is connected to the camera network (PoE switch). It is recommended to use an SSID name of “Cameras” for simplicity.

 

Section 2.2 – Local Network Adapter (Internet)

If the DW Spectrum Server will be connected to the DW Cloud service or if the DW Blackjack unit should otherwise have Internet access, the computer’s 2nd NIC must be connected to an Internet router with WAN access.

  1. Connect Internet router with Ethernet cable to the 2nd NIC of the DW Blackjack unit.

 

**NOTE:  It is recommended that the camera network (PoE switch) and local network (Internet router) NOT be on the same network to prevent a network bottleneck. The use of the dual NIC configuration is used for this very purpose.

 

  1. If the Internet router is powered ON and has been connected to one of the NICs of the DW Blackjack Server, the computer will detect the presence that is occurring within its network adapter.

Change the settings and rename the adapter that is connected to the Internet router. By default, the DW Blackjack NIC is set to use a DHCP setting and will automatically be assigned an IP address by the Internet router upon connection. It is recommended to leave the NIC connected to the Internet router on the DHCP setting unless a local static IP address must be manually assigned to the DW Blackjack unit for some reason.

 

Part 3:  Using DW IP Finder to Assign IP Addresses and Passwords to IP Cameras

The IP address that is assigned to the “Cameras” network adapter (NIC) on the DW Blackjack unit and the individual IP addresses of the IP cameras must use the same subnet ID so that the cameras can correctly identify and communicate with the server. Knowing this, the DW IP Finder software can be used to easily locate and manage IP addresses and passwords of DW MEGApix IP cameras.

 

Section 3.1 – Bulk IP Address Assignment

To configure camera IP addressing using IP Finder:

  1. Make sure that the IP cameras have been connected to the PoE switch and are powered ON. Launch the DW IP Finder software on the DW Blackjack unit.

 

  1. In DW IP Finder, select the Cameras NIC of the DW Blackjack unit for the “Network” setting.

 

Enter the Username and Password of the new DW MEGApix IP cameras.

 

Click the “Scan Devices” button. DW IP Finder will then scan the network for the cameras.

 

  1. After the cameras have been detected, select the cameras by checking the checkbox beside each camera, then click the “Bulk IP Assignment” button.

A window will open where the following can be configured:

    • IP Assignment – select “IP Assignment” to change the selected cameras’ IP addresses
    • IP Address Range – enter the IP address range that will be used for the camera network. For example, if the Cameras NIC is set to use an IP address of “192.168.100.2”, then the cameras will need to be set to use a range between “192.168.100.3 ~ 192.168.100.255”.
      • Arp Table – you can click this button to see all occupied IP addresses for the entered IP Address Range.

**NOTE:  It is important that the IP address that is used by the Cameras NIC is not included in the IP Address Range. You do not want the DW Blackjack unit to use the same exact IP address number as a camera.

    • Netmask – use “255.255.255.0” unless otherwise needed
    • Gateway – the Gateway and IP Address Range subnet ID must match
    • Username – enter the Username that is used to log in to the camera
    • Password – enter the Password that is used to log in to the camera

 

  1. Click the “Assign” button to apply the changes.

 

Section 3.2 – Bulk Password Assignment

To configure passwords for multiple cameras in bulk:

  1. After having scanned for and detected the DW MEGApix IP cameras using the DW IP Finder software, select the cameras by checking the checkbox beside each camera, then click the “Bulk Password Assignment” button.

A window will open where the following can be configured:

  • Current Account – enter the current Username (admin) and Password that is used for logging in to the camera(s)
  • New Password – create a new administrator password for the camera(s).  Passwords must have a minimum of 8-characters with at least 4 combinations of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Passwords cannot contain the user ID. Including a Hint is optional.

 

  1. Click the “Change” button to apply the new password to the selected cameras.

 

**NOTE:  It is recommended to check that the cameras are using up-to-date versions of their firmware. You can use the FW Upgrade button in DW IP Finder to update multiple cameras simultaneously. Make sure that the correct firmware version is used for the cameras.

 

Part 4:  Setting Up DW Spectrum IPVMS

The DW Spectrum IPVMS software comes installed with the DW Blackjack unit. This includes both the Server program and the desktop Client program. Once the Cameras network has been set up and connected with the DW Blackjack unit, create a new DW Spectrum IPVMS System for monitoring and recording your security cameras.

 

**NOTE:  DW Spectrum IPVMS is installed as a bundled program on DW Blackjack units. When manually updating the software, be sure to continue to use the bundled version instead of using the separated Client and Server programs. Otherwise, the reinstallation of DW Spectrum may become necessary to resolve issues.

 

Section 4.1 – Logging in to a New DW Spectrum System

To set up DW Spectrum on a new DW Blackjack unit:

  1. Launch the DW Spectrum IPVMS desktop client. The DW Blackjack unit will come with the bundled Server/Client software already installed.

 

  1. Click on the preconfigured Server tile and enter the default login for the System.
    1. User – admin
    2. Password – admin12345 (case sensitive)

 

**NOTE:  If DW Spectrum must be installed to the DW Blackjack unit for some reason, you may use Installing DW Spectrum (Windows) or Installing DW Spectrum (Ubuntu) for instructions on fresh installation, depending on your OS.

 

  1. After logging in to the preconfigured DW Spectrum Server, you can rename the Server from the default name. To do so, right-click on the server’s name in the Resource Tree and select “Server Settings”.

 

  1. In the General tab, enter the new server name in the “Name” field, then click the OK button to apply the new name.

 

Section 4.2 – Adding Cameras to the Server

DW Spectrum IPVMS is set to auto-detect ONVIF Profile-S compliant IP cameras and devices on the network. If the DW Blackjack NIC has been properly configured for the Cameras network and the connected PoE switch is powering and transmitting data DW Spectrum will automatically add the cameras to the Server. Otherwise, cameras can be added manually if it is needed. Added cameras will display in the Resource Tree in the DW Spectrum Client.

Once cameras have been added to the Server, double-click or click-and-drag cameras from the Resource Tree to view camera video streams. A Recording License must be applied to cameras to allow video recording that can be replayed later.

 

Section 4.3 – Activating Recording Licenses

For devices to record to the DW Spectrum Server, valid recording licenses must be activated on the Server. Multiple licenses come with each license key, depending on the variety that has been purchased. For each camera or device that will record to the Server, one valid recording license must be added.

  1. To activate a Recording License key, open the System Administrator menu and select the “Licenses” tab.

  1. In the Licenses menu, enter the license key and click the “Activate License” button.

An Internet connection is required to activate the key through the DW Spectrum Client. Otherwise, the key will need to be manually activated by a DW Sales Agent who will send you an activation file that can be uploaded to an offline server.

 

**NOTE:  It is recommended to keep a separate record of the recording licenses that have been activated and to which Server they have been applied, especially if a multi-server environment is in use.

 

Section 4.4 – Camera Recording Setup

To get the cameras to record video to the DW Spectrum Server, a recording License and Recording Schedule must be applied to each camera.

To set up an added camera:

  1. Right-click on a camera and select “Camera Settings”. In the General tab, change the name of the camera as needed.

 

  1. To enable the camera for recording, select the “Recording” tab.

Enable the “Recording” toggle to the ON position. Select the Recording Type (record always, motion only, etc.) then click-and-drag in the grid to configure the camera’s Recording Schedule as needed.

 

  1. If you are using a motion-based Recording Schedule (motion only, motion + Lo-Res, etc.), select the “Motion” tab and enable the “Motion Detection” tab

Select the “Sensitivity” (0 = low, 9 = high) that is preferred for each region of the camera’s viewing area and drag-and-drop within the grid to map the motion detection area for the camera.

 

  1. A red dot will display beside the camera in the Resource Tree once it has begun to record.

 

 

Part 5:  Connecting DW Cloud (Internet required)

DW Spectrum Servers can be connected to DW Cloud to allow easier remote access across the DW Spectrum System.

To link a Server to DW Cloud:

  1. At the server, launch the DW Spectrum® Client and log in as the Local System Owner (Default: admin/admin12345)

 

  1. Open the Main Menu and open the System Administration menu (shortcut:  Ctrl+Alt+A) and go to the DW Cloud tab.

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  1. If you already have DW Cloud account, you may skip to the next step.

​​​If you do not have a DW Cloud account, use the Create DW Cloud Account button.  Your computer’s default browser will open and you will be directed to the DW Cloud Web Portal.

Complete the registration form, then click Create Account.  An email will be sent to the email address that was entered into the form.

Please check your email account and complete the confirmation.

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  1. In the DW Spectrum® Client, click Connect System to DW Cloud and input your DW Cloud username and password.  Once connected, the system will display the account email as the Owner.

 

**NOTE: The first DW Cloud account of a System will be recognized as the System Owner.

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  1. After connecting the system to your DW Cloud account, subsequent users of the Server can also have their DW Cloud accounts added to the System.

 

  1.  Your Server can now be accessed from your DW Spectrum® Client, DW Spectrum® Mobile application, and the DW Cloud Web Portal if logged in with a registered DW Cloud account.

To connect through the DW Spectrum® Client on a different computer, click the DW Cloud icon in the top, right-hand corner of the DW Spectrum® Client and enter your DW Cloud login information. Systems that are connected to your DW Cloud account

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