How to Assign Passwords to DW MEGApix Cameras

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Affected Roles:  Owner, Administrator

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps:  DW IP Finder™, DW Spectrum® IPVMS

Software Version:  DW IP Finder™ v4.4.16 or higher

Last Edit:  December 22, 2022

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Password Requirement

As of August 13, 2019, in compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Digital Watchdog now requires the assignment of a custom password to new DW MEGApix IP cameras. 

Upon initially accessing a MEGApix camera for the first time, the administrator will request that a password be created for the camera. The camera password can be set using either the MEGApix camera’s web interface or by using the DW IP Finder application.

This article will outline how to use the MEGApix camera’s web interface to set an administrator password for the first time, as well as how to use the DW IP Finder application to change the passwords of multiple MEGApix cameras simultaneously (bulk password).

 

**NOTE:  The camera login credentials and the user’s DW Spectrum IPVMS login are two separate instances. What is used to log in to a DW Spectrum System is a different set of credentials entirely.

 

Related Articles

• Configuring Device Authentication in DW Spectrum IPVMS
• Digital Watchdog National Defense Authorization Act Compliance Statement.

 

Supported/Affected Devices:

• MEGApix® IP Camera Series

 

Before Beginning

After initially connecting a MEGApix IP camera to the local network, the camera will use a DHCP protocol and can be assigned an IP address by DHCP devices (router, smart switch, etc.) to match the connected subnet. However, in the case that a DHCP network device is not present or if the camera must otherwise have an IP address assigned manually, you can use the DW IP Finder desktop application.

For more information, check out the article Using DW IP Finder for Bulk IP Assignment to DW MEGApix IP Cameras.

 

Downloading DW IP Finder

DW IP Finder features a Bulk Password Assignment feature that allows users to assign an administrator password to multiple MEGApix cameras simultaneously.

Pre-built DW Blackjack Servers will ship with DW IP Finder already installed. However, if you need to install or update DW IP Finder (v4.4.16 or higher), you may acquire the latest version from the DW IP Finder product page.

 

Bulk Password Assignment with DW IP Finder

When setting up new cameras, it is at the installer’s discretion to either apply a different password to each camera individually or to use the same login credentials for all cameras. However, it may be best to have all cameras use the same login credentials for the purposes of easy camera management and use of the DW Spectrum IPVMS management software.

To apply a bulk password assignment for multiple MEGApix IP cameras using DW IP Finder:

1. Launch the DW IP Finder application on your computer.

The computer must be connected to the same local network as the cameras for the software to detect MEGApix cameras.

 

2. In DW IP Finder, click in the Network dropdown and select the network card that is connected to the MEGApix cameras.

Click the Scan Devices button to detect connected MEGApix IP cameras.

 

**NOTE:  By deselecting the Thumbnail checkbox in DW IP Finder before scanning, wait time will be reduced.  The wait time between network scans vary depending on the number of devices connected to the network.

 

 

3. After detecting the cameras, use the checkboxes to select the cameras that you will be assigning a new password to.

If multiple cameras are selected at the same time, they will all be assigned the same login credentials. You can check the All box to select all the detected cameras.

 

4. When ready, click the Bulk Password Assignment button.

 

5. The Bulk Password Assignment window will display.

Under Current Account, enter the current Username and Password of the camera(s).

• • Default MEGApix Username:  admin
  • Default MEGApix Password:  admin

Under New Password, enter the new Administrator password for the camera(s) in the “New” field and reenter the new password in the “Confirm” field.  It is optional to include a password reminder in the Hint field.

 

**NOTE:  Passwords are required to use a minimum of eight (8) characters with at least four (4) combinations of uppercase letters (ABC), lowercase letters (abc), numbers (123), and special characters (!?$).

 

6. Click the Change button to apply the new login credentials to the camera(s).

 

Individual Camera Password Assignment with Web Interface

When initially accessing a MEGApix IP camera, you must set an administrator password for the camera.

Using a web browser, the administrator can adjust camera settings by connecting to a camera’s web interface.  After logging into the camera’s web interface for the first time, the camera will request the password change.

**NOTE:  Camera login credentials can only be adjusted one camera at a time when using a browser.

To change a camera’s password using the web interface:

1. Open a web browser and enter the camera’s IP address to connect with the camera. The URL model to connect with the camera is:

Example:

• • MEGApix Cam: 192.168.1.80
  • Port: 80
  • URL: http://192.168.1.80:80

 

2. After connecting with the camera with a web browser, enter the Username and Password of the camera.
   • Default MEGApix Username:  admin
   • Default MEGApix Password:  admin

 

3. If the MEGApix IP camera is still using the default login credentials, users will be prompted to set up a new password before the camera can be used.

Click the Change Password button if the camera is using the default login credentials.  If the login has already been customized, click the Setup button.

 

4. A Change admin’s password window will display. Enter the new password for the camera in the Password field and again in the Retype Password field.

It is optional to create a Password Hint for the camera password.

 

**NOTE:  Passwords are required to use a minimum of eight (8) characters with at least three (3) combinations of uppercase letters (ABC), lowercase letters (abc), numbers (123), and special characters (!?$).

 

 

5. Once satisfied with the new password, click the Change Password button to apply the changes.

 

Adjusting Camera Access in DW Spectrum IPVMS

If you are using DW Spectrum IPVMS to view and manage your security cameras, authentication for access to the camera must be configured for DW Spectrum after changing the login credentials of the MEGApix IP camera(s). 

To learn how to edit device authentication credentials using the DW Spectrum IPVMS Client, check out Configuring Device Authentication in DW Spectrum IPVMS.

 

This completes the setup process for assigning passwords to a DW MEGApix IP Camera.