DW Blackjack Camera Network Setup (Ubuntu/Linux)

DW Blackjack® Camera Network Setup (Ubuntu/Linux)

-----------------------------------

Affected Roles:  Owner, Administrators

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps:  DW Spectrum® IPVMS

Complexity:  Medium

Last Edit:  March 4, 2022

-----------------------------------

Camera Subnet

When setting up the DW Spectrum® Server, the host computer relies on its networking setup to communicate with the connected security devices over the local network. 

For this to work, the DW Blackjack unit’s network settings will need to be configured to identify with the camera network, as well as with the router and other local devices.

This article will outline a basic network setup for DW Blackjack Servers using the Ubuntu/Linux OS 18.04

Supported/Affected Devices

• DW Blackjack® Bolt (Ubuntu/Linux 18.04)
• DW Blackjack® Cube (Ubuntu/Linux 18.04)
• DW Blackjack® P-Rack (Ubuntu/Linux 18.04)
• DW Blackjack® E-Rack (Ubuntu/Linux 18.04)
• DW Blackjack® Mid-tower (Ubuntu/Linux 18.04)
• DW Blackjack® Tower (Ubuntu/Linux 18.04)
• DW Blackjack® RACK (Ubuntu/Linux 18.04)

Setup Process

1. Connect network cables to the Server’s Network Interface Controller (NIC).  It is recommended to connect the PoE switch directly to the Server to reduce the potential for bitrate ‘bottlenecks’ that may occur as data routes between the cameras and the Server.

If you are using a DW Blackjack Series unit as the Server, there may be two NIC cards (see sample image).

**NOTE:  If you are using a Custom Built Server (not manufactured by Digital Watchdog), and have not yet added DW Spectrum, please read Installing DW Spectrum (Ubuntu).

2. Open the Network settings for the Ubuntu/Linux system.

• Option 1 – click on the Network icon that appears in the taskbar, at the top of the desktop. Select the Ethernet adapter (NIC) that is connected to the camera network switch and select “Wired settings”.

• Option 2 – click on the “Show applications” tile that appears at the bottom left of the desktop and select “Settings”. Click on the “Network” tab in the Settings menu.

3. The Network settings menu will display.

Click on the Wired settings icon

4. The Wired settings menu will display.

Click on the “IPv4” tab and configure the following:

• IPv4 Method – select “Manual” to set a static IP address
• Address – assign an IP address to the camera network NIC card.  This address will be used to identify the computer within the camera network
• Netmask – 255.255.255.0
• Gateway – you can leave the Gateway field blank for the NIC connected to the cameras’ PoE switch.  The Gateway information is not necessary when the Network NIC and Cameras’ NIC are being used separately.

Click on the “Apply” button to save the setting changes.

**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.

5. For the changes to take effect, restart the network. To do so, turn the NIC OFF and then back ON.

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 with the server and can be added to DW Spectrum.

To view current settings of the network, you can click on the “Details” tab of the Wired menu.

**NOTE:  If you still need to assign an IP address to a camera, please read Assigning A Static Address To New Or Defaulted Cameras.