Security Cameras General Discussion

[mcsincnj]

I just conneced a Win7 Enterprise system to my network and the Commader cannot find the cameras. My XP machine finds them fine,

Can someone advise me of what the problem could be?

It doesn't make sense.  I can see the cameras on my network and can use the alert web site but locally, they are not visable.

Thanks in advance,

[UselessS]

Are you trying to run Alert Commander on the server or are you saying the server on the network is disrupting the PC from seeing the cameras ?  Server OSs don't have all the things needed...so if you installed on the server, you may need to search the Alert forum for those that have tried that...as I don't believe Logitech officially supports server OSs for Alert Commander.

[mcsincnj]

I used Enterprise b/c I needed a way to remote from work. Windows 7 Home Premium doesn't support remote connections.

So it is just a workstation. 

I used the typical install when it asked -

I don't have it set up as a server as far as I know.

Commander loads, but when I attempt to set up the account, it doesn't find any cameras

[UselessS]

Yeah, I know it is not really a server...but I don't know if Enterprise version may have some of the same caveats as the server OSs...just not familiar enough with Enterprise edition...something we don't even use at work.

So Alert Commander just can't find the cameras ( vs. a display issue ) ?  Did you by chance set a local network password in Alert Commander when on the XP machine ?

[mcsincnj]

Up until yesterday, the cameras were the only thing on the network -I was having signal strength issues, so I changed a couple to POE so those where I needed the home-link had full use of the system.

I used an XP laptop to manage the cameras, but I felt a need to add a workstation in case one of the cameras was stolen.

This added the ability to have local storage - While expermenting w/ a new box loaded with Win7 home, I found I could not use remote desktop to manage the box.

So, research says Win7 (oither than home) would provide remote access....

I have two versions of Win7 - home and enterprise. So I reformat/reinstall...

I can use the Web Commander on the machine, but locally and remotely, I cannot find the cameras. It is the "only" workstation on the netwrk.

I am not positive if web commander has all of the functionality of the local commander.

If it is 100% identical, I wouldn't have to worry about not having it run locally. I would just use the Web Commander.

I do know on the Web Commander, I cannot check bandwidth and strength, not that it is an issue 100% of the time, but when troubleshooting from a distance....

[UselessS · Accepted solution]

Web Commander with the premium subscription does allow several things, but as you say, not everything.  The fact that Web/Mobile has to go through several layers for that internet access, it is naturally a lot slower and subject to whatever the weak link of the chain is at the moment <g>  ...and of course, you'd still need a PC to store the clips outside of the camera.

Remote access from within you local network even has its caveats...can't see the live video via Remote Desktop or several other remote access apps...due to Alert Commander routing that video direct to video card instead of through windows.  Some remote access apps will show it, but not other things...I currently don't know of one yet that does it all.  Using something like VLC player to view the video via RTSP stream from another local PC is always an option as well.

You didn't mention if you had used a password running under XP machine.  You could try to paperclip reset one of those PoE cameras and see if the Win7 install could find it then.

[mcsincnj]

I am not worried about the remote viewing, as I have the Web Commander with the premium subscription. 

I ran detaled reports from what does load, and it check the firewall, connections via power-line, and checks most things and even shows them in the report.  It doesn't find the POE devices and report on them.

Under cameras, there are no entries also can't perform the individual bandwith and signal tests. I will reset all this afternoon when the weather breaks -

I do get a message that says I can't view live, but recorded videos should be ok, however, with no cameras showing up, they are not there for the viewing.

I do have one camera that will be changed over to POE that is located inside and will "paperclip" that before I start it.

I am not sure what you mean by password on the XP machine. On the OS itself or commander?  The OS has the normal login, the commander doesn't ask me for anything.

I have both commanders set up identically, however, on the workstation, I have storage set to G: and the laptop wants to store to C:.... My intent is not to use the laptop so as not to confuse the system

[UselessS]

In Alert Commander under Settings, Security and Web, Advanced there is an option to set a password for you cameras.  If you had done that on the XP machine, that would likely prevent the Win7 install from seeing the cameras ( unless you us the same password there ).  If you didn't set one, or don't remember, the paperclip reset of a PoE camera should make it show up...as that would erase the camera's memory of that password.  The HomePlug stuff may also have that password...so may be more complicated to clear there if a password is involved...but the PoE camera test should be an easy test.

The C vs G drive should not be an issue...this is only remembered by the Alert Commander app on the PC.  I have a NAS that I store my clips on...via a mapped drive on the PC running Alert Commander.

[mcsincnj]

Understood -

I do have the password set the same, as well as the email address and location name.

Getting ready to change one more to POE, where I can do a total reset

[mcsincnj]

The OS was not the problem -- 25%  operator error, 75% camera error ---

Once I removed the site and started from scratch by resetting each camera, I was able to find all the cameras.

A lot of work b/c 4 of the 5 cameras were not easily accessable (12' up)

Long story short, restarting was the way to go.

Thanks for the suggestions.