A:
If the VersaCam IC Series is to be used as a Web server, it cannot be assigned a private IP
address unless it will be viewed only from within the virtual private network, or pointed to as a
server by the network's router. Private addresses cannot be directly "seen" from the outside
world.
A virtual private network that presents a single static IP address is normally equipped with
such a router and is comprised of a local network with various private IP addresses. In this
case, all the devices connected on the local network are assigned private IP addresses by the
network administrator. However, all of the devices communicate with remote devices (those
outside the local virtual private network) using a single "real world" IP address. The router
converts the private IP addresses into the single real IP address, and allows local devices
access to devices outside the network. This function is called NAT (Network Address
Translation), and can be used to connect the VersaCam to a virtual network as a server for its
images.
When you configure a router, you can designate a local device as a local server among all the
connected devices. You have to supply the VersaCam's IP address to the router as a local
server address.
•
Q: When a network is made up of only private IP addresses, can a VersaCam be
connected to the network?
A:
The VersaCam can be connected to LAN having only private IP addresses as long as only
local users on that network expect to access the VersaCam.
•
Q: Can the VersaCam be installed on a network that employs a firewall?
A:
If there is a firewall on the network, Port 80 is normally open for ordinary data
communication. However, since the VersaCam transmits image data, the default Port 8080 is
used by VersaCam. It is normally necessary to open Port 8080 of the network for users outside
of the firewall who are expected to access the VersaCam.
However, typical firewall installations often open only Port 80 to enhance network security. In
this case, either the firewall must be reprogrammed to enable access to Port 8080, or remote
users must access the VersaCam with the "Server Push Viewer" that can be found in the
'Image Viewers' - 'Other' menu in the 'Default Viewer' list. Server Push Viewer enables the
VersaCam to communicate through Port 80. "Server Push" is, however, a slower means for
transmitting images, and will noticeably slow the reception of images for the user.
Another method that may be used to resolve this problem is to move the camera's
transmissions from Port 8080 to any port granted by the firewall. The VersaCam port usage
may be reconfigured using the setting at the 'User Custom Configuration' page in the
VersaCam's Admin page.
•
Q: How can a user view VersaCam IC Series images when using Netscape?
A:
If a user wants to see the real-time VersaCam images using the Netscape browser, it is first
necessary to install the VersaCam plug-in program. The procedure for the plug-in setup
follows:
VersaCam IC-360
User’s Guide
44
