On 2017-09-20 09:05, Robert P. J. Day wrote: > On Wed, 20 Sep 2017, Richard Guy Briggs wrote: > > > On 2017-09-20 07:17, Robert P. J. Day wrote: > > > On Wed, 20 Sep 2017, Robert P. J. Day wrote: > > > > On Wed, 20 Sep 2017, Richard Guy Briggs wrote: > > > > > On 2017-09-20 04:09, Robert P. J. Day wrote: > > > > > > in short, at least for this camera, i absolutely require an > > > > > > android or iphone with the d-link app for the initial > > > > > > configuration, which is kind of a pain, unless i have this > > > > > > completely wrong. > > > > > > > > > > This would surprise me and I'd take it back if that were the case, > > > > > but it is possible that there is no other way to configure it. > > > > > > > > given that you mentioned the lumenera cameras, how would those be > > > > any different? i looked at one here: > > > > > > > > http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Lumenera-Le165CP-1-4-MP-Progressive-Scan-HAD-CCD-Network-Surveillance-Camera-/201696592058?hash=item2ef60dc0ba:g:tc8AAOSw8w1X4bCe > > > > > > > > and noticed right away the photo of the back, which shows an > > > > ethernet port, so i'm assuming that would allow me to > > > > (temporarily) connect to my in-house router and configure the > > > > camera, at which point i would want to move it elsewhere and > > > > access it via wi-fi -- is that how a camera like that would > > > > work? > > > > These wired network cameras default to DHCP and failing that fall > > back to either 192.168.122.1 (or something like that IIRC...) or use > > an IPv4 link local address (169.<mumble>?) which pretends to be > > random with OUI or something like that to bootstrap. It is harder > > to expose a new device to a trusted open wifi network than to a > > trusted wired network for initial bootstrapping. > > not being an expert on security cameras, i am now simply assuming > the really inexpensive, small form factor units simply don't have the > real estate to support an ethernet port, so have to resort to > something else, as we are now discovering. Well, it is a vector for moisture too, so wireless is attractive that way too... Consumer demand has been going more and more wireless anyways. > > So, there's a bit of a chicken and egg problem here. Most wifi networks > > require authentication now (or should!). If your camera doesn't have a wired > > ethernet port that you can connect to a trusted network to do the initial > > configuration, how do you do that bootstrapping? It looks like they've turned > > it around so that you authenticate to it first so it is acting as a server for > > you to connect to it, then configure it to switch from AP mode to managed mode > > whereupon it can now connect to your secured wifi network with credentials you > > provide. > > that's the only scenario that makes sense at this point. upon > further examination, i did notice a tiny "WPS" button on the back of > the camera, which supports something called "zero configuration", > which involves: Yes, I've heard of WPS which I understand is full of security holes. Bluetooth has similar issues. Convenience trumps security... > Step 1: Attach the power supply to the power input on the DCS-936L and > connect it to a wall outlet or power strip. Power is confirmed when > the Status LED is lit. > > Step 2: Press and hold the WPS button on the camera for five seconds. > The Status LED will start to blink green. Then, press the WPS button > on your router within two minutes. Your router will automatically > assign your network settings to your camera. > > Step 3: From any computer, open a web browser, go to > http://www.mydlink.com and log into your account. Once mydlink detects > your camera, a New Device Found! notice will appear in the bottom > right corner. Click on the camera from the New Devices list and then > click Yes to add your camera. Your setup is complete. > > however, the user manual is adamant that this only works with a > registered d-link cloud router and an active "mydlink" account, so it > doesn't really solve the problem. Ugh. :-P > one suspects i should restrict my search to cameras that have an > ethernet port for initial configuration. The days of the Lumenera ethernet cameras are gone. It is now commodity hardware. > rday > > -- > > ======================================================================== > Robert P. J. Day Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA > http://crashcourse.ca > > Twitter: http://twitter.com/rpjday > LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/rpjday > ======================================================================== slainte mhath, RGB -- Richard Guy Briggs -- ~\ -- ~\ <hpv.tricolour.ca> <www.TriColour.ca> -- \___ o \@ @ Ride yer bike! Ottawa, ON, CANADA -- Lo_>__M__\\/\%__\\/\% Vote! -- <greenparty.ca>_____GTVS6#790__(*)__(*)________(*)(*)_________________