should i set up cameras with static or dhcp?

[Jared]

I installed a 40 camera system with no issues, blue iris works great and right now everything is on a separate network from the existing network in my company. Im getting ready to switch everything over to the main network and the IT company said he can make them dhcp if i want. I dont really see the need to do this but is it practical? Is it even ok to do this with blue iris? unless it would be static dhcp but whats the benefit? Just dont understand why he would ask that when the correct IP's are already plugged into each camera. These IT guys man, they just feel they need to control everything.

 

[dryfly]

What are the pros/cons of DHCP reservations vs. static IP on cameras (or other devices for that matter)

 

[spankdog]

I use DHCP reservations just because its easy for me. Guess the only downside is if the camera was to reboot and your DHCP server was down.

 

[Shockwave199]

I admit I don't know much about stuff but I always felt dahua cameras should come stock, DHCP. It sure would make it easier for people to get into the webservice without jumping through the hoops of ipconfig and all. They adopt your network range, you loook for them, boom- you can go in. I set my cameras to DHCP even though it isn't necessary because I'm putting them in a poe nvr. But it's convenient if I need to pop them on my network for whatever, if ever. It avoids the hassle of dealing with changing static IP'S.

 

[wayner]

What are the pros/cons of DHCP reservations vs. static IP on cameras (or other devices for that matter)

One advantage with DHCP reservations is that you should have less of an issue with IP address conflicts as the DHCP server should not assign the same IP to two different devices.

Another advantage to DHCP, although it doesn't really apply to cameras, is that you can do the DHCP reservations for everything on your LAN in one place. With Static IP you may have to use the UI of the device so that you have to go do that room. Take something like an Xbox device - you would have to go to the room with the device and set the static IP using the Xbox's UI. But with DHCP you just do it in your router's web UI and reboot the device - and it is the same process regardless of the type of device - you don't have to look for the setting deep in the menu structure of a poorly designed UI. But with cameras you can generally set the static IP from the camera's web UI.

 

[LeeH]

One advantage with DHCP reservations is that you should have less of an issue with IP address conflicts as the DHCP server should not assign the same IP to two different devices.

.

But who would assign static addresses inside the DHCP range..

 

[Frank Ecker]

In my opinion... Managing IP addresses is easier in a central place (ie the router control panel using combination of DHCP and static assignments if desired) rather than having to set each camera separately and ensure they are all unique. Using names rather than IP addresses can be easier as well.

 

[wayner]

How do you set names? Using a hosts file?

 

[bp2008]

I have all my cameras set up with static IP addresses rather than DHCP with static reservations. I figure this allows everything to work even if my router (DHCP server) is down. It has bitten me in the butt once or twice though when I plug in an old camera that I've accidentally reused the IP address of.

 

[bp2008]

In my opinion... Managing IP addresses is easier in a central place (ie the router control panel using combination of DHCP and static assignments if desired) rather than having to set each camera separately and ensure they are all unique. Using names rather than IP addresses can be easier as well.

Certainly easier.

I often wish I could assign names rather than ip addresses for my cameras, but my router's DNS server does not expose this functionality and I'd have to figure out how to create DNS entries with a shell script...

 

[bp2008]

I also have a bad habit of using Tomato firmware which is really bad at transferring settings -- including DHCP reservations -- when you replace the router for any reason. Can't load a configuration backup that was saved by a different router.

 

[DavidDavid]

The first thing I do, a few seconds after I purchase a new network device, is add it to my master excel file of static ip addresses. I've got them blocked out in increments for certain devices (IP cameras are 50-69, desktops/laptops 20-29, phones and tablets 30-39, ect and DCHP pool is 100-254 so nothing gets conflicted when trying to add a new device) Then as soon as I get it I change the IP address at the device to match what I already mentally assigned to it in my master list. Now I know exactly what every device address is just by referencing my list. Makes things easy for me.

I used to use my router for reservations, but I ran into issues once with the router getting confused and switching the names I gave the device with the IP address. And I also realized if I ever switch routers I'll have to set it all up again. For me it's just easier to set it at the device.