CCTV with no wifi

[JLR]

Well, my Y.C. has decided to mess with its wifi network. I am not an IT guy. But, my CCTV cameras on the boat were connected to the Y.C wifi system with some port forwarding allowed on the Y.C's router so that I could monitor them over the internet. That ship may have sailed even though I am told the Y.C. only installed new antennas not a new router. I do not want to install new cameras. Short of an AIRCARD with a static IP address, what's the best way to get me back up and remotely viewing? I do get a cellular signal on the boat but know nothing about mobile hot spots. If I have to, I will buy a new Cradlepoint that has a SIM card but am not looking to make this a major project. As always, thanks for the help and hopefully Pascal will lead the way.

 

[Pascal]

Well i ve never messed with remote viewing as i ve never needed it.

Generally speaking i ve given up on using wifi, even with the professional grade wave booster as very places have reliable wifi service. Now that data plans have become unlimited or near unlimited again, its not just worth it.

18 months ago I installed a Craddleloint IBR 1150 modemon the lazzara 84 i run hooked up to a high end Netgear tri band router. Signal is excellent thru out the boat and the Craddlepoint is very reliable. It has two SIM slots, i use ATT here and BTC in the bahamas. I just disable one or the other as we cross back n worth.

Both are hooked up to a battery back up so they always stay up. If you want a good reliaboe connection to the boat, or while cruising this is the way to go. Over the years i had tried other modems and routers but nothing came close to that one.

I also have 4 Axis IP cameras hooked to a basic PC with a standard monitor at the helm in the skylounge. I know the axis software allows for remote monitorig but i havent tried it.

 

[MVCaprice]

You need to find a brand that has cloud monitoring. Those maintain a connection out so your don’t have to port forward. I have a foscam that does this. Another option is to use a PC system and team viewer which works the same way.

 

[JLR]

Thank you both. I was told, but do not understand, that a static IP is no longer needed because the Cradlepoint has DNS -- whatever that is. Also, for some odd reason, I do not mind the outlay for hardware costs but am not looking to pay $100 a month for the privilege of viewing my own boat remotely. I am not concerned about having internet underway or in remote locations, I guess. What would I need to buy for a Cradlepoint to make sure I could view it remotely? I was told years ago that mobile to mobile viewing is the issue. Does the SIM card have to be a dedicated Static IP? I wrestled with ATT for months to get a static IP on the air card I use on my Cradlepoint down south. It works great but again, about $100 per month for the aircard.

 

[Boatsb]

Maybe I misread it but if the marina wifi is available for you and there's a login and password why not go back to using it. If they changed out access points it's just a matter of re establishing a link.

 

[JLR]

To monitor my cameras remotely, as I understand it, the Y.C. needs to open ports on its server for me. At least, that is what I am told. I am hoping that their IT guy can reconfigure my Axis server to access open ports on their new system.

 

[Boatsb]

That's the route I'd take. If they can't then look towards more involved solutions. Adding an air card seems a bit excessive at this time.

 

[MVCaprice]

DNS just resolves a name to an ip address. Dynamic dns allows you to have a dynamically assigned with name resumption. You still need port forwarding and your router or client device would need to have dynamic dns support. The foscam and teamviewer apps work without any of the client side stuff because they in simple terms use tcp keep alive sessions.

 

[MVCaprice]

Maybe I misread it but if the marina wifi is available for you and there's a login and password why not go back to using it. If they changed out access points it's just a matter of re establishing a link.

Yep this is what I would recommend as well. I have a dual interface router for cell and WiFi which sort of makes the port forwarding solution a no go for me so I use application later alternatives. A good example of this type of solution is a nest thermostat. Attach to your local WiFi and your thermostat is available anywhere with the best app. You need that setup and then you don’t need to worry about NAT port forwarding etc.

 

[JLR]

Just so I understand, if the WAP/bridge or whatever receiver I have can connect to the Y.C's password protected general wifi system for all boats, then I should be able to monitor those cameras from my IPhone no matter where I am? If this is so, I would not need the AIRCARD down South because the marina there has a wifi for all boats, as well, correct? Not challenging the suggestion , just trying to understand it.

 

[Boatsb]

I'm adding a Wi-Fi booster to a customers boat and it will tie in to the marina wifi. There's no need for an external system if the marina wifi is accesable.

 

[JLR]

As predicted, the Y.C. has decided not to keep any ports open for me. However, they say they are looking for a web based solution to replace my Axis server. Not sure what that means or at whose expense but if I could click a link and not have to pay a monthly fee, that sounds good to me. Anybody have an idea of what a web based solution replacing my Axis server might mean?

 

[MVCaprice]

As predicted, the Y.C. has decided not to keep any ports open for me. However, they say they are looking for a web based solution to replace my Axis server. Not sure what that means or at whose expense but if I could click a link and not have to pay a monthly fee, that sounds good to me. Anybody have an idea of what a web based solution replacing my Axis server might mean?

Can you post the brand / model of your cctv system? I'll take a look. I am considering writing a service to help folks in our situation.

 

[TROUBLE]

I installed a WirieAP on my boat last year and couldn't be happier. It sucks every available bit of Wi-fi where ever i go. I can even get my home network from the yacht club 4 miles away

Art

 

[MVCaprice]

I have some friends who have had good luck with the Ghost stuff, but its not cheap. There are a lot of high dollar setups out there, but not a lot of cheap ones it seems.

 

[JLR]

Can you post the brand / model of your cctv system? I'll take a look. I am considering writing a service to help folks in our situation.

I believe it is a 240Q.

 

[Boatsb]

Axis makes great stuff. they only need to have access to the internet. Is that the only issue your having with the yacht club?

Add a wifi booster like my customer and use the downtown cable company access points.\

 

[MVCaprice]

JLR,

You have 4 options from what I can see from Axis Docs...

1) Get a static IP from marina/YC or a dsl/cable provider and port forward. I am not aware of any cell providers which offer this functionality so this would really only work at your home port. Sounds like this is the model you can not longer use and are moving away from.

2) Drop a PC on the boat connect it to the network set it to never sleep and use team viewer to remote access. This works anywhere you have internet on the boat.

3) Buy another CCTV DVR that has "P2P" or "Cloud" functionality which enables you to remotely view it without port forwarding and inbound static IP's. Like option 2 this would enable your cameras to work anywhere you have connectivity.

4) Switch to IP or cameras which have individual cloud. This is sort of the off the deep end option as I'm sure you have nice marine grade cameras and wiring already installed.

I have a similar DVR and go with option 2 for 4 of my 5 cameras. The fifth works with cloud directly.

 

[JLR]

If I went with option two, I assume a laptop would work as well? Also, although it would loose power momentarily when switching over from shore power to genset and back, would it need to be manually re-booted each time to have it continue to lock on to the wifi at the Y.C.? As to option 3, I am not using a DVR now. By adding that type of DVR to the existing axis, would that work or does that eliminate the need for the axis?

 

[Pascal]

Most PC will not restart after power is lost and will need auto login to restart. A laptop will work as it will run on battery while power is transferred. Or you can use a PC with a battery back up. That what I use as well as on most satellite receivers as nowadays they take forever to restart.

But whether a PC or laptop you need to disable windows auto update otherwise they will restart on their own and hang at the login screen. Reconnecting to the wifi is usually automatic.