Most of our NVRs' have the ability to provide IP addresses to devices automatically. This process is done by enabling DHCP Server for either Network 1 or Network 2 interface of the NVR. There are two built-in interfaces that will divide the load of the NVR. By default, the Network 1 interface will manage the camera's network to display images on the NVR and the Network 2 interface will manage the Viewer or streaming over the LAN. Overall, the Subnet or IP range of Network 1 and Network 2 must be on separate blocks so the bandwidth is balanced and have optimal performance.

          In most cases, the client will have a flat network and they would like the NVR on the same LAN (Local Network) so it may be accessible. As an Integrator, the network will need to be checked for DHCP Servers. There are times where DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is enabled on the client's network so IP addresses are handed out to all workstations and network devices.  If there is more than one DHCP Server, it will cause all hosts to have IP conflicts or major disruptions on the entire LAN.

          To avoid this issue, the DHCP Server will need to be disabled for the Viewer Interface (Network 2) and have the Camera Interface (Network 1) enabled so it is ideal to automatically assign IP addresses to new cameras.

This feature is available under the "NETWORK" setup and then go to "DHCP SERVER"

Then verify under the "INTERFACE" setup make sure the setup of Network 2 is set to "STATIC" and Network 1 to "DHCP".

If the client would like to utilize the Network 2 as a Secondary DHCP Server, its very important for the integrator to know how Subnetting and VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Mask) is configured on the network. They will need to set the IP range and lease time that will not conflict with their Primary DHCP server's IP range or subnet. Then go set the NVR's Network 2 interface to "DHCP".