Know it alls I have a few Dlink DCS 932L security cameras to monitor a second home

[G+_Mike Showers]

Know it alls...I have a few Dlink DCS 932L security cameras to monitor a second home. I had been using them through the Dlink MyCloud Service. Last week the service went down, now I have to drive for four hours to unplug, then replug the cameras to get them to work.

 

My question is whether I could view the cameras without the cloud service anyway? It seems as though they are all small servers, with their own IP addresses inside of my home network. I would think that, if you know the addresses and can get a port through the firewall, you should be able to see them. Am I totally off base or is this something that should be doable?

[G+_Matt Koglin]

I don't know about that model specifically, but many cameras do host an accessible stream and web server that you can access if you've opened your firewall to allow it. I've got a couple of older Trendnet cameras, each assigned to their own port.

 

If you're really adventurous you might look into the open source ZoneMinder project: zoneminder.com - ZoneMinder - Home

[G+_Steven Traversino]

I had the same cameras a few years ago and got annoyed with having to login to each one to view them. Plus I wanted to setup some recording features. It's been a while but I believe I used a raspberry pi and motion to capture the image from each camera. With the raspberry pi you'd even be able to run a VPN and access them locally though their web config. Motion would be my solution though

[G+_Ben Reese]

It looks like those cameras are also on the compatibility list for Synology Surveillance Station. Of course, buying a Synology NAS would add a lot more cost than just replacing the cameras. If you have an old computer, though, Expenology is a "free" (if you have the hardware) option to run the Synology software yourself - including the Surveillance Station... Just a thought.

 

I really like the Pi idea too and that would be even cheaper if you can get it working. $50 to setup and probably pennies a day to run instead of the multiples of pennies it would cost to run a PC or even laptop.

 

VPN is a necessity for access (not really a necessity, just wouldn't recommend going without), but I'd really consider spinning my own instead of using the manufacturer's service - any day.

[G+_David Wiggins]

Ben Reese? has it pegged. You want to use VPN rather than basic port forwarding for a camera. Some routers will work as a VPN server, or you can set one up on something like a pi. Then You should have the ability to log into the camera.

[G+_Rud Dog]

Mike Showers It is exactly this reason I did not purchase these cameras fitted into front area light fixture. Liked the idea of the camera being hidden and power available readily. Unfortunately when I contacted the vendor I was told the monthly service fee and service were required. Deal breaker for me and you have experienced the reason for my shying away from the unit. If there is a way to bypass their service I would readily go back and pick up the camera/lightfixture product.

[G+_Mike Showers]

I haven't had to pay monthly since I don't ask for storage. My main concern is that the cameras were going through someone else's service, where I couldn't limit access. Who knows who at DLink has access to the camera feeds.

 

But I do have a few old PCs around that I've been thinking about repurposing. Perhaps Ben's idea to set up a NAS with Expenology is the answer. It'll be a new experience for me. Time to start investigating.

[G+_Mike Showers]

PS? Thanks to all who are trying to help this relative Noob.

[G+_Mike Showers]

I'm using an Apple AirPort Extreme as the router. I'm not sure how much flexibility it has to operate as a VPN server. I'm actually leaning towards getting one of the less expensive Synology NAS boxes though as I could also use it for offsite backup from my regular home. I'm not sure I know enough to set up my own server on an old computer.

[G+_Ben Reese]

Synology can run an OpenVPN server if you go that route. I've also run one on the original Pi B and now my OpenVPN server is a Debian VM.

I don't have any experience with the Apple routers, but I doubt they can act as an openvpn server without some software modifications. DD-WRT and probably Tomato and OpenWRT can act as an OpenVPN server or client.