IP Camera Learning blog

HOWTO: Set up Panasonic BB-HNP15 Network Camera Recorder Software for Remote Access

April 29th, 2009 by Greg Innes

Perhaps a little known fact about Panasonic’s BB-HNP15 Network Camera Recorder software is its ability to be accessed remotely. By remotely we mean that you can install the software on the main PC (server) and then use another PC (client) to access the software. This can be done on the local network, or even across the Internet.

Here are a couple of points to note before we start.

1. You can only ever have 1 remote connection to the server at any one time. This means multiple people cannot all view the cameras/recordings simultaneously. However, you can still view the cameras/recordings on the actual server while someone is viewing them remotely but some functions may be limited when 2 people are viewing in the way.

2. To set up either a server or a client requires 1 license of the software, so, if you want to set up remote access you will need to buy 2 copies of BB-HNP15, 1 for the server and 1 for the client. For each further client you would require another copy of the software (but remember only 1 remote client can connect at the same time)

The procedure for setting this up is very simple. Here’s how it’s done:

HOWTO

Step 1 – Install the software

Before you can set up remote access you must first install the software. Install the software normally on to the PC that you want the main system to run from. This will become the server.

Once installed you are free to add your camera’s etc. as you would normally then when you are happy you have set up your surveillance system you can then set up remote access to it.

Step 2 – Configure the server

You will perform this step on the main PC which is on the same network as your security cameras and the one which remote connections will access.

From the menu bar select [Remote Access] then [Settings]

You will see a screen similar to the one shown below:

To set up the server you need check the box marked: “Use Remote Access Connection”

Then fill out the settings for your server as described:

Port: Enter a port number here. The default is 10082 and it’s best to stick to that unless you wish to use a port of your choice.

Admin User Name/Admin Password: Enter the required username and password for administrator privileges (4-15 alphanumeric characters)

User Name/Admin Password: Enter the required username and password for general user privileges (4-15 alphanumeric characters)

Click ‘OK’ to save the settings.

Step 3 – Install and set up the client

The ‘client’ is the name given to the PC which will remotely access the main PC running in server mode.

First install the software on the PC you wish to access the server from. Once installed you need to set it up as a client. To do this select [Remote Access] then [Settings] from the menu bar. You should see a screen similar to the one below:

Check the box marked “Use Remote Access Connection” and then check the option to “Operate as a Client” and click “OK”.

A warning dialog will pop up asking you to restart the program. Please click “OK” to restart.

Step 4 – Connecting to the server from a remote client

Select [Remote Access] then [New Connect] from the menu bar.

This will open a dialog such as this:

Enter the server address and port number to continue. The port number is the same as the one you specified in Step 2. The server address is the IP address of the server PC you set up in Step 2 or you can use a domain name here also.

If you get a successful connection you will be shown the ‘Remote Access Authentication’ page. To access your recording software you will need to either enter the admin username and password for administrator privileges or the general user password for general user privileges .

The system will work out the privilege level automatically based on successful authentication of password.

Note the first time you connect to a remote server the remote client code is registered on the client control page of the remote server. Only one remote client can be connected to a server at any one time. If you attempt to connect to a server when there is a client already connected you will receive an error message.

Note: If you want to set up remote access across the Internet you will need to allow access to the server port through the firewall of the router on the server’s network. This is a process known as port-forwarding. More information here: http://www.networkwebcams.co.uk/blog/2007/10/22/howto-port-forwarding-101/

Finish

Thats all you need to do to set up remote access.

If you have any questions or feedback please leave your comments below.