Tutorial: Using WiLife Set Camera IP tool

This article applies to the following products:
All WiLife camera kits

This article applies to the following products:
Windows Vista
Windows XP

     
Each WiLifeTM  Camera, by default, searches for a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)  server when starting to obtain an IP address. When using our cameras with a USB adapter, the WiLife Command Center automatically provides each camera with an IP address in the 172.29.xxx.xxx range. Additionally, when using WiLife Cameras on a LAN (Local Area Network), the cameras will use IP addresses assigned by the LAN DHCP server – typically served by a router on the LAN. This is typically the case when using the WiLife Pro product.

In some cases users may wish to assign specific addresses to their cameras, either to meet the needs of a specific network design or because there is no LAN DHCP server. In either case, the WiLife Set Camera IP Tool may be used to assign the desired address.  The tool is contained within the WiLife software, normally located by navigating to Program Files\WiLife Command Center\tools\SupportTools.zip.

Overview
The WiLife IP Set Camera tool is a single executable named WiLifeSetIPAddress.exe. When you run the program it searches the network for cameras that already have an address, or for ones that are searching for an address. The table lists each component of the tool, together with a short definition of its purpose:

Setting Camera IP Addresses
WiLifeSetIPAddess.exe	Executable program
WiLifeSetIPAddress.ini	IP Address database created by the set IP tool on first run. The file contains a list of camera MAC addresses and IP addresses.
WiLifeSetIPAddress.log	Log file created by the set IP tool on first run. It contains a history of each operation.

Because the WiLife Set IP tool is a self contained executable, you can copy it and use it in any windows directory. No setup or special installation is necessary. You can set a new IP address for each camera using the instructions below.

Operation Instructions:
Follow these instructions for using the WiLife Set IP tool:

1. 1. Close the WiLife Command Center (run only one program at a time to avoid conflicts).
2. Connect each camera to the network and use a paper clip to reset the camera by gently pressing the button below the small reset hole in the bottom or back of the camera.
3. Run the WiLifeSetIPAddress program.
4. Select a network card (if you have more than one) from the drop down list, to which your cameras are connected.
5. Click the Start button to start the search process. Each camera will be shown on a separate line, displaying its MAC address.
6. Click the IP Address field for each camera whose IP address you want to change and enter a new IP address. The valid WiLife camera IP address is related with the local network card IP address. For example, if your local network card IP address is 192.168.1.2, then the valid WiLife camera IP address is 192.168.1.*.
7. Click the Set button to write the new address to the cameras. The program will warn you if you select an IP address that does not match your selected network. Once the IP address and set, the program will save your camera MAC address and this new IP into the IP address database.
8. Click exit to close the program

Notes:
If you hardware reset your camera  with paper clip or updated firmware after setting the IP address, the camera will erase the address.

Simply rerun the program to assign an IP to your camera again. If your camera is already in the database, the program will find the original IP address in the database for your camera automatically. Simply click the set button to rewrite it to the camera.

You can also change your camera IP address even your camera already has been assigned an IP address. The program will save the new IP address into the database after you change your camera IP address.