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Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Common Problems and Solutions

Wireless-B Internet Video Camera

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

This appendix consists of two parts: “Common Problems and Solutions” and “Frequently Asked Questions.” This

appendix provides solutions to problems that may occur during the installation and operation of the Wireless-B

Internet Video Camera. Read the description below to solve your problems. If you can't find an answer here,

check the Linksys website at

www.linksys.com

.

Common Problems and Solutions

1.

I can’t view the Camera’s video using Internet Explorer.

Make sure the OCX plug-in was correctly installed. If you’re not sure, re-install the plug-in by following these

instructions:

•

On the

Welcome

screen of the Camera’s Web-based Utility, click the

View Video

button.

•

A screen mentioning a security warning about an OCX plug-in will appear. Click the

Yes

button to allow

the plug-in to be installed.

•

You should then be able to view the Camera’s streaming video.

If you still cannot view the video, make sure you have the rights to install the plug-in in your PC’s Internet

Explorer. If not, log into your computer as an administrator and install the plug-in.

Then you can check if the OCX plug-in has been installed. Follow these instructions:

•

From Internet Explorer, go to

Tools

and

Internet Options

.

•

On the General screen, click

Settings

under

Temporary Internet files

.

•

Click

View Objects

. You should see a file named NetCamPlayerWeb Control installed.

2.

The OCX plug-in is installed in Internet Explorer, but I cannot view any video.

Make sure you have Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher installed. Then delete the OCX plug-in by

following these instructions:

•

From Internet Explorer, go to

Tools

and

Internet Options

.

•

On the General screen, click

Settings

under

Temporary Internet files

.

•

Click

View Objects

.

•

You should see a file named NetCamPlayerWeb Control installed. Delete this file from the list.

•

The next time you click View Video from the web browser, you will be prompted to re-install the OCX plug-

in.

3.

When powering on the Camera, I can’t immediately access the Camera from my computer.

Make sure the Camera’s Ready LED is continuously lit. When it is flashing, the Camera is initializing.

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Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Common Problems and Solutions

Wireless-B Internet Video Camera

4.

I’m not able to play my recording video files.

Make sure you have Microsoft Windows Media Player 7 or higher. If you don’t, you can download the latest

version from

www.microsoft.com

.

5.

I want to set up an account with the SoloLink DDNS Service, but I can’t access the SoloLink website

to sign up.

Make sure the Camera is properly configured on your local network. Then check to see if your PC and Camera

are properly connected and your network has an active Internet connection.

6.

When I view the video, it seems blurry.

Adjust the Camera’s focus by rotating its dark gray focus ring.

7.

When I view video remotely via the Internet, the video is very slow.

Video performance is greatly affected by your Internet connection speed. You can lower the Camera’s image

quality to speed up the video. Through the Camera’s Web-based Utility, click the

Setup

and

Image

tabs, and

then lower the image quality on the

Image

screen.

8.

I cannot access the Setup tab of the Camera’s Web-based Utility.

Make sure you have administrator rights. Only an administrator can change the Camera’s settings.

9.

I want to access the Camera when I’m away from home, but somehow I can’t connect.

If your network uses a dynamic IP address supplied by your ISP, then the IP address you use to reach the

Camera will change as well. You need to use the Linksys SoloLink DDNS Service, so you can access the

Camera using its domain name while the service keeps track of the IP address changes. To set up a Dynamic

Domain Name Service (DDNS) account, click the

Setup

tab of the Camera’s Web-based Utility. Click the

SoloLink DDNS

tab. If you are a new user, click

New User? - Click here to Register

. Follow the on-screen

instructions.

You can also set up the Linksys SoloLink DDNS Service by inserting the Setup CD-ROM into your PC’s CD-ROM

drive. Click the

Setup SoloLink DDNS Service

button, and follow the on-screen instructions. For more

information, see “Chapter 7: Setting up the Linksys SoloLink DDNS Service.”

Important: To allow remote access to the Camera, you will also have to use the port forwarding feature on

your network router.

10.I already set up my SoloLink DDNS account, but I can’t access the Camera from a remote location.

Follow these instructions:

•

When you enter the Camera’s domain name, make sure it is in this format:

http://

<Device Name>.<Location ID>

.ourlinksys.com

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Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless-B Internet Video Camera

The <Device Name> is the name you gave the Camera when you ran the Setup Wizard. The <Location ID>

is the name you selected when you set up your SoloLink DDNS account.

•

If the Camera is set to DHCP, make sure your local network is working properly and your router has an

active Internet connection.

•

If the Camera uses a static IP address, insert the Setup CD-ROM into your network PC’s CD-ROM drive.

Click the

Setup

button and follow the on-screen instructions. When you see the

IP Settings

screen, make

sure the Camera’s Default Gateway and Primary DNS addresses are correct. For more information, refer

to “Chapter 5: Setting up and Mounting the Wireless-B Internet Video Camera.”

11.On the Status screen of the Camera’s Web-based Utility, I see this message in the System Log, “NTP

server:no server suitable for synchronization found.”

This message indicates that the Camera is unable to locate the Network Time Protocol (NTP) server to

synchronize its time setting. The Camera will automatically try again. Verify the following:

•

If you have assigned a static IP address to the Camera, make sure you have completed at least one of the

DNS

fields on the

Basic

screen.

•

Make sure the Camera is properly connected to your network, and its Internet connection is active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I view video using a Macintosh or Netscape Navigator?

The Camera is designed for computers running a Windows operating system and Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher.

You cannot view video on a Macintosh. If you only have Netscape, you can view video using the Viewer &

Recorder Utility. See “Chapter 6: Installing and Using the Wireless-B Internet Video Camera Viewer & Recorder

Utility.”

Can I directly connect the Camera to wired and wireless networks at the same time?

No. Before powering on the Camera, you should decide if you want to connect the Camera to a wireless network

via an access point or to a wired network. If your wireless and wired networks are bridged, then you can access

the Camera from any networked computer, but the Camera must be directly connected to only one of the

networks.

To connect the Camera to a wireless network, power on the Camera with no network cable attached. The Camera

will be ready for use when the Ready and Wireless LEDs are lit continuously.

To connect the Camera to a wired network, connect the network cable to the Camera, and then power it on. The

Camera will be ready for use when the Ready and LAN LEDs are lit continuously.

Can I install the Camera outdoors?

No, the Camera was not designed for outdoors usage.

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Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless-B Internet Video Camera

I’ve recorded video for a few hours. Why do I see multiple files saved on my computer?

The recording function saves video in chunks; each chunk is a maximum of one hour in duration. For example, if

you have recorded five continuous hours, then you will see five files saved on your computer. This keeps files

from getting too large.

Do I need to install the Linksys Viewer and Recorder Utility?

Installation is optional. You can view video using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher. If you don’t want to use

the recording function, then you don’t need to install the Viewer and Recorder Utility.

Where can I find more information about the Linksys SoloLink DDNS Service?

You can go to

www.linksys.com/sololink

for more information.

Can I specify who gets to view the Camera’s video?

Yes. Access the Camera’s Web-based Utility, and click the

Setup

tab. After you log in, click the

Users

tab. You

will be able to restrict access to users you have entered in the database. See “Chapter 8: Using the Wireless-B

Internet Video Camera Web-based Utility.”

Can I add a time stamp to the video?

Yes. Access the Camera’s Web-based Utility, and click the

Setup

tab. After you log in, click the

Image

tab. You

will be able to add a time stamp as well as descriptive text to the video. See “Chapter 8: Using the Wireless-B

Internet Video Camera Web-based Utility.”

How many users can view the Camera’s video at the same time?

Users at four different PCs can simultaneously view the Camera’s video.

What is the IEEE 802.11b standard?

It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The 802.11b standard allows wireless networking hardware

from different manufacturers to communicate, provided that the hardware complies with the 802.11b standard.

The 802.11b standard states a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

What is ad-hoc mode?

When a wireless network is set to ad-hoc mode, the wireless-equipped computers are configured to

communicate directly with each other. The ad-hoc wireless network will not communicate with any wired

network.

What is infrastructure mode?

When a wireless network is set to infrastructure mode, the wireless network is configured to communicate with

a wired network through a wireless access point or router.

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Appendix B: Wireless Security

A Brief Overview

Wireless-B Internet Video Camera

Appendix B: Wireless Security

A Brief Overview

Whenever data—in the form of files, emails, or messages—is transmitted over your wireless network, it is open

to attacks. Wireless networking is inherently risky because it broadcasts information on radio waves. Just like

signals from your cellular or cordless phone can be intercepted, signals from your wireless network can also be

compromised. What are the risks inherent in wireless networking? Read on.

What Are The Risks?

Computer network hacking is nothing new. With the advent of wireless networking, hackers use methods both

old and new to do everything from stealing your bandwidth to stealing your data. There are many ways this is

done, some simple, some complex. As a wireless user, you should be aware of the many ways they do this.

Every time a wireless transmission is broadcast, signals are sent out from your wireless PC or access point, but

not always directly to its destination. The receiving PC or access point can hear the signal because it is within

that radius. Just as with a cordless phone, cellular phone, or any kind of radio device, anyone else within that

radius, who has their device set to the same channel or bandwidth can also receive those transmission.

Wireless networks are easy to find. Hackers know that, in order to join a wireless network, your wireless PC will

typically first listen for “beacon messages”. These are identifying packets transmitted from the wireless network

to announce its presence to wireless nodes looking to connect. These beacon frames are decrypted and contain

much of the network’s information, such as the network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier) and the IP address of the

network PC or access point. The SSID is analogous to the network's name. With this information broadcast to

anyone within range, hackers are often provided with just the information they need to access that network.

One result of this, seen in many large cities and business districts, is called “Warchalking”. This is the term used

for hackers looking to access free bandwidth and free Internet access through your wireless network. The marks

they chalk into the city streets are well documented in the Internet and communicate exactly where available

wireless bandwidth is located for the taking.

Even keeping your network settings, such as the SSID and the channel, secret won’t prevent a hacker from

listening for those beacon messages and stealing that information. This is why most experts in wireless

networking strongly recommend the use of WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy). WEP encryption scrambles your

wireless signals so they can only be recognized within your wireless network.

Figure B-1: Warchalking

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