sky broadband and ipcam

[skybuddy]

I am trying to use an old android phone as an ip cam using the app IPWebcam , everything is ok when the viewing device is connected to the sky network but I can`t seem to access the feed when viewing from an external network. I have setup port forwarding for port 8080 and added the rule to the firewall section have also looked up the external ip address for that time but still no joy. My main aim is to view the images from another android phone using tiny cam monitor when out and about .

Can this be done on a sky router ?

[skybuddy]

managed to get it working by putting the "send to lan server" to the same ip address as the phone being used as the webcam. works a treat only problem being if the external ip address changes..

[Scubbie]

Yes it can.

A couple of things that you need to do though:

Set up a fixed IP Address for the old phone. This is best done by reserving an IP Address on the router.

IP Address Reservation

Personally I would suggest using an IP Address from 200 up as this makes it easier to spot reserved items.

As for the rule, use the following settings:

Services - Add Custom Service - PORT FORWARDING

Service Definition
Name:	AndroidIPCam
Type:	TCP/UDP
Start Port:	8080
Finish Port:	8080

Of course you are able to change the default ports to something of your choosing. This will need to be done both in the app and on the router. Click apply and save the service.

Next the firewall rule needs to be setup. Navigate to the page and click to 'Add' a new rule. Set up the fire wall similar to the screenshot below, using the IP Address you have reserved for the old phone.



Finally click 'Apply'.

This page should help too: Port forwarding - Setting up Port forwarding (use existing & set up custom services)

[skybuddy]

Thanks for the excellent write up - any idea how often sky changes the external ip address on the router ? Are there any free services that are similar to dyn.org that work with sky...

[Scubbie]

For the present time you have a few difficulties in that area.

dyndns is no longer free and is the only service currently supported on all the Sky routers. Sky are working to add some additional services (perhaps just one, I don't have all the details yet). When the updated firmware will be released I can't say as it is still being developed.

Other free services include no-ip, dns dynamic and free dns. There are many more. Please use google (or some other search engine) and use the terms 'dynamic dns'. You can install an app that can be run on a PC which will work with these services. The PC would need to be left on all the time as your IP Address could change at any time and Murphy's Laws dictate that it'll change when you want to use it.

In practise the WAN IP Address changes infrequently. It may stay the same for a few months or change after a week or two. If DLM kicks in, it'll change each time, and that could last a few days.

One way around this would be to upgrade to the Pro product. That'll cost you an extra £5 per month though and you'll likely lose any discount you might currently have.