Dahua camera System Service settings

[tigerwillow1]

The cameras have a long list of features that would seem to be of no use and/or a security risk for a small camera system. I realized that I don't know what a lot of them are, even though they are enabled by default. For example, on this settings page:


Do we need to have any of these enabled other than Onvif? Trying to look them up in the camera manual was a failure. The specific questions I have in the context of a typical residential cameras system are:

1. Do we have any use for SSH?
2. Do we have any use for multicast?
3. How does Password Reset work?
4. What is CGI service?
5. Do we have any use for Genetec Service?
6. What is Mobile Push?

The truncated setting is "Audio and Video Transmission Encryption", which I assume we have no use for.

 

[catcamstar]

Haai!

For a user with such a high post count, I find these kind of posts are nominated for the Google Search Awards in 2020

1. Do we have any use for SSH?
2. Do we have any use for multicast?
3. How does Password Reset work?
4. What is CGI service?
5. Do we have any use for Genetec Service?
6. What is Mobile Push?

1. SSH means SecureShell -> this provides one way to "login" on your camera and run (for example) commands and limited control functionality. Default = off and should remain off unless you know where SSH stands for ;-)
2. Multicast is a video streaming protocol is the opposite to single stream where the "server" opens one single "stream" to one single "client", which means that with 100 clients, you need 100 times the bandwidth. Multicast opens (just like radio stations) one "frequency" (read: one stream) of broadcasted data, everything is sent once on the wire, even with zero, one or 100 clients. This is a "bandwidth" saving option but REQUIRES your network to be compatible with it. Without proper settings in your network, multicast can kill your network throughput. As in bullet 1: if you don't have multiple recording/viewing devices, and if multicast never was on your priority list, stay away from it.
3. Password reset enables a password reset possibility for each user. Which can be annoying as userB might come buggering you as the user doesn't remember the latest password changes. Stay away from it.
4. CGI stands for common gateway interface, which is a "programming interface". Back in the WorldWideWeb days, you started with "static" HTM(L), then towards CGI scripting (simple yet dynamic pages) which where PHP nowadays is the common programming interface for the back-end. If you tick this box, your camera system will answer through the webinterface to commands. Which commands you ask? Google: DAHUA HTTP API INTERFACE. If you got afraid of these things, then leave it unticked ;-)
5. Genetic Service: Cloud Services | Genetec
6. Push messages is where you will receive on your mobile device/tablet "push notifications" from your camera. If you don't have a mobile device/tablet, leave it unticked ;-)

Hope this helps!
CC

 

[mat200]

..
1. Do we have any use for SSH?
2. Do we have any use for multicast?
3. How does Password Reset work?
4. What is CGI service?
5. Do we have any use for Genetec Service?
6. What is Mobile Push?

1. - can be useful for some of us.. if you don't use it, turn it off.
2. - multicast can be very useful.. I am guessing most of us are not using it. ( also this can jack up some networks / switches )
3. - hmm.. good question
4. - CGI = common gateway interface ( ? guessing - was a popular web technology.. I'd turn it off and see what breaks, if you don't notice anything.. then keep it off )
5. - Genetec Service?? hmmm don't know that one
6. Mobile Push - ... good question

 

[tigerwillow1]

For a user with such a high post count, I find these kind of posts are nominated for the Google Search Awards in 2020

Knee-jerk defense:
1. I did spend a couple of hours researching the Dahua web camera manual, this forum, and Internet before making this post.
2. I made sure I first knew what SSH, multicast, and Genetec were. Thus the question being "Do we have any use for?".
3. On this forum, searching SSH and CGI yields zero hits.
4. CGI on a search engine gets diluted in the noise of computer generated imagery and the IT company CGI. Genetic service refers to the company name, while CGI doesn't refer to the company name. Without prior knowledge, how does one navigate the inconsistency?

I really try hard to not waste others' time with things I can find by myself. Sure I slip up sometimes.
All that aside, you answered a lot for me, which I appreciate.

 

[catcamstar]

I really try hard to not waste others' time with things I can find by myself. Sure I slip up sometimes.
All that aside, you answered a lot for me, which I appreciate.

No worries, I did intentionally park a Smiley at the end of my sneaky attack ;-)

Dahua might better call these settings "advanced settings", although SSH and multicast are just (operating) system settings on the camera itself. The advanced terminology might scare of uneducated people more than "system settings".

Have a nice day!
CC

 

[scorp133]

Knee-jerk defense:
1. I did spend a couple of hours researching the Dahua web camera manual, this forum, and Internet before making this post.
2. I made sure I first knew what SSH, multicast, and Genetec were. Thus the question being "Do we have any use for?".
3. On this forum, searching SSH and CGI yields zero hits.
4. CGI on a search engine gets diluted in the noise of computer generated imagery and the IT company CGI. Genetic service refers to the company name, while CGI doesn't refer to the company name. Without prior knowledge, how does one navigate the inconsistency?

I really try hard to not waste others' time with things I can find by myself. Sure I slip up sometimes.
All that aside, you answered a lot for me, which I appreciate.

FWIW, I've spent the last 10 mins trying to google 'Dahua System Service', 'Dahua CGI Service', 'Dahua System Service Genetec', etc and this thread was the first and only result that had an actual answer. Thanks for asking the question because I was about to!

On both my HFW4239T-ASE and B5442E-ZE all the system services are enabled by default except for SSH and Audio and Video Transmission Encryption. It sounds like I should disable the entire page as I only plan to have the cameras connect to an NVR.

 

[looney2ns]

I know this is old, but I just ran across it.
If you disable Multicast/Broadcast, the Dahua IP Config Tool won't find the camera, is the only thing I have found it affects.

 

[eeeeesh]

I know this is old, but I just ran across it.
If you disable Multicast/Broadcast, the Dahua IP Config Tool won't find the camera, is the only thing I have found it affects.

I disabled some services in my Dahua cams and then noticed a couple days later I was having some issues (too dark, not in focus, etc). I tracked it down to to the Dahua Sunrise Sunset Utility not being able to connect. It appears that CGI service is required - at least it fixed my 2 cams

Simple check in a browser -

http://CAM IP HERE/cgi-bin/devVideoInput.cgi?action=getFocusStatus

with CGI off generates a 404 Not Found error. With CGI on it pulls the focus and zoom

And I was able to confirm with Multicast off - the Dahua IP Config Tool won't find the cams - although I am thinking it is better with it off?

 

[looney2ns]

I disabled some services in my Dahua cams and then noticed a couple days later I was having some issues (too dark, not in focus, etc). I tracked it down to to the Dahua Sunrise Sunset Utility not being able to connect. It appears that CGI service is required - at least it fixed my 2 cams

Simple check in a browser -

http://CAM IP HERE/cgi-bin/devVideoInput.cgi?action=getFocusStatus

with CGI off generates a 404 Not Found error. With CGI on it pulls the focus and zoom

And I was able to confirm with Multicast off - the Dahua IP Config Tool won't find the cams - although I am thinking it is better with it off?

Yeah, multicast is off in my cams. I don't care if they can be found with IPconfig. Only care about some new cams.